Foul-Drawing Actors: Striking Number of Entertainers Were Fond of Hoops

A host of hoopsters proved they weren't one-dimensional clods by going on to secure marquee status. Whether or not they talk a better game than they actually played, here is a look at actors, musicians and media personalities who "had game" as college basketball players before becoming famous entertainers:

DAVID ADKINS, Denver
Comedian known as Sinbad had a show by that name on the Fox Network and was a lead actor in the movie Houseguest. He vaulted to TV prominence as a co-star on the hit series A Different World and later briefly hosted Vibe, a late-night talk show.

Adkins averaged 4.2 points and 4.4 rebounds per game for Denver in his varsity career (1974-75 through 1977-78) when the Pioneers were classified as a major-college independent. He shot at least 50% from the floor in all four of his seasons.

MAHERSHALA ALI, Saint Mary's
The first Muslim actor to win an Oscar won an Academy Award for his best supporting actor role as a Miami drug dealer named Juan in Moonlight. Among his credits was role as Remy Danton in House of Cards.

Previously known as Hershal Gilmore, he averaged 3.6 ppg and 1.1 rpg from 1992-93 through 1995-96 under coach Ernie Kent including 7 ppg as a senior. Said Ali: When I graduated, I no longer thought of myself as an athlete. Honestly, I kind of resented basketball by the end of my time there. I'd see guys on the team get chewed up spat out and I was personally threatened with being shipped off to the University of Denver. All in the name of wins and productivity."

BOB BARKER, Drury (Mo.)
Longtime host of America's highest-rated daytime game show--"The Price is Right." Barker, who also served as executive producer for the longest-running game show in TV history, is the first performer to whom CBS ever dedicated a stage. After winning a total of 15 Emmy awards, he was installed into the Television Academy Hall of Fame in 2004. Barker, host of The Price is Right for more than 30 years, broke Johnny Carson's record for continuous performances on the same network TV show. The avowed animal rights advocate narrated the Rose Parade telecast for 21 years.

Barker played college basketball as a freshman and sophomore in 1941-42 and 1942-43 before serving in the military during World War II. He is in Drury's team picture for 1946-47 (his graduation year), but not listed on the Panthers' roster.

MARC BLUCAS, Wake Forest
Regular on "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" episodes playing the role of Riley Finn, Buffy's one-time love interest. Co-starred in romantic comedy "First Daughter" as the guy the college-aged daughter of the President of the United States falls for before discovering things aren't quite what they appear to be on the surface.

Swingman averaged 4.3 points and 2.1 rebounds per game for the Demon Deacons from 1990-91 through 1993-94. They appeared in the NCAA playoffs all four seasons.

WALTER BOND, Minnesota
Host of the Food Network show "Giving You the Business," where employees of a business enterprise are secretly entered into hidden-camera challenges testing their skill to handle difficult issues. Based on their responses, the company's CEO gives one a franchise.

Bond averaged 7.3 ppg, 3.4 rpg and 2.3 apg with the Gophers under coach Clem Haskins from 1987-88 through 1990-91. Averaged 6.3 ppg, 4.4 rpg and 2.6 apg in eight NCAA playoff games in 1989 and 1990. Averaged 5.7 ppg with the Dallas Mavericks, Utah Jazz and Detroit Pistons in three NBA seasons from 1992-93 through 1994-95.

LLOYD VERNET "BEAU" BRIDGES, UCLA
Actor with the hit movie Fabulous Baker Boys among his credits. He is the son of Lloyd Bridges and brother of Jeff Bridges.

The 5-9 guard averaged 0.6 points and 1.4 rebounds per game for UCLA's 1960-61 freshman team that compiled a 20-2 record. He was a frosh teammate of Fred Slaughter, the starting center for the Bruins' first NCAA championship team in 1964.

JAMES BROWN, Harvard
Sports announcer has had host and anchor duties for CBS and the Fox Network. He also hosted The World's Funniest on Fox, contributed to HBO's Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel and was a regular substitute host for Bob Costas' Coast to Coast radio show.

Played for legendary DeMatha High School coach Morgan Wooten in the Washington, D.C., area. The 6-6 forward, a three-time second-team All-Ivy League selection from 1970-71 through 1972-73, still ranks among Harvard's top 10 in career scoring and rebounding. As a senior, Brown led the Ivy League in scoring in conference competition (22.6 ppg) and set what is still a school record with 18 field goals when he scored a career-high 36 points in a victory over Boston University.

He was a fourth-round draft choice of the Atlanta Hawks after averaging 16.1 points and 9.7 rebounds per game in his three-year varsity career. Brown briefly was a teammate of Pete Maravich. "Pete and I were devoted martial arts followers, which requires a lot of discipline. We grew very close," Brown says.

DONNIE BURKS, St. John's
Boyish-appearing Burks was known for his performances in Broadway musicals (Hair, The American Clock and The Tap Dance Kid). His roles in several movies earned favorable reviews - The Pawnbroker, Shaft and Without a Trace. He had an American soul album (The Swingin' Sound of Soul) released in Europe and was manager of a band called Entourage.

