NBA Playoffs Begin With Former College Stars Across Teams

As the NBA postseason begins, several former college basketball standouts will represent their alma maters. Two ex-West Virginia University players, Miles McBride of the New York Knicks and Jevon Carter of the Chicago Bulls, will compete, with McBride playing a key role for the Knicks and Carter entering his fifth straight postseason. Duke University boasts a strong presence with stars like Jayson Tatum (Celtics), Kyrie Irving (Mavericks), and Paolo Banchero (Magic) among nine former Blue Devils in the playoffs, complemented by JJ Redick's debut as Lakers head coach. Four Indiana University alumni are also set to participate, including Trayce Jackson-Davis (Warriors) and Kel’El Ware (Heat), both beginning in the play-in tournament. From Iowa State, Tyrese Haliburton leads the Pacers as a rising star, while Talen Horton-Tucker (Bulls) and Georges Niang (Hawks) also head into postseason play. These contributions highlight the ongoing impact of top college programs on the NBA playoff landscape.