Where Is Every 2016 McDonald’s All-American Today?
Another week, another flash into the past. This time around, the time machine pivots to 2016—and we might be looking at one of the deepest classes we’ve covered yet.
Lonzo Ball. De’Aaron Fox. Jayson Tatum. And somehow? That still barely scratches the surface.
This wasn’t a class where two or three prospects separated themselves and everyone else faded into obscurity. Damn near half of these McDonald’s All-Americans went on to carve out above average NBA careers. We’re talking All-NBA selections, All-Stars, NBA champions, franchise stars and some of the best role players of their generation—all sharing the same high school spotlight once upon a time.
Not every five-star recruit lived up to the billing. Some became better than anyone could have imagined, and others went from future lottery picks to complete basketball obscurity.
So just how stacked was the 2016 McDonald’s All-American class—and who actually became the player we thought they would?
Let’s break it all down.
East
Andrew Jones (G)
Andrew Jones was an absolute monster at MacArthur High in Irving, Texas. The 6'4" combo guard averaged 30 points a night, 10.0 rebounds, and 7.0 assists per game while leading MacArthur to a 22–7 record, earning not just a 2016 McDonald's All-American jersey but a Jordan Brand Classic selection as well. He had a lightning quick first-step, great speed and an elite three-point jumper, as well as the ability to play on and off the ball. Jones committed to Texas, where alongside Jarrett Allen, he averaged 11.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game as a freshman. Draft scouts projected him as a potential first-round pick, but he made the decision to return to Austin for his sophomore year.
Unfortunately, the tables turned fast. Off to a scorching start as a second-year, Jones received a diagnosis for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. He underwent aggressive chemotherapy and spent two full seasons away from competition. Did he let that stop his pro-hoop dreams? Not even a little. Jones beat cancer, achieved remission, and returned to the floor in 2019. By 2020–21, he led Texas in scoring with 14.6 points per game and received the Perry Wallace Most Courageous Award. After going undrafted in 2022, Jones has carved out a solid pro career overseas, playing in Germany, France, New Zealand and more.
Bam Adebayo (C)
Before he was breaking records at the NBA level, Bam was dominating as North Carolina's best basketball prospect. As a junior at Northside High, he averaged 32 points and 21 rebounds a game before transferring to High Point for better competition. At 6'10", Bam could force his way into the paint, send shots flying and was an emphatic dunker. Committing to Kentucky alongside fellow All-Americans De'Aaron Fox and Malik monk, Bam had a standout freshman season and helped the Wildcats clinch a 32-6 record. Drafted 14th overall to the Heat, Bam has since become the longest-tenured player on the roster and one of the defining faces of Miami basketball. He developed from an athletic energy big into a three-time All-Star, five-time All-Defensive selection, two-time Olympic gold medalist and centerpiece of two NBA Finals runs.
His offensive game expanded considerably as well, evolving into a dependable midrange scorer, facilitator and increasingly willing three-point shooter. Then came one of the most ridiculous nights in NBA history. On March 10, 2026, Adebayo erupted for 83 points against Washington, passing Kobe Bryant’s 81 for the second-highest single-game scoring total ever and trailing only Wilt Chamberlain’s 100. For a player once viewed primarily as a defensive-minded, undersized center, that's unimaginable offensive development.
De'Aaron Fox
De'Aaron "Swipa" Fox is one of the league's best guards today. Equipped with game-changing speed, Fox didn't just meet his top-five recruit projections—he evolved from a track star with a basketball into an All-NBA guard. At Cypress Lakes High School in Texas, Fox was an untouchable force, putting up 31.3 points, 7.2 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 2.8 steals per game. Fox possessed arguably the fastest end-to-end speed in high school basketball history, featuring an elite first step, relentless downhill attack instincts, craftiness at the rim, and intense on-ball perimeter defense. Fox committed to John Calipari at Kentucky, joining Bam and a stacked roster. Fox was the primary floor general, averaging 16.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.5 steals per game while recording just the second triple-double in Kentucky program history.
Drafted 5th overall to the Sacramento Kings, Fox spent eight seasons as the team's lead guard before getting traded to the San Antonio Spurs. In 2022–23, he snapped the Kings' 16-year playoff drought, earning All-NBA Third Team, an All-Star selection, and winning the inaugural NBA Clutch Player of the Year Award. In 2023–24 he averaged a career-high 26.6 points and led the league in steals. In San Antonio, he helped the Spurs make the NBA Finals as one of the team's vets. It's safe to say that his career has been a total home run.
