NBA Buffs: Buffs Who Have Blossomed In The NBA

On March 30, CU basketball standout Jabari Walker announced that he would enter his name into the 2022 NBA Draft after spending two years with the program. A dynamic player who led the PAC-12 in double doubles this past season, Walker will look to become the first CU player drafted since Tyler Bey in 2020. Having cast multiple players into the NBA pool, we look at five CU alumni who have had and continue to have the most successful careers in the NBA following their time at Colorado.

Chauncey Billups, 17 Year NBA Veteran, CU ‘95-’97

Having played for seven different teams throughout his prestigious NBA career, Chauncey Billups would go on to have the most illustrious career of any NBA Buff. Going third overall in the 1997 NBA Draft, Billups list of accolades in the NBA compare to some of the best to ever do it. Winning NBA Finals MVP in 2004 with the Detroit Pistons and a three-time All-NBA selection, Billups would go on to average double-digit points for eleven consecutive years. 

Earning the respect of both players and coaches in the league for his floor general approach, Billups is one of the most admired competitors in the history of the game. Earning himself the nickname, Mr. Big-Shot, for his late game heroics, Billups 15.2 points per game throughout his NBA career are the most by a CU Alumni. Having retired from the NBA in 2014, Billups was named head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers prior to the 2021-2022 season and continues to look for his name to be entered into the Naismith Hall of Fame.

Scott Wedman, 13 Year NBA Veteran, CU ‘71-‘74

Aside from Billups, no other CU Alum went on to earn more NBA accolades than Scott Wedman. Drafted sixth overall in the 1974 NBA Draft (also drafted second overall in the ABA Draft), Wedman represented the Kansas City-Omaha Kings as part of the NBA All-Rookie Team in his first year as a professional. From then on, Wedman saw continual success throughout the rest of his career. A two-time NBA All-Star and All-NBA Defensive Team selection, the Colorado native would find himself in a starting role during the entirety of his tenure in Kansas City. 

Despite having what many consider a solid NBA career, Wedman may best be known for his contributions as a reserve on a stacked Boston Celtics team during the 1980s. Featuring Hall of Famers such as Larry Bird and Kevin McHale, The 1984-1985 Celtics would find themselves facing off against the Los Angeles Lakers in game one of the NBA Finals. 

Wedman would come off the bench and drain 11 consecutive field goals, a still-standing NBA Finals record. The series would be one of two that would grant Wedman the title of NBA Champion, making him the first Buffs Alum to be part of an NBA championship team.

Jay Humphries, 11 Year NBA Veteran, CU ‘80-‘84

By the time Jay Humphries’s tenure at the University of Colorado had come to an end, he was the school’s all-time leader in games played (112), assists (562), and steals (309).  A tenacious defender, Humphries ranked top three in the NCAA  in steals in both 1983 and 1984. He earned the do-it-all point guard Big Eight Conference honors in back to back years. 

The 13th overall in a 1984 draft class that comprised future Hall of Famers such as Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley,  Humphries would find himself landing in Phoenix to begin his NBA career. An immediate impact player who would play four seasons for the Suns, Humphries would then land in Milwaukee where he found the most success throughout his career. 

Playing an important role in the Bucks’ run to the 1989 Eastern Conference Semifinals, Humphries blossomed into one of the NBA’s premier guards. Also having tenures in Utah and Boston, Humphries finished his career racking up 8,938 points, 4,424 rebounds, 2,033 assists, and 1,161 steals. Humphries 1.46 steals per game is also a top 100 mark in NBA history.

Spencer Dinwiddie, Active NBA Player, CU ‘11-‘14

The most recent player on this list to come out of the University of Colorado is Spencer Dinwiddie. He went into the NBA outperforming skeptics expectations. A second-round draft pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, Dinwiddie was off to a slow start in the league before exploding onto the scene during the 2017-2018 season. Averaging double-digit points in four of the past five seasons, Dinwiddie found himself finishing fourth in voting for the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year award at the end of the 2019-2020 season.

 Having battled multiple ACL injuries since then,  Dinwiddie has proven to be a key starter for teams around the league when healthy. Dinwiddie is currently a member of the Dallas Mavericks after being dealt away from the Washington Wizards in a trade this season. Dinwiddie has become a key contributor to the Mavericks, scoring in double figures through his first sixteen appearances with the team, averaging 16.4 points per game. 

Alec Burks, Active NBA Player, CU ‘09-‘11

One of the first players to blossom at CU during the Tad Boyle era, Alec Burks chose to take his talents to the NBA after only two seasons at Colorado. Earning himself national recognition for his stellar play in the Big 12 Conference, Burks would be selected by the Utah Jazz with the 12th overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft.

From there, the 6’6 shooting guard has gone on to have a solid career as a reserve while also seeing minutes as a starter, averaging ten points a game. A player who has delivered great depth to a number of teams throughout his career, Burks would spend eight seasons with the Jazz before bouncing around the league and seeing the floor for five different teams during a two year span. It looks as though Burks has found a place to call home however, as the play-making guard has spent the past two seasons with the New York Knicks, seeing minutes as a starter in 42 games this year and averaging 11.6 points per game.

Honorable Mentions 

• Matt Bullard (1994 NBA Champion) 
• Andre Roberson (2017 NBA All-Defensive Second Team)