Playmaker averaged 7.6 ppg and 1.9 rpg from 1960-61 through 1962-63 under coach Joe Lapchick after playing in high school under Lou Carnesecca. Burks appeared in 1961 NCAA Tournament against Wake Forest squad featuring All-American Len Chappell and eventual network analyst Billy Packer.

ISHMAEL BUTLER, Massachusetts
Known as Butterfly with the hip-hop group Digable Planets, which was nominated for a 1994 Grammy Award as the "Best New Artist."

He averaged 3.8 ppg and 2 rpg in John Calipari's first season as UMass coach in 1988-89.

TED CASSIDY, Stetson
Actor played the role of Lurch in The Addams Family comedy television series before he died prematurely during a heart bypass operation in 1975.

The 6-9, 245-pounder played four seasons for Stetson in the first half of the 1950s after a mysterious brief stint at West Liberty State College. When his college career was interrupted one year because of academic problems, he served as a disc jockey for two different radio stations. Cassidy, a sophomore member of the Hatters' squad that participated in the 1953 NAIA Tournament, was their leading scorer (17.7 ppg) and rebounder (10.7 rpg) as a senior in 1954-55.

JIM CAVIEZEL, Bellevue (Wash.) Community College
Former Gap model played Jesus in Mel Gibson-directed "The Passion of the Christ" (2004) and was in "Bobby Jones Stroke of Genius" the same year. Also played the part of Slovnik in "GI Jane" (1997) with Demi Moore, Private Wit in "Thin Red Line" (1998), Catch in "Angel Eyes" (2001) with Jennifer Lopez, and Ashley Judd's husband in "High Crimes" (2002) with Morgan Freeman. In the TV drama "Person of Interest" on CBS, he played the role of Reese, a former member of the elite Special Forces who is now drinking heavily and at the end of his rope in New York City.

Bellevue coach Ernie Woods called Caviezel the hardest worker he had in 30 years. Caviezel's younger brother, Tim, played for the University of Washington, averaging 3.6 ppg in 1990-91 as a freshman and 4.2 ppg in 1991-92 as a sophomore before transferring to Long Beach State. Tim, a 6-7 swingman, subsequently transferred again to Western Washington, where Jim's wife, Kerri, ranks among the career leaders in five statistical categories for the women's basketball squad.

"Basketball taught me to train for every possible situation but always stay in the moment," Caviezel said.

CHEVY CHASE, Haverford (Pa.)
After a one-year stint on "Saturday Night Live," Chevy quit to move to Los Angeles. Following mixed success in a variety of films, he became one of the biggest box-office draws in the U.S. in the 1980s with hits such as "Caddyshack" and "National Lampoon's Vacation." One of his popular movie roles was as "Fletch" when he played for the Los Angeles Lakers in a dream sequence.

Chase was a JV basketball and soccer player as a freshman in 1962-63 before transferring to Bard (N.Y.).

PAT CLELAND, Western Michigan
Going by the stage name Rick Chyme, he entered the Guinness Book of World Records in mid-September 2013 by freestyling rap for 17 hours straight at ArtPrize, a nearly three-week long art festival/competition in grand Rapids, Mich.

Cleland scored 32 points in his 41-game WMU career from 1999-2000 through 2002-03.

KEVIN "CHUCK" CONNORS, Seton Hall
Longtime star of the television series The Rifleman gained critical acclaim in the role of a slave owner in the TV mini-series Roots (1977).

Connors, who played major league baseball with the Brooklyn Dodgers (1949) and Chicago Cubs (1951), scored 32 points in 15 varsity games for Seton Hall in 1941-42 before leaving school for military service. The 6-5, 190-pound forward-center played for Rochester in the National Basketball League in 1945-46 and Boston of the Basketball Association of America in 1946-47 and 1947-48.

MIKE CONNORS, UCLA
Real name of Armenian-descent actor, who had a hit TV series (Mannix), is Kerker J. Ohanian.

The 6-1, 180-pounder, nicknamed "Touch," averaged 4.6 ppg for UCLA's 1946-47 freshman team compiling a 15-3 record.

MARK CURRY, California State-Hayward
Comedian starred in ABC's hit black sitcom Hangin' With Mr. Cooper from 1992 through 1997 before hosting Don't Forget Your Toothbrush on Comedy Central. Oakland product worked in and eventually managed a drugstore where, the story goes, he kept cracking up the customers. Finally, in 1987, he took his first steps onstage at a comedy club and worked his way up to headliner.

Curry, a 6-6 center, played with California State-Hayward for three years in the early 1980s. Excerpt from the Pioneers' school guide: "Sat out the 1981-82 campaign. Good rebounder has demonstrated a fine shooting touch from the inside."

MICHAEL CLARKE DUNCAN, Kankakee (Ill.) Community College/Alcorn State
Former bodyguard appeared in four films with Bruce Willis: Armageddon (1998; cast as Bear), Breakfast of Champions (1999), The Whole Nine Yards (2000) and Sin City (2005; cast as Manute, a powerful mobster). Breakout role occurred when he earned an Academy Award nomination and a Golden Globe nomination in The Green Mile. Voiced a dog Sam in Cats & Dogs (2001) and played Colonel Attar, a gorilla, in Planet of the Apes (2001). Starred alongside his friend, The Rock, in The Scorpion King (2002) and was the criminal mastermind behemoth Kingpin in Daredevil (2003).