Jayson Tatum (F)
With hands down the best career arc on this list, Jayson Tatum has already put together a near Hall-of-Fame career. He's the rare example of a highly touted isolation scorer whose game translated flawlessly to the modern NBA. Evolving from a mid-range specialist into a complete two-way superstar, Tatum erased any doubts about his ceiling and became a championship centerpiece in Boston. At Chaminade Prep, Tatum was a 6'8" prodigy who turned heads by dropping 40 to secure the state championship. Lauded as the most polished offensive player in the 2016 class, he possessed elite footwork, incredible body control, and a lethal mid-range turnaround jumper that drew heavy comparisons to Carmelo Anthony and Paul Pierce. Tatum committed to Coach K at Duke, where he quickly found his rhythm after missing the first eight games to injury.
Putting up 16.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game, he led the Blue Devils to the 2017 ACC Tournament Championship, earned Third-Team All-ACC honors, and flaunted an NBA ready offensive package. The Boston Celtics famously traded the first overall pick to the third specifically to draft Tatum, and it went down as one of the best draft-day maneuvers in modern history. Tatum arrived instantly, putting the league on notice when he famously dunked on LeBron James in Game 7 of the 2018 Eastern Conference Finals as a rookie. He completely shattered his high school scouting report, transforming into an elite volume 3-point shooter and a high-level playmaker. Fast-forward to now and he's a 6x All-Star with an NBA title.
Kobi Simmons (G)
Simmons had that "tall point guard" allure that scouts absolutely drool over. Coming out of St. Francis High School in Georgia, he was an absolute blur. At 6'5", he was a match-up nightmare for traditional point guards, torching the competition his senior year to the tune of 26.0 points, 4.0 assists, and 4.0 rebounds per game, culminating in a 36-point eruption (with seven three-pointers) in the state semi-finals. He was incredible in the open floor, able to get to the rim with either hand, and had a quick first step that left defenders in the dust. Simmons committed to Sean Miller's Arizona Wildcats and dropped 18 points in his debut against Michigan State. The sad part? That was sort of his collegiate peak.
He appeared in 37 games (starting 19), averaging 8.7 points, 1.6 rebounds, and 2.0 assists and immediately declared for the draft in a move that didn't sit well with scouts. Simmons went undrafted, but managed to carve out minutes with multiple NBA franchises: he caught on with the Memphis Grizzlies as a rookie, playing 32 games (starting 12) and averaging 6.1 points, and over the years, had short stints with the Cavs, Hornets and Raptors. In total, Simmons has played just over 40 games (averaging 5 points), and has ultimately made the popular decision to play overseas to maximize his career.
Markelle Fultz (G)
Markelle Fultz’s trajectory is one of the most baffling and unfortunate "what-ifs" in NBA Draft history. Coming out of Washington in 2017, he was viewed as the perfect modern combo guard—a three-level scorer with a smooth handle and great size who easily led the Pac-12 in scoring. After a solid showing at DeMatha Catholic High where he grew from 5'9" to 6'3" between his sophomore and junior seasons, Fultz committed to Washington where he terrorized NCAA hoops as the best point guard by far. Putting up 23, 5 and 5, Fultz surpassed Lonzo Ball as the number one prospect in the nation. He was drafted first overall to the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2017 NBA Draft, but what happened next was far from picture perfect. Shortly after being drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers, Fultz completely lost the ability to shoot. What the media initially diagnosed as a psychological block was eventually diagnosed as Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS), a condition where the nerves between the neck and shoulder are compressed. He played just 33 games across both his rookie and sophomore seasons before Philly cut their losses and traded him to the Orlando Magic.
Away from the spotlight, Fultz actually staged an impressive career pivot. Recognizing his elite pull-up jump shot might never fully return, he leaned into his size, high basketball IQ, and athleticism. He transformed himself from a dynamic scoring machine into a gritty, pass-first role player who excelled at driving the paint and playing solid perimeter defense. But just as he was carving out a legitimate redemption arc, his body failed him again and he tore his ACL in 2021. Fultz managed to come back in 2022 for 14 points a night, but the physical ailments and tolls made it hard to stick around and secure a reliable contract and roster spot.
