Ranking the 10 greatest NBA careers in Texas Longhorns history

There is one Longhorn men’s basketball player who stands out amongst the rest over the 118 years of Texas men’s basketball history.

Kevin Durant dominated in his single season with the Horns and was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft… the rest is history.

Alongside Durant, the Longhorns have seen dozens of talented players go on to impressive careers in the NBA but which ten (including KD) were the greatest?

Here’s our ranking for the ten greatest NBA careers in Texas Longhorns history:

Career stats:

• 1,273 points
• 326 assists
• 233 rebounds

Travis Mays was an absolute star for the Texas Longhorns in the late 80s and later became an assistant coach for the women's basketball team.

In 1990, the Sacramento Kings selected Mays as the 14th overall pick in the NBA Draft and he played a solid three seasons in the league.

Mays averaged 11.1 points, 2.8 assists, and 2.0 rebounds per game and was a part of Team USA's men's basketball team on multiple occasions.

Career stats:

• 3,262 points
• 2,302 rebounds
• 444 blocks
• 223 assists

After he was named as a consensus All-American and a two-time First-Team All-Big 12 player, Chris Mihm was selected seventh overall in the 2000 NBA Draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Mihm went on to play nine seasons in the league, four years with the Cavs, one year with the Boston Celtics, and four years with the Los Angeles Lakers.

In 2001, Mihm was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team after starting in 43 out of 59 games for the Cavaliers.

The center averaged 7.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1 block per game throughout his NBA career.

Career stats:

• 4,797 points
• 1,495 assists
• 1,331 rebounds

While T.J. Ford was a legend in Austin, his professional career was slightly disappointing after he was picked eighth overall in the 2003 NBA Draft.

Ford played a lengthy nine seasons in the league but fell short of ever breaking into the spotlight, yet his tenure and consistency in the NBA earns him a top-eight spot on this ranking.

Over his near decade in the NBA, Ford played for the Milwaukee Bucks, Toronto Raptors, and Indiana Pacers. He averaged 11.2 points, 5.8 assists, and 3.1 rebounds per game.

Career stats:

• 9,259 points
• 3,761 assists
• 1,805 rebounds

D.J. Augustin played just two years for the Horns and was then selected ninth overall by the Charlotte Bobcats in 2008.

Augustin went on to one of the longest NBA careers in Texas history. He played in the league for 14 years and for 11 different teams.

Over nearly a decade and a half, Augustin averaged 9.5 points, 3.9 asissts, and 1.8 rebounds per game.

Augustin played for the Bobcats, Indiana Pacers, Toronto Raptors, Chicago Bulls, Detroit Pistons, Oklahoma City Thunder, Denver Nuggets, Orlando Magic, Milwaukee Bucks, Houston Rockets, and the Lakers before hanging up his sneakers in 2022.

Career stats:

• 7,911 points
• 3,878 rebounds
• 1,269 blocks

While he's still in the league, Myles Turner has made a name for himself over his nine seasons in the NBA. After a year with Texas, Turner was drafted 11th overall by the Indiana Pacers, who he has played for ever since.

Turner shined brightly for the Pacers during their 2024 NBA Playoffs run, especially when Indiana took down the New York Knicks.

Last season, Turner averaged 17.1 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game.

Career stats:

• 150 points
• 131 rebounds
• 26 rebounds
• 20 blocks

Damion James played just four seasons in the league but became an NBA Champion in 2014 with the San Antonio Spurs.

James jumped between the G-League and the big leagues throughout his four-year stretch in the NBA after he was initially drafted by the then-New Jersey Nets.

In April of 2014, James signed a contract with the Spurs to play out the remainder of the season on their roster. Just two months later, he won an NBA Championship with San Antonio when they defeated the Miami Heat in four games.

Career stats:

• 5,854 points
• 4,770 rebounds
• 1,225 assists

Beloved Texas Longhorn P.J. Tucker wasn't selected until the second round of the 2006 NBA Draft when the