The 6-5 Duncan was a teammate of eventual Chicago State coach Kevin Jones with Kankakee's 31-4 squad in 1980-81 before enrolling at Alcorn State under coach Davey Whitney. An excerpt in the Braves' 1983-84 media guide said: "He adds size, speed and excellent jumping ability to the roster. A very hard worker, he'll add tremendous depth to the bench." After dropping out of college because of family problems, he spent several years digging ditches for a gas company in his hometown of Chicago. "He was a tough, physical player," Whitney told CBSSports.com. "He was undersized and didn't weigh much back then, but he was very strong and powerful. He was just tough. He'd knock guys around."

BOB EINSTEIN, Chapman (Calif.)
Emmy Award-winning writer was affiliated with the Laugh-In and Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour TV shows. He created the Super Dave Osborne hapless stuntman character.

Transfer student showed some promise with Chapman in 1963-64, playing in 20 basketball games.

TAUHEED EPPS, Alabama State
Rapper know professionally as 2 Chainz (previously Tity Boi) won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance in 2017 alongside Lil Wayne ("No Problem"). In February 2012, Epps signed a solo record deal with Def Jam Recordings, an imprint of Universal Music Group. Winner of the Soul Train Music Awards' best hip-hop song of the year in 2012 began working with TV network Viceland on a show called Most Expensivest, which debuted in late 2017 and aired for three seasons.

The 6-5 Epps averaged 2.8 ppg and 1.6 rpg for ASU in 1995-96 and 1996-97. In the spring of 2019, 2 Chainz acquired a minority ownership stake in the Atlanta Hawks' NBA G League affiliate, the College Park Skyhawks.

MICHAEL FRANTI, San Francisco
Emerged as one of the most provocative and talented members of the crowded rap/hip-hop universe in the early 1990s. Activist first garnered attention with an avant-garde funk outfit known as the Beatnigs before moving on to the Disposable Heroes. After they disbanded, Franti reinvented his politically-charged sound in 1994 by founding the group Spearhead blending hip-hop with funk, reggae, jazz, folk and rock music.

The 6-6 Franti averaged 2.4 ppg and 1.2 rpg in 17 USF basketball games in 1985-86.

TRAVON FREE, Long Beach State
After trying stand-up comedy, he commenced a comedy-writing career that saw him write for The Daily Show and Full Frontal with Samantha Bee. For a while, he was the only black writer on staff at the Daily Show, eventually winning two Emmys. He worked on movie called "Two Distant Strangers," earning him an Oscar for "Best Live Action Short Film," at the 2021 Academy Awards. An untitled action feature he wrote (romantic spy thriller set in Africa) starring Idris Elba was purchased at auction by Apple TV+.

The 6-7 Free averaged 2.9 ppg and 2.3 rpg from 2003-04 through 2006-07 (medical redshirt in 2005-06). He made both of his field-goal attempts in four minutes of action against Tennessee in 2007 NCAA playoffs. Free is one of the first bisexual players in NCAA history to come out.

DON GIBB, New Mexico/San Diego
Best known for his roles as the hulking, dimwitted outrageous fraternity brother "Ogre" in several installments of the Revenge of the Nerds film series, as Kumite fighter Ray Jackson in Bloodsport and as Leslie "Dr. Death" Krunchner on the HBO sitcom 1st & Ten. He left acting and went into the brewing business as co-owner of "Trader Todd's Adventure Beer. "

The 6-4 Gibb scored five points in two UNM basketball games in 1972-73 before transferring to USD and averaging 5 ppg plus 2.9 rpg with the Toreros in 1975-76 and 1976-77.

LOUIS GOSSETT JR., New York University
The son of a porter and maid, he turned to acting in high school after a leg injury temporarily impeded his hopes for a basketball career. Following his Broadway debut at 17, he attended NYU on an athletic scholarship while continuing to perform on TV and the stage. He won an Emmy in 1977 for his role in the TV miniseries Roots-Part I before winning an Oscar in 1982 as supporting actor in the box-office hit An Officer and a Gentleman.

Gossett played for NYU's freshman squad in the late 1950s.

JOHN FRED GOURRIER, Southeastern Louisiana
Lead vocalist and harmonica player for the rock-and-roll group John Fred and the Playboy Band that boasted a hit single "Judy in Disguise" in 1967 and 1968.

The 6-5, 185-pound forward averaged eight points per game for Southeastern Louisiana as a junior in 1962-63 before scoring 248 points as a senior. The Baton Rouge native also played two seasons for SLU's baseball team and still shares the school single-game record for most RBI with eight.

TUCKER HALPERN, Brown
Paired with Sophie Hawley-Weld to form acclaimed EDM (Electronic Dance Music) duo Sofi Tukker. Their dance hits included "Good Time Girl," "Purple Hat," and "Awoo." Their song "Drinkee" was nominated for a Grammy in 2016 and full album, "Threehouse," was released in 2019 and also nominated for a Grammy. They paid $1.75 million for a Sunshine State residence with a tropical feel.