Miles Bridges (F)
A freakish athlete who built a reputation as one of the most violent highlight-reel dunkers in high school hoops, Bridges has become everything fans predicted he'd be. Hailing from Flint, Michigan, Bridges played his early high school ball at Flint Southwestern before transferring to national powerhouse Huntington Prep in West Virginia. At 6'7" and 225 pounds with an explosive vertical leap, Bridges was built like an NFL tight end. Scouts raved about his powerful downhill attacks, transition scoring, and rebounding. He chose to stay home and play at Michigan State, where he made an immediate splash, averaging 16.9 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game while winning Big Ten Freshman of the Year. Despite being projected as a guaranteed NBA lottery pick in 2017, Bridges shocked the basketball world by bypassing the draft to return for his sophomore year. Teaming up with fellow 5-star freshman Jaren Jackson Jr., Bridges led MSU to a 30-5 record. He averaged 17.1 points and 7.0 rebounds, earned Consensus Second-Team All-American honors, and declared for the draft.
Picked 12th overall, Bridges formed an electric alley-oop connection with LaMelo Ball in Charlotte. By his fourth season, he had a massive breakout, averaging 20.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game as a primary scoring option. Then, Bridges became one of the league's most controversial stars. On the cusp of a potential $100M+ max extension in the summer of 2022, Bridges was arrested on domestic violence charges. He pled no contest, was issued a 30-game NBA suspension, and missed the entirety of the 2022–23 NBA season. Upon returning for the 2023–24 season, he proved his production hadn't dipped, averaging 21.0 points and 7.3 rebounds. After two solid seasons in Charlotte averaging nearly 20 PPG, the Hornets traded Bridges in June 2026 to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for Grayson Allen, Royce O'Neale, and draft capital. It'll be a new chapter.
Sacha Killeya-Jones (F)
Once considered a high-upside 5-star big man, Killeya-Jones' pathway to the pros took a winding route through crowded collegiate rotations and NCAA transfer rules before the NBA reality collapsed. After balling out at Woodberry Forest, Killeya-Jones transferred to Virginia Episcopal. As a senior, he posted monster numbers, averaging 23.6 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 3.0 blocks per game, leading Virginia Episcopal to the Division II State Championship. Standing 6'11" with a 7'2" wingspan, scouts raved about his combination of size, fluid rim-running mobility, soft touch around the paint, and raw shot-blocking instincts. Originally committed to Virginia, he decommitted as his recruiting stock skyrocketed, eventually committing to John Calipari’s Kentucky Wildcats alongside Malik Monk, Bam Adebayo, De'Aaron Fox and more. What looked like an easy one-and-done path quickly stalled once the skill gap between him and other five-star Kentucky recruits was made apparent.
Killeya-Jones entered a crowded Kentucky frontcourt loaded with future NBA talent like Bam, Wenyen Gabriel, Isaac Humphries, and later PJ Washington and Nick Richards. He played sparse minutes across two seasons, averaging just 2.9 PPG as a freshman and 3.3 PPG as a sophomore. Seeking a larger role, he announced his transfer to NC State in May 2018. Unfortunately, the rules stated he'd be redshirted the entire year, and rather than wait, Killeya-Jones opted to go straight to the pros. He ultimately missed out on the traditional NBA entry ramp, didn't have good numbers in college and went completely undrafted. He's since build out a reputable overseas career in Japan, China, Spain, Poland and Israel.
Terrance Ferguson (G)
Terrance Ferguson’s rapid disappearance from the NBA is one of the most stark examples in recent memory of how quickly the league moves past single-dimension role players. As a senior at Advanced Prep High School in Dallas, he averaged 17 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists as a 3-and-D high flyer. Drafted 21st overall by the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2017 after skipping college to play in Australia, Ferguson possessed world-class, bouncy athleticism and the prototype 6'7" frame for a modern wing. By his second season, he was starting 74 games for a playoff team next to Russell Westbrook and Paul George. Yet by 25, he was completely out of the league. Why? Ferguson was brought in to cover a specific archetype, but his offensive engagement dwindled over time. He registered high-minute, virtually zero-stat box scores. He had virtually no ball-handling or shot-creation ability. If he wasn't catching and shooting or leaking out in transition for a dunk, he offered minimal threat.
In the 2019–20 season, Ferguson averaged under 4 field goal attempts per game despite playing nearly 20 minutes a night. He frequently played 20+ minutes without scoring a single point or taking more than one shot. To survive in the NBA as a playmaking-deficient wing, you have to hit open shots at a high clip and by 2020, his shooting had dipped below 30%. OKC ultimately cut their losses after three seasons and after a brief stint in Philadelphia, Ferguson went on to be the ultimate journeyman. He's since played in the G-League, Poland, Uruguay, Mexico and more.
Tony Bradley (C)
Tony Bradley’s went from a highly touted high school star to a reliable role player on the biggest stages. Coming out of Bartow High School in Florida, he led his team to a 92-29 record over four years and averaged a dominant 22.8 points and 12.6 rebounds during his senior season. Thanks to his massive 6'10" frame, incredible 7'5" wingspan, and soft touch around the rim, he was named the "Gatorade Player of the Year" in Florida. Bradley committed to the University of North Carolina, stepping onto a veteran-heavy roster.
