No 12. Desmond Bane, TCU
When: March 16, 2018
Game: Round 1, TCU vs Syracuse
Desmond Bane was only able to get to the March Madness tournament one time in his college career, playing just one game. His No. 6 TCU Horned Frogs were upset by No. 11 Syracuse in the first round during his lone appearance.
Bane had a tough shooting day, but still found ways to contribute. He finished with 5 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assist, 1 block and 1 steal in the loss.
The Grizzlies went on to acquire Bane with the No. 30 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. He’s since proven to be one of the steals of the entire draft.
No 11. Jaren Jackson Jr., Michigan State
When: March 16, 2018
Game: Round 1, Michigan State vs Bucknell
Competing for Michigan State in his lone collegiate season, Jaren Jackson Jr. competed in just two March Madness games before his team was eliminated in round two of the 2018 tournament.
His very first game was fairly ho-hum, recording 6 points, 4 rebounds and 2 blocks in just 18 minutes. He and his No. 3 Spartans were able to survive against No. 14 Bucknell 82-78.
Jackson and current Memphis Grizzlies player Xavier Tillman Sr. were teammates with the Spartans.
The Grizzlies would go on to draft Jackson No. 4 overall in the 2018 NBA Draft.
No 10. De’Anthony Melton, USC
When: March 19, 2017
Game: Round 2, USC vs Baylor
De’Anthony Melton stuffed the stat sheet in a second round match-up back in 2017. His No. 11 USC Trojans nearly upset No. 3 Baylor, falling 78-82.
Melton had a signature game against Baylor, a glimpse of what we come to expect from him at the NBA level in today’s game. In his best March Madness game, Melton chipped in 7 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds, 3 blocks, 2 steals vs Baylor.
His performance in the March Madness tournament helped him to be drafted No. 46 overall in the 2017 NBA Draft.