The 6-8 forward averaged 10 ppg, 3.6 rpg and 2 apg from 2009-10 through 2012-13. He was an All-Ivy League honorable mention selection as a sophomore.

VAUGHN HARPER, Syracuse
New York City disc jockey, the host with the mellow voice on "The Quiet Storm," for more than a quarter century in the New York City area.

One of the Orange's all-time leaders in rebounds per game (11.1). Harper also averaged 13.5 ppg from 1965-66 through 1967-68, leading SU in scoring as a senior (15.8 ppg). Teammate of All-American Dave Bing and all-time winningest coach Jim Boeheim grabbed team-high 10 rebounds in 91-81 loss to Duke in 1966 East Regional final. Ninth-round selection in the 1968 NBA draft by the Detroit Pistons.

JEROD HAYNES, Idaho
Actor and producer known for Project Blue Book (2019), The Village (2019) and Native Son (2019).

Chicago native was starter much of 2004-05 season when he finished runner-up for the Vandals in assists with 3 apg.

PETE HEGSETH, Princeton
CEO of Concerned Veterans for America became a FOX News Channel regular, providing analysis and commentary across FNC's daytime and prime-time programming. Served as an infantry platoon leader in Iraq and was a leading candidate for head of the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs in the Trump Administration.

Hegseth scored 34 points in 37 games for the Tigers from 2000-01 through 2002-03. Eight of his 11 field goals were three-pointers. He missed a shot from beyond the arc while playing one minute in 2001 NCAA playoff opener against North Carolina squad featuring eventual NFL regulars Ronald Curry and Julius Peppers.

JEFF HEPHNER, Calvin (Mich.)/Ferris State (Mich.)
Cast as assistant district attorney Keenan O'Brien in "The Jury," a Fox Television courtroom drama series. Known for his recurring role as Matt Ramsey during the third season of The O.C.

The 6-3 Hephner collected 58 points and 27 rebounds in 42 games with Ferris State after transferring from Calvin. He was a member of Ferris State's 1997-98 GLIAC Tournament championship team before serving as team captain as a senior the next season.

ANDY HILL, UCLA
President of Programming for K-III Communications Corporation's Channel One Network, the leading source of news and information for American teenagers. As president of CBS Productions, he was responsible for the development and production of such successful prime time programming as Touched by an Angel, Walker Texas Ranger, Rescue 911, Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman and Dave's World. He also oversaw the development and production of Caroline in the City for NBC, the only time a network-owned studio has developed and produced a hit series for another broadcaster. Hill is also author of Be Quick--But Don't Hurry.

The 6-1 guard was a member of three consecutive NCAA championship teams under legendary coach John Wooden from 1970 through 1972. The Bruins lost only three contests in that span. He averaged 2.1 points per game while shooting 34.3 percent from the floor and 73.8 percent from the free-throw line. Hill scored 10 points against Weber State in the 1972 West Regional semifinals before scoring six points against Denny Crum-coached Louisville in the national semifinals.

KEN HOWARD, Amherst (Mass.)
Tony Award winner ("Child's Play") starred as a world-wise ex-cop in "Crossing Jordan," but is perhaps best known as an ex-pro basketball player turned street-savvy high school teacher in the CBS classic drama "The White Shadow"--a role he "co-created" based on his own experience as the only white player on his high school basketball team in a suburb of New York City. He was a master class teacher at the American Repertory Theatre Institute and also an instructor at Harvard and Harvard Law School. Howard married Margo Lederer, daughter of advice columnist Ann Landers.

The 6-6, 220-pound Howard, a three-year starter, was Amherst's third-leading all-time scorer with 655 points when his college career ended in 1966. "I think it would be very hard for an actor to do something like that (White Shadow) unless he played a lot of basketball," Howard said. "That was what my edge was opposed to other actors. One of the problems sports pictures have always had is that the actors very seldom look like they know what they're doing when it comes to the sport. At least I'm comfortable with this sport. I couldn't do it in a sport I didn't know."

JASON JANEGO, Bucknell
Cofounder and co-president of RADiUS-TWC, the boutique arm of the Weinstein Company that was the first studio division dedicated to both multi-platform video on demand (VOD) and theatrical distribution. In February 2014, its film 20 Feet From Stardom won the Oscar for best documentary (feature). The company's first hit was 2012's Bachelorette.

Janego averaged 1.3 ppg from 1991-92 through 1993-94 under coach Charles Woollum.

AL JARREAU, Ripon (Wis.)
Innovative musical expressions made him one of the most exciting and critically-acclaimed performers of our time, winning five Grammys, including best jazz vocalist in 1978 and 1979. He began singing at the age of four, and was soon harmonizing with his brothers and performing solo at a variety of local events in his hometown of Milwaukee. Following an extended stint in Los Angeles, he was spotted by Warner Brothers Records talent scouts and signed to a recording contract in 1975. Two years later, Jarreau embarked on his first world tour. While on a break from touring in 1996, he accepted a three-month stint on Broadway playing the role of the Teen Angel in the hit musical Grease!

Member of Ripon's basketball team from 1958-59 through 1961-62 posted career highs of 5.9 ppg and 4.3 rpg as a sophomore. While attending college, he performed locally with a group called The Indigos on weekends and holidays before graduating with a B.S. in Psychology.