While he didn't start, he was ultra-productive in his limited minutes. Averaging 7.1 points and 5.1 rebounds in just under 15 minutes per game, Bradley was a key bench piece for the Tar Heels team that won the 2017 NCAA National Championship. Following the title run, he declared for the NBA Draft, becoming UNC’s first "one-and-done" player in a decade. Picked 28th, Bradley didn't evolve into an NBA star, but he did carve out a niche role as a highly dependable defensive piece and rebounding specialist. Over his near-decade in the league, he's fully embraced the role of a journeyman backup center, suiting up for the six NBA franchises. He's currently a free agent following a stint with the Hawks this past season.
Udoka Azubuike (C)
Udoka Azubuike was a true physical anomaly when he hit the national high school circuit. Famously the youngest player in his recruiting class, he took the floor at the 2016 McDonald's All-American Game at just 16 years old. Born in Nigeria, Azubuike moved to the United States and played high school basketball at Potter's House Christian Academy in Jacksonville, Florida. Listed at roughly 6'11" and 270 pounds with an astonishing 7'7" wingspan, Azubuike was an absolute bully in the painted area. Scouts praised his sheer power, explosive finishing ability, and immense shot-blocking presence. He had virtually no shooting touch, but his interior scoring was so elite that his lack of a jumper didn't harm his game. Azubuike suited up alongside Josh Jackson at Kansas, steadily developing into one of the most dominant interior forces in modern college basketball history. His freshman and junior seasons were heavily disrupted by injuries, including a torn ligament in his wrist and a season-ending foot injury, but his senior campaign was elite. He averaged 13.7 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks per game, receiving Big 12 Player of the Year and NABC Defensive Player of the Year honors.
By dunking almost everything he touched around the rim, Azubuike finished his college career as the NCAA Division I all-time leader in career field goal percentage with 74.6%. Azubuike's collegiate dominance earned him a first-round selection, getting drafted 27th overall in the 2020 NBA Draft by the Utah Jazz. But his playstyle? It caused him problems at the next level. The NBA had shifted entirely toward floor spacing, pick-and-roll versatility, and centers who could defend the perimeter. Azubuike lacked the lateral quickness to switch onto guards and the shooting range to stretch the floor. He spent three seasons in Utah largely battling foot and ankle injuries before getting picked up by Phoenix. In 84 games he averaged just 3 points per game and 2 rebounds. He's only 26, so who knows if the NBA is still looking his way. Until then? He's balling out regardless, currently playing in Israel.
V.J. King (F)
When you're a highly touted wing coming out of St. Vincent-St. Mary, the LeBron comparisons are inevitable. But what looked like a guaranteed NBA path completely unraveled at the college level. The LeBron comparisons weren't just about his 6'7" frame or raw athleticism—they were directly tied to his high school jersey. When King arrived at St. Vincent-St. Mary in Akron, Ohio, he became the first freshman to start on the varsity team since LeBron. He led SVSM to the state final as a freshman and earned All-Ohio First Team honors as a sophomore. As a senior, he transferred to Paul VI Catholic in Virginia for tougher competition, averaging 22.9 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game. King committed to Rick Pitino and the Louisville Cardinals, but his college career showed how a loss of confidence can derail a career. Right before his sophomore season, the massive FBI college basketball corruption scandal hit Louisville.
Rick Pitino was fired, leaving the program in chaos. Under interim coach David Padgett, King started all 36 games, but he averaged just 8.6 points per game on 39% from the field. The following season? King completely lost his rhythm and his spot in the rotation. His averages dropped to a dismal 3.9 points per game in just 13 minutes of action. Frustrated, he declared for the 2019 NBA draft a year early just to get a fresh start, which proved to be a terrible mistake. After his disastrous junior year, he was essentially untouchable for NBA front offices. He went completely undrafted but managed to secure a spot with the Westchester Knicks in the G-League. Since then, he's played in England, Germany, Italy and Turkey as an overseas player.
