Peon to Pedestal: Flemmings Finds Spot as Big-Time Small-School Transfer

Despite what you might read elsewhere, a striking number of major-college standouts started their careers playing for a four-year small college before transferring. Of course, the most prominent player in this category is all-time great Elgin Baylor. After leaving College of Idaho, Baylor became an NCAA unanimous first-team All-American with Seattle in 1957-58.

More than 30 different players became NCAA Division I conference all-league selections in the 1980s and 1990s after beginning their careers with a small four-year college. In 2013-14, Weber State swingman Davion Berry (transfer from Cal State Monterey Bay) became the fourth player in the 21st Century to earn MVP honors in a DI league after transferring from a small college. A possible addition to the list this year is Chris Flemmings, who is instrumental in propelling UNCW to its best-ever start atop the CAA standings after becoming Conference Carolinas MVP with Barton NC in 2013-14.

Michigan three-point specialist Duncan Robinson (17.1 ppg and 6.5 rpg for Williams MA in 2013-14 before transferring) makes major contributions to the Wolverines, but he isn't anywhere close to making as huge an impact in a power conference to what Gerald Glass did in the SEC for Ole Miss after departing Delta State. If not Flemmings amid UNCW's well-balanced attack, who will be next player to join Alabama coach Avery Johnson (transferred from Cameron OK to Southern LA) among the following chronological list of first-team all-conference selections since the NCAA playoffs expanded to at least 64 teams in 1985 after starting their college careers playing for non-Division I four-year schools?

*Ten of these players were named conference MVP.
NOTE: Tennessee-Martin subsequently moved up to the DI level.