CRAIG KILBORN, Montana State
Took over from Tom Snyder in late March 1999 on the Los Angeles-based "Late Late Show" following David Letterman on CBS opposite NBC's "Late Night with Conan O'Brien". Kilborn was an ESPN anchor from September 1993 until becoming host of Comedy Central's news parody called "The Daily Show".

Three-year letterman for Montana State from 1981-82 through 1983-84 started six games as a sophomore and two more as a junior. The 6-5 1/2 swingman's best season was as a sophomore when he averaged 5.1 points per game. Montana forward Larry Krystkowiak was the premier player in the Big Sky Conference in Kilborn's final campaign. The irreverent native of Hastings, Minn., left the Bobcats' team following his junior season to begin his career in the broadcast industry, and served as a color commentator for their basketball games.

"We live in an overly sensitive society, where we take ourselves too seriously," the quirky Kilborn says. "Coming from the world of sports, you better not be sensitive, man. The coaches yell at you, they would challenge your manhood. You have to be tough, and have a thick skin.

"There was this guy who played for Oregon State with bad acne on his shoulder and arms. The opposing fans called him 'Zitton' and used to throw Clearasil bottles on the court when he came out. That's my audience."

REV. JOHN KILZER, Memphis State
Rock singer and songwriter known for the 1988 Mainstream Rock hit "Red Blue Jeans." His songs would be recorded by notable artists Trace Adkins, Roseanne Cash and Maria Muldaur. Struggling with alcohol addiction, he committed suicide by hanging in a rehab facility (Hazelden Betty Ford treatment center in Minnesota) in spring of 2019 at the age of 62.

The 6-6 Kilzer averaged 3.2 ppg and 2 rpg from 1975-76 through 1978-79 under coach Wayne Yates, appearing in the NCAA playoffs as a freshman.

ART LINKLETTER, San Diego State
Longtime radio and television personality was master of ceremonies of such popular shows as People Are Funny and Art Linkletter's House Party.

Three-year letterman led San Diego State in scoring in 1932-33 (7 points per game) and 1933-34 (8.8 ppg). He was named to the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference all-star team as a sophomore and senior. Captain of the Aztecs' team as a senior when he finished second in conference competition in scoring.

JIM LUISI, St. Francis (N.Y.)
Played part of Lt. Chapman on television series The Rockford Files.

Luisi led St. Francis (N.Y.) in scoring in 1949-50 (14.7 points per game) and 1950-51 (14.6 ppg). Finished his career in third place on the Terriers' career scoring list. Played briefly for the NBA's Baltimore Bullets in 1953-54 after originally being drafted by the Boston Celtics in 1951.

Excerpt from school guide: "Shooting ability and deceptive dribbling, together with his indomitable courage in the face of the toughest opposition, make him an invaluable asset."

DUANE MARTIN, New York University
Pursued a career in acting before producing two comedy features with Will Smith's company (Overbrook Entertainment). Martin also produced Inglewoods, based on his original concept, which he was slated to star in opposite Jamie Foxx. Martin was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award stemming from his role in Different Worlds: An Interracial Love Story; and starred with Patti LaBelle in the series Out All Night. Married to former Martin & My Wife and Kids star Tisha Campbell. He is also owner of Impact Sports, making him the youngest African-American ever to own a sports agency (clients included Bartolo Colon, Jamal Lewis and David Boston).

Averaged 14.1 ppg and 3 rpg for the Violets in the late 1980s.

JOE McGOVERN, Penn State
Lead singer on the Encores, a Motown cover group. Subsequently known as Cody Marshall, he went on to have a lounge act in Las Vegas before settling in Atlanta in the early 1970s. Billed as "the new Tom Jones," he had several singles on the Wizdom label in the early 1970s.

The 6-2 McGovern averaged 4.2 ppg and 2.2 rpg from 1964-65 through 1966-67.

NIGEL MIGUEL, UCLA
As his acting career unfolded in commercials, he was Michael Jordan's body double. While appearing in nunerous feature films, Miguel's entertainment prowess also occurred behind the camera. In the mid-1990s, he created II Jam Casting & Production, Inc., a specialty casting and production company. He was president of Ardomi Entertainment, a boutique productions entity producing independent films and providing content for web-based programming. In May 2008, Miguel returned to his roots as Film Commissioner for the Government of Belize. He had been named Belize's Goodwill Ambassador to the U.S. in 1994.

Miguel averaged 6.1 ppg and 2.2 rpg for the Bruins in the first half of the 1980s.

DENNY MILLER, UCLA
Miller became the first blond Tarzan in "Tarzan, the Ape Man" (1959), which lifted most of its footage from earlier Johnny Weissmuller movies. "Playing Tarzan is like being in a circus," says the 6-4 Miller on his web site. "Go ride that elephant, play with that chimp, swing on that vine. It's a terrific job for a guy who grew up to be a kid." Miller was a regular on "Wagon Train" in the early 1960s as Duke Shannon (his name was then Scott Miller) and played Juliet Prowse's husband in the TV series Meet Mona McClusky in 1965. For years, he was the "Gorton Fisherman," appearing in numerous commercials in his yellow rain gear.