West
Alterique Gilbert (G)
Alterique Gilbert is one of the most glaring "what-if" injury stories I've seen. Coming out of Georgia, he had all the makings of the next great UConn point guard in the mold of Kemba Walker or Shabazz Napier. At Miller Grove High School in Lithonia, Georgia, Gilbert was a winner through and through. He led Miller Grove to three Class 5A state titles in four years, capping off his senior season with a 31–3 record while averaging 20.1 points, 5.8 assists, 5.5 rebounds, and 4.3 steals per game. Standing 6'0" with a tight handle and relentless motor, Gilbert was a lightning-quick floor general with an explosive first step, elite end-to-end speed in transition, crafty passing vision, and a pest-like defensive mentality at the point of attack. Gilbert committed to the Huskies, but just three games into his freshman season suffered a season-ending dislocated shoulder that required surgery. In his sophomore season in 2017-18, he suffered another season-ending shoulder injury after just six games.
Despite needing multiple shoulder reconstructions, he fought back to play two full seasons with the program and averaged 12 points per night. Seeking a fresh start as a graduate transfer, Gilbert joined Wichita State. He anchored the Shockers' backcourt, averaging 10.3 points, 4.1 assists, and 1.6 steals per game. Unfortunately, these numbers didn't really jump off of the page at NBA scouts, and Gilbert went undrafted in 2022. He didn't live up to the hype, but beat the odds for certain, and has carved out a reliable overseas career in countries like Estonia, Finland and Romania.
Dewan Hernandez (C)
A hometown star in Miami, Dewan Hernandez (then Huell) possessed all the physical traits of a high-flying modern big man, but his collegiate career was completely derailed right at the finish line by off-court eligibility disputes. At Miami Norland High School, Hernandez anchored Norland to three state championships, earning consensus 5-star recruit status. Standing 6'10" with elite vertical explosion and a soft touch around the rim, Hernandez was a textbook high-energy rim runner. He excelled in transition, ran the floor aggressively, blocked shots, and finished lobs with authority. Hernandez stayed in Miami and quickly became a hometown hero. After a modest freshman campaign (5.8 PPG), Hernandez took a huge leap as a sophomore in 2017–18, starting all 32 games and averaging 11.4 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.0 block per game on 57.6% shooting from the field.
Gearing up for his junior year, the worst happened. He was caught up in the federal corruption investigation into college basketball regarding an associate connected to an agent. The NCAA ruled him ineligible for the entire 2018–19 season, robbing him of a crucial developmental year before he entered the draft. But with enough tape over the course of his two seasons, he entered the 2019 Draft anyway, and was drafted 59th overall to the Toronto Raptors. Dewan appeared in only 6 games for Toronto during his rookie season while spending the majority of his early pro career in the G League with Raptors 905, the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, and the Westchester Knicks. The NBA didn't work out the best, but he's been a reliable overseas globe-trotter and is currently playing in South Korea.
Frank Jackson (G)
At Lone Peak High School in Utah, Frank Jackson was a physical specimen and a highlight machine. He put on a show during the 2016 All-American festivities, winning the McDonald's All-American Dunk Contest and sharing Co-MVP honors with Josh Jackson after dropping 19 points in the game. Standing 6'3" with a 6'7" wingspan and elite 42-inch vertical athleticism, Jackson was a high-octane scoring guard. He featured a quick first step, a powerful frame that absorbed contact at the rim, and a smooth jump shot with legit 3-point range. Scouts noted that he was a tweener, a wing stuck in a guard's body. Jackson committed to Duke, joining a loaded 2016 freshman class with Jayson Tatum, star prospect Harry Giles, and more. Operating as a combo guard alongside Luke Kennard and Grayson Allen, Jackson averaged 10.9 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.7 assists while shooting nearly 40% from three.
Despite being a sixth man in the NCAA, Jackson’s combine performance and scoring potential convinced him to declare for the 2017 NBA Draft, where he was selected 31st overall by Charlotte and traded immediately to the New Orleans Pelicans. Jackson spent five seasons in the NBA across New Orleans (2018–2020) and Detroit (2020–2022), even enjoying a strong stretch with the Pistons in 2021–22 where he averaged 10.6 points per game off the bench. However, by 2023 (at age 25), he was out of the league. In the modern NBA, a 6'3" guard who doesn't facilitate has to either shoot or defend at an above average level, and Jackson didn't really offer either. He's currently playing for the Ningbo Rockets in China.
Jarrett Allen (C)
Jarrett Allen has lived up to every expectation placed on his NBA career. A star at St. Stephen's Episcopal, Allen won 2 SPC championships as Texas' best center prospect. A high-energy rim runner, scouts noted his soft hands, mobility and elite 7'5" wingspan. A natural shot-blocker with born defensive instincts, Allen made up for his slender 220 frame with ridiculous defensive IQ. Committing to Texas alongside Andrew Jones, Allen put up 13.8 points and 8.4 rebounds a night, operating as a lone bright spot in a challenging 11–22 season. Allen steadily raised his stock as the year progressed. He posted 12 double-doubles, showed off a reliable mid-range jump hook, and proved his motor was quickly catching up to his physical tools.