Denny (7.4 ppg and 5.3 rpg in only eight games) and his brother Kent (7.2 ppg, 8.3 rpg) Miller were on the same Bruins squad in 1958-59 (16-9 record under coach John Wooden) as teammates of decathlete Rafer Johnson and eventual Hall of Fame coach Denny Crum. Denny Miller spent three years in the U.S. Army between averaging 4 ppg in 1954-55 and 3.1 ppg and 2.3 rpg in 1957-58.

MARK MILLER, Central Florida
Front man and principal songwriter for Sawyer Brown, one of the nation's most popular and enduring country music bands. Sawyer Brown, the top grossing country group in 1994, has sold more than 11 million records since getting a jump start in 1984 on Ed McMahon's Star Search and was named the Top Vocal Group in 1997 by the Academy of Country Music. Sawyer Brown's "Six Days on the Road" video, which came out in early 2000, emphasized the baldheaded Miller's shooting ability.

The 5-8 guard was scoreless in a total of 13 minutes in seven games for Central Florida in 1978-79. He had one assist and committed three turnovers. "I play whenever I can," Miller said. "I go at it really hard. I think my greatest strength in basketball is just seeing the floor and having a feel for where everything should go. And maybe that's my strength in music, too."

Miller, who majored in physical education, joined UCF the year after it went to the Final Four in Division II, and coach Torchy Clark was a local legend. "He (Torchy) wanted you to play hard, but he also wanted you to be a good person," Miller said. "If it came between winning and being a good person, he would rather you be a good person. He helped me as a player, and the lessons I learned from him have helped me in my career. Late at night while on tour, I still call him."

PERCY ROMEO MILLER JR., Southern California
Rapper/actor, son of entertainment mogul and entrepreneur Master P, has released multiple studio albums and compilation albums. His debut album titled after his original alias Lil' Romeo contained the hit single "My Baby" that charted #1 on the Hot R&B/Hip-hop Singles.

Signed with the Trojans with friend Demar DeRozan, who left for the NBA after only one season. Romeo, a 5-9 point guard, played 19 minutes in nine games in 2008-09 and 2009-10, scoring a total of five points.

NYAMBI NYAMBI, Bucknell
His most prominent acting role has been Samuel (Senegalese waiter) as original cast member of CBS sitcom "Mike and Molly." Played law firm investigator Jay DiPersia in the CBS All Access legal drama The Good Fight since 2017.

Played for Bucknell from 1997-98 through 2000-01. His most productive season was as a freshman when he collected 12 points and 7 assists in 17 games.

MILES ORMAN, Marist
Former child actor played Miles Robinson (adopted son) on Sesame Street from 1985 to 1994.

As a 6-5 forward, Orman averaged 2.5 ppg and 1.6 rpg with the Red Foxes from 2003-04 through 2006-07.

KENNY PARKER, St. Peter's
Brother of one of the most influential rap and hip-hop artists of the 1980s and early 1990s--KRS-ONE (born Kris Parker). Kenny, who performed as a DJ alongside his brother and in music videos as part of the hard-core hip-hop outfit Boogie Down Productions, was a producer for BDP recordings. He has produced TV commercials for Nike.

Parker was a four-year regular who had his best scoring season as a freshman (8.4 ppg in 1985-86 when he supplied a 26-point, nine-rebound effort against MAAC power La Salle).

PAUL ROBESON, Rutgers
World renowned orator and baritone was a 6-3, 215-pound two-way end who finally was named to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1995. Valedictorian when he graduated in 1919, learned to speak 15 languages and forge a glorious international career as a singer and actor. Earned law degree from Columbia, financing way through school by playing pro football with the Akron Pros and Milwaukee Badgers (scored two touchdowns). Robeson, son of a runaway slave, was an outspoken antifascist and champion of racial equality and socialist causes who remained enough of a supporter of the Soviet Union to get him blacklisted on Broadway. Founder of the Progressive Party played roles in 11 films and established works like The Emperor Jones and Show Boat and became the first black to play Othello with a white cast.

Robeson was a center for Rutgers' basketball team.

LEON ROBINSON, Loyola Marymount
Goes by the stage name "Leon." He was a lover-boy idol in "Waiting to Exhale," and played a similar character in Tim Reid's acclaimed "Once Upon a Time ... When We Were Colored." Robinson was the ruthless killer, Kinette, in "Cliffhanger" and was Derice, the sweet and charming captain of the Jamaican bobsled team, in the surprise comedy hit, "Cool Runnings." Leon appeared as a football teammate of Tom Cruise in "All the Right Moves," and was the leading man as New York high school hoop sensation Earl (The Goat) Manigault in "Above the Rim." Leon starred opposite Robin Givens in the TV mini-series, "The Women of Brewster Place" and was cast as Jesus in Madonna's controversial 1989 music video "Like a Prayer." Received critical acclaim for his portrayal of two legendary singers in made-for-TV movies: David Ruffin in the 1998 NBC miniseries The Temptations and Little Richard in the self-titled 2000 NBC production based on the life of the rock-and-roll pioneer.

Robinson lettered for the Lions in 1978-79 when he averaged 2.9 ppg and 1.4 rpg. The Bronx native also attended Orange Coast Community College (Calif.).

NED ROLSMA, Iona/Tennessee-Martin
In CBS' "How I met Your Mother," he played the recurring bit role of Marcus Eriksen, brother of Marshall Eriksen (Jason Segel), one of the lead characters.

Seven-footer averaged 2.6 ppg and 1.8 rpg from 1997-98 through 2001-02.

RaMELL ROSS, Georgetown
Oscar-nominated cinematographer and director for his first movie, a 2018 documentary called Hale County This Morning, This Evening.

The 6-5 Ross averaged 1.7 ppg for the Hoyas from 2000-01 through 2004-05. Participated in 2001 NCAA playoffs (vs. Hampton as teammate of eventual players Mike Sweetney and Ruben Boumtje-Boumtje) and 2005 NIT.

LAMMAN RUCKER, Duquesne
Began his career on daytime soap operas As the World Turns and All My Children before roles in Tyler Perry films Why Did I Get Married? (2007), Why Did I Get Married Too? (2010) and Meet the Browns (2008), plus its TV adaptation. In 2016, Rucker began starring as Jacob Greenleaf in the Oprah Winfrey Network drama series, Greenleaf. He also had a recurring guest spot on the fourth and final season of the hit UPN sitcom, Half & Half.

The 6-3 Rucker grabbed four rebounds in eight games in 1993-94.

CHRISTOPHER "ZIP" RZEPPA, Boston University
Classmate of shock jock Howard Stern and media maven Bill O'Reilly was reunited with O'Reilly on the same local TV station staff in Boston. Upon departing Beantown for a smaller market, Rzeppa worked for a couple of TV stations in St. Louis, where sports anchor became one of the city's most recognizable personalities for his flamboyant Friday night Zippo Awards (highlighting "the best, the worst, and the weirdest performances in the wild and wacky wonderful world of sports"). Among his interns was well-known broadcaster Joe Buck. Rzeppa was also the founder of Radio Personalities, Inc., which featured syndicated radio programs, including Talkin' Roundball with Dick Vitale, Offsides with Dan Dierdorf and The Great American Sports Trivia Show. The radio venture failed as salaries for the short commentaries ($80,000 to Vitale and $60,000 to Dierdorf) couldn't be supported due to lagging advertising sales. Later, his calling became working for several Catholic-connected organizations aiding the poor and needy.

Rzeppa competed in two BU basketball games in 1971-72.

WARNER SAUNDERS, Xavier (La.)
Windy City broadcasting legend anchored Chicago's NBC affiliate (WMAQ-TV).

The 6-5 Saunders was a center for four seasons with the Gold Rush (class of '57).

TOM SELLECK, Southern California
Television and movie star won an Emmy in 1984 for his work in Magnum, P.I. He had a two-year stint (1974-75) on The Young and the Restless. His big-screen career got a major boost with the box-office hit Three Men and a Baby in 1987.

Selleck was a 6-4, 200-pound forward for Southern California. After serving as captain of the basketball team at Los Angeles Valley Community College, he scored four points in seven games for the Trojans in 1965-66 and was scoreless in three games in 1966-67. Excerpt from USC's school guide: "Agile and quick performer who adds depth on front line. Business administration major is good jumper with fine mobility. Rapidly improving shooter has impressed coaches with his hustle in practice. Needs to work on defense."

RON SHELTON, Westmont (Calif.)
Writer-director is synonymous with sports movies such as The Best of Times (high school football/1986), Bull Durham (minor league baseball/1988), White Men Can't Jump (street basketball/1992), Cobb (major league baseball/1994), Blue Chips (college basketball/1994), Tin Cup (golf/1996) and Play It to the Bone (boxing/1999). One of his non-sports films, Blaze, became a personal milestone for him as he went on to marry one of the stars, Toronto-born Lolita Davidovich. In Blue Chips, actor Nick Nolte was coach Pete Bell, who broke the rules in order to get the players he needed to remain competitive. "I played pickup into my 40s, right up until the time I made White Men Can't Jump," Shelton said. "I knew the game. I just loved that world."

Shelton scored 1,420 points in the mid-1960s, finishing the 20th Century among his alma mater's top 10 career scorers. He went on to play five seasons of Organized Baseball as a second baseman in the Baltimore Orioles' minor league system.

DARRYL SHEPHERD, Pittsburgh
Produced two No. 1 hits on the R&B charts. An accomplished keyboard player, he also has worked on movie soundtracks and for numerous artists (including Smokey Robinson).

Participated in the NIT and NCAA playoffs in the mid-1980s with the Panthers. His wife, attorney Renee Henderson, was a former Pitt sprinter who won the 60- and 200-meter dashes in France at the 2008 World Masters Indoor Track and Field Championships (setting two American Records en route to winning gold).

JOONAS SUOTAMO, Penn State
Finnish actor is best known for his role as Chewbacca in the Star Wars saga, replacing original Peter Mayhew in the role after near seven-footer first served as a body double.

Averaged 3.8 ppg and 7 rpg for the Nittany Lions from 2005-06 to 2007-08.