He entered the draft after his freshman year and was selected 22nd overall by the Brooklyn Nets in 2017. He instantly became a fan favorite for his iconic afro, high-IQ personality, and fearless rim protection—famously walling off and blocking posters from the league's biggest stars. In 2021, he was shipped to the Cleveland Cavaliers as part of the massive four-team James Harden trade—a move that gave Cleveland an elite defensive baseline for their rebuild. In 2022, he earned his first career All-Star selection after averaging 16.1 PPG, 10.8 RPG, and 1.3 BPG on 67.7% shooting. Paired with Evan Mobley, the Cavs have created one of the league's most daunting interior defensive tandems. Allen's about as reliable as they come.
Josh Jackson (F)
Josh Jackson had a short-lived, interesting, controversial career. At his peak, he looked like a hyper-athletic, multi-positional wing who played with a terrifying edge. But a combination of broken shooting mechanics, poor decision-making, and off-the-court legal troubles caused his career to unravel at record speed. Jackson was a consensus top-two prospect in the 2016 class. At Justin-Siena High, he averaged an absurd 27 points and 13 rebounds per game. Standing 6'8" with elite vertical pop, Jackson was an absolute menace in transition. He played with an ultra-aggressive "alpha-dog" motor, passed with surprising vision for a forward, and looked like a future All-Defensive wing who could switch 1 through 4 effortlessly. Jackson committed to the Kansas Jayhawks and took them to the next level. He averaged 16.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game, earning Big 12 Freshman of the Year and First-Team All-Big 12 honors while leading KU to the Elite Eight.
Unfortunately, his collegiate career was seared after an alleged incident with a female Kansas Jayhawks basketball player. He racked up multiple traffic citations and attended anger management classes, but as a 19-year-old kid, the expectation was that the character concerns wouldn't be an issue as he got older. Drafted 4th overall to the Suns, Jackson had a solid rookie year in a dysfunctional environment. However, the field goal percentage was extremely poor and the off-court incidents didn't cease. In 2019, Jackson was arrested at Rolling Loud after an incident, and Phoenix dumped his contract. Following stints with Memphis, Detroit and Sacramento, Jackson's percentages were counter-productive to every team's offense. He hasn't suited up for any team since 2023, and it seems his any hopes of continuing a pro-career are over.
Joshua Langford (G)
Joshua Langford’s story is one of the most sobering reminders of how cruel injuries can be. At Madison Academy in Huntsville, Alabama, Langford wasn't just a star; he was the institution. He was named the Alabama Class 3A Player of the Year an absurd five consecutive times (starting in eighth grade), won two state championships, and scored over 3,000 career points. Standing 6'5" with a sturdy 200-pound frame, Langford was the quintessential fundamental shooting guard. He didn't rely on flashy dunks or raw athleticism; instead, he carved up defenses with an elite mid-range pull-up, high basketball IQ, and smooth, consistent mechanics from deep. Langford committed to Michigan State and immediately proved he belonged. By his junior year in 2018, he had developed into the Spartans' go-to perimeter scorer. Through the first 13 games of his junior season, he was averaging 15.0 points per game while shooting over 40% from 3-point range, looking like a guaranteed NBA Draft pick.
Then, that December, he suffered a severe foot injury that required surgery and ended his season. The healing process did not go as planned. Complications and a second surgery forced him to miss the entire 2019–20 season. With immense courage, Langford returned for a final college season in 2020–21. While he was named a team captain, he averaged just 9 points and it was clear that the injuries took his athleticism. Rather than play overseas or in the G-League, Langford immediately retired following his last collegiate season.
Kyle Guy (G)
While Guy didn't stick as a long-term NBA player, his legacy is permanently etched into March Madness history. Hailing from Lawrence Central High School in Indianapolis, Guy was a basketball hero in a state obsessed with the sport. He averaged 23.5 rebounds, 5.6 rebounds and 3.7 assists as a senior. Scouts universally praised his elite perimeter shooting, lightning-quick release, high basketball IQ, and relentless off-ball movement. The primary concern was his slight frame. Guy committed to Tony Bennett’s Virginia Cavaliers and became the offensive engine of a historically great defensive program. After suffering the historic sting of becoming the first 1-seed team to lose to a 16-seed team in 2018, Guy and the Cavaliers bounced back the very next year. Guy led Virginia to the 2019 National Championship alongside Ty Jerome, Jay Huff, Braxton Key and De'Andre Hunter.