HAROLD SYLVESTER, Tulane
Played a shoe salesman character named Griff on the Fox series Married With Children. He appeared in numerous sitcoms while under contract to Universal and his Hollywood credits include An Officer and a Gentleman, Uncommon Valor and Vision Quest. Sylvester sold a script called Passing Glory to Touchstone about a 1965 high school basketball game he played in when a predominantly black school and a predominantly white school from New Orleans met for the first time. Only faculty and families were invited to witness the historic contest, which became a made-for-TV movie in 1999.

The 6-6, 210-pound center broke the color barrier at Tulane, averaging 12.5 points and 9.1 rebounds per game for the Green Wave from 1968-69 through 1970-71. He was Tulane's leading rebounder as a sophomore (8.5 rpg) before becoming its second-leading scorer and rebounder each of the next two seasons. On two occasions, Sylvester grabbed a career-high 22 rebounds in a single contest.

RON TAYLOR, Southern California
Best known for his roles as Lothar in The Rocketeer (1991) and Roc in Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994). He also played Al, the tall police detective whose face is never seen, in The Naked Gun (1988) and on the TV series Police Squad. Nicknamed "Tiny Ron," the seven-footer also appeared on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine in the role of the Hupyrian alien Maihar'du.

Three-year USC letterman in the late 1960s was a second-round choice by Seattle in the 1969 NBA draft (18th pick overall). He played three seasons in the ABA before competing professionally in Austria in the 1970s before starting his film career.

SINQUA WALLS, San Francisco
Breakthrough role in 2012 as Sir Lancelot in ABC fantasy series Once Upon a Time. He played the role of Shawn in the TV series Power and was cast in Clint Eastwood's biopic The 15:17 to Paris about the thwarted 2015 Thalys train attack. Walls has portrayed Don Cornelius in BET's American Soul, a fictionalized drama series based on long-running TV dance show Soul Train. Previously, he was known for appearing in Friday Night Lights and The Secret Life of the American Teenager.

Played in five games for USF in 2005-06.

MIKE WARREN, UCLA
Television star portrayed Officer Bobby Hill on hit series Hill Street Blues. Also appeared in the following movies: The Kid Who Loved Christmas (1990), Heaven is a Playground (1991), Buffalo Soldiers (1997) and After All (1999).

The 5-11, 160-pound guard for UCLA averaged 16.6 points per game in 1965-66 as a sophomore, 12.7 in 1966-67 as a junior and 12.1 in 1967-68 as a senior. He was an All-NCAA Tournament selection in 1967 and 1968 when the Bruins won national titles by combining for a 59-1 record. Warren was named to Converse and Helms All-American squads as a junior. In his senior season, he was named to the 10-man United States Basketball Writers Association All-America team and was a third five selection on the Associated Press and United Press International All-American squads. Selected by the Seattle SuperSonics in the 14th round of the 1968 NBA draft.

Excerpt from school guide: "Named on the Academic All-American first team. One of UCLA's all-time great ballhandlers as well as being an outstanding driver and jump shooter."

DENZEL WASHINGTON, Fordham
Oscar award-winning actor Denzel Washington earned rave reviews for his performance as a high school football coach in Remembering the Titans. Most Hollywood buffs remember Washington's performances as a regular on the TV drama series St. Elsewhere while becoming a critically-acclaimed screen actor and major box-office draw in the 1990s with his performances in hit films Malcolm X, The Pelican Brief, and The Preacher's Wife. The hits continued with "Man on Fire" (2004).

But what the most ardent moviegoer doesn't know, let alone remember, is that Washington was a walk-on freshman basketball player for Fordham under coach P.J. Carlesimo. Washington probably was acting when he said "he had game" in describing his basketball ability in an interview about his movie role as the father of the nation's No. 1 player in director Spike Lee's 1998 release He Got Game. Washington's son, Malcolm, started one of his 19 games with Penn in 2009-10.

SEAN WHITESELL, Northern Iowa
The "Oz" producer and co-executive producer of "The Killing" is a brother of talent agent/WME co-CEO Patrick Whitesell and former Loyola of Chicago coach Jim Whitesell. Sean began his career acting with notable roles including a recurring character on HBO's Oz (portrayed cannibalistic inmate Donald Groves until character's execution) and appearances on Homicide: Life On the Street.

Walk-on with nickname "S" collected two points and three rebounds in six games in 1982-83.

KEEDAR WHITTLE, Norfolk State
Comedian and cast member of the hit BET comedy, "Hell Date." Actor known for Inglorious Kill Dogs (2014), Future Man (2017) and Life After Beth (2014). Portrayed Sean in AMC's The Walking Dead and Nino in four episodes of the CW's One Tree Hill.

J.C. product collected 14 points and 10 rebounds in nine games as a 6-8 forward in 2000-01.

IAN WHYTE, Iona/Clarion (Pa.)
Carved out a career as fil baddie (including playing part of iconic Predator in Sci Fi action film Alien vs. Predator). In 2010, Whyte played Sheikh Sulieman in Clash of the Titans. Portrayed various characters in the HBO fantasy series Game of Thrones.

The 7-1 Whyte collected 9 points and 10 rebounds in 17 games for Iona in 1990-91 and 1991-92 before transferring to Clarion, where he averaged 6 ppg and 5.3 rpg in 1992-93 and 1993-94.