In the Final Four against Auburn, he sank three clutch free throws with 0.6 seconds left to win the game. He followed that up with 24 points in the title game against Texas Tech, earning NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player honors. Drafted 55th overall in the 2019 Draft, he spent two seasons playing limited minutes in Sacramento and had a brief stint with the Miami Heat during the 2021–22 season. Ultimately, his lack of size made him a defensive target in the NBA, preventing him from securing a permanent rotation spot. He returned to Virginia to coach briefly in 2024, seemingly giving up his playing days as a 27-year-old, but ultimately laced back up to ball out overseas. He's currently playing in Spain.
Lonzo Ball (G)
The Lonzo Ball story is one of the wildest basketball narratives. It has everything: grassroots hype, a polarizing family patriarch, immense pressure, a fundamental career reinvention, and a brutal battle with his own body. Before the NBA, there was the 2015-16 Chino Hills High School Huskies. Led by a senior Lonzo alongside his younger brothers, LiAngelo and LaMelo, the team went 35-0 and won a national championship playing a relentless, cherry-picking, full-court press style of basketball that felt like a video game. Their father, LaVar Ball, became the ultimate, unfiltered hype man. Lonzo then took his talents to Westwood for the 2016-17 season and completely transformed the UCLA Bruins. Despite his highly unorthodox jump shot, it went in. He led the NCAA in assists, shot 41% from three, and proved his elite transition playmaking translated to the next level. He was a consensus First-Team All-American, perfectly setting the stage for his hometown NBA team. Drafted 2nd overall by the Los Angeles Lakers in 2017, the pressure was suffocating. Magic Johnson called him the new face of the franchise. While his defense and passing were immediately NBA-level, his awkward shot mechanics failed him against pro defenders, and early lower-body injuries began to surface.
After two heavily scrutinized seasons, Lonzo was shipped to the New Orleans Pelicans in the 2019 blockbuster trade for Anthony Davis. Lonzo rebuilt his jump shot and became a 40% three-point shooter. He also maximized his defense and became a lockdown threat. In 2021, Lonzo signed a lucrative $85 million deal with the Chicago Bulls and everything seemed to be clicking. Then in January 2022, a minor meniscus tear became a two-and-a-half nightmare so severe it looked like Lonzo would never play basketball again. Lonzo underwent three separate knee surgeries, ultimately requiring a rare cartilage transplant. After over 1,000 days away from the court, Lonzo miraculously returned to play for the Bulls during the 2024-25 season, but he averaged just 7 points on 36% from the field. In the 2025-26 season, he played 35 games for the Cavs and averaged 4 points on 30% from the field. As of late 2026, he is a free agent, still grinding to see if his rebuilt knee has one more chapter left in it.
Malik Monk (G)
One of the most explosive microwave scorers in the NBA, Monk's career to a minute to stabilize, but the wait has paid off. Monk starred at Bentonville High School in Arkansas, where he became one of the most electric high school scorers in the country. As a senior, he averaged 28.6 points per game, 4.4 assists and 7.6 rebounds. Standing 6'3" with hyper-elastic athleticism and a quick-trigger jumper, Monk was a pure bucket-getter. Scouts praised his transition dunking, acrobatic finishing, and effortless shooting. He then teamed up with De'Aaron Fox at Kentucky to form one of the most dynamic backcourts in college basketball history. His magnum opus came against North Carolina in December 2016, where he erupted for 47 points—including the game-winning three-pointer—in a 103-100 classic. He averaged 19.8 points per game, winning SEC Player of the Year honors before entering the draft.
Drafted 11th overall in the 2017 NBA Draft by the Charlotte Hornets, Monk's career has had serious evolution. He averaged just 7 points on 37% from the field over the course of his first two seasons while struggling to find consistent rotation minutes. Despite occasional scoring outbursts, inconsistent defense and a suspension for violating the league's anti-drug policy in 2020 slowed his growth. In 2021, Monk signed with the Lakers and it proved to be a career-defining move. He thrived as a star shooting guard alongside LeBron, averaging 13.8 points per game and reviving his league-wide value. The following season? He was traded to the Kings, where he's been a 14 ppg scorer over the last four seasons. A solid contributor, Monk has met expectation.
Marques Bolden (C)
Marques Bolden’s career arc has been a series of fleeting moments and short-term contracts. Bolden was an absolute force at DeSoto High School in Texas. He was rated the number one center in the entire 2016 class, making him a massive recruiting victory for Mike Duke. Listed at 6'11" with a massive 7'6" wingspan, Bolden was a traditional, space-eating center. Scouts raved about his soft hands, elite footwork, and classic back-to-the-basket game. Bolden arrived at Duke as part of a legendary recruiting class that featured Jayson Tatum, Harry Giles, and Frank Jackson. However, his college career was derailed almost immediately. He missed the first eight games of his freshman season with a lower leg injury, and constantly found himself trapped behind Duke's next elite, one-and-done NBA talent. Throughout his three years, he had to fight for frontcourt minutes against guys like Amile Jefferson, Wendell Carter Jr., Marvin Bagley III, and Zion Williamson.
He never averaged more than 5.3 points per game in a season. Over his three-year college career, he averaged a modest 3.8 points and 3.3 rebounds per contest before declaring for the draft. Because he failed to break out in college, he went undrafted. Since then, he's fought an uphill battle to secure a permanent spot in a league that is rapidly phasing out his archetype. Signing a myriad of 10-day contracts, two-way deals, and Exhibit 10s, he's totaled just 9 NBA games played with averages of 2 points, never living up to his calling card. He's currently playing in Japan.
T.J. Leaf (F)
T.J. Leaf's career is the tale of a highly skilled player who couldn't quite find his stylistic fit in the modern NBA, but turned into an absolute monster once he took his talents overseas. Before he shared the court with Lonzo, Leaf was a standalone superstar in San Diego, playing for Foothills Christian High School. He put up video game stats; by his senior year, he was averaging an absurd 26.5 points, 12.6 rebounds, 7.3 assists, and 3.8 blocks per game. Scouts saw the defensive limitations, but also saw him as an incredibly polished, fundamentally sound power forward with an exceptionally high basketball IQ. He had phenomenal touch around the rim and elite passing vision for a big man. While the LaVar and Lonzo Ball media circus swallowed all the Bruins' headlines, Leaf was low-key the hyper-efficient engine of UCLA's offense. In his one-and-done freshman season, he averaged 16.3 points and 8.2 rebounds while shooting a stellar 61.7% from the field.
Riding high off his UCLA campaign, Leaf was drafted 18th overall in the 2017 NBA Draft by the Indiana Pacers. So, why was he out of the league by 2021? The Pacers drafted him hoping he would be a modern stretch-four—a big man who could rebound and shoot the three with confidence. Unfortunately, the deeper NBA three-point line gave him trouble. By his third season, he was shooting just 27.8% from deep. And if you can't shoot as a big, you sure as hell better defend like one. Unfortunately, that was never Leaf's strong suit and it made him unplayable. Instead of grinding away in the G League, Leaf took his offensive toolkit to the CBA, where he was an absolute star. Now? He's playing in his birthplace of Tel Aviv, Israel.
Zach Collins (F)
In a league that usually spits out injured, foul-prone big men after their rookie contracts, Zach Collins has shown incredible resilience to piece together a very solid near-decade-long career. Collins was an absolute titan at Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas. A serial winner, he led Bishop Gorman to four consecutive Nevada state championships. As a senior, he posted a video game stat line of 17.3 points, 14.0 rebounds, and a staggering 6.4 blocks per game. He then committed to Spokane, and Collins' one-and-done season at Gonzaga is one of the most unique in modern college basketball because he didn't even start. Playing behind Polish veteran big man Przemek Karnowski, Collins was college basketball's ultimate substitute. In just 17 minutes per game, he averaged 10.0 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks while leading the West Coast Conference by shooting 65% from the floor. He officially put himself on the NBA lottery radar during the 2017 Final Four where he pushed Gonzaga past South Carolina to make the NCAA Championship game.
Drafted 10th overall in 2017 by Sacramento and immediately traded to the Portland Trail Blazers, Collins looked like a textbook high-energy stretch-five. Then, his body broke down. After two promising years, a dislocated shoulder and a string of brutal foot/ankle fractures completely derailed his trajectory. He played just 11 games in the 2019–20 season and missed the entire 2020–21 season. Most thought his career was over. Then the Spurs took a chance on him. Popovich loved his physicality and passing vision and let him thrive. Collins stayed healthy, earned a starting role, and posted career highs of 11.6 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game in the 2022–23 season. He's gearing up for his tenth season with the Chicago Bulls.
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Ten years later, the 2016 class gave us just about everything we could ask for: superstars, champions, late bloomers, role players and a few careers that went completely off script.
So whose trajectory shocked you the most? Which player became far better than you ever expected, and which former five-star left you wondering how things went so wrong?
Let us know what surprised you.
For more in the series, click here
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Thanks for reading!
-Joel Piton
(@jpiton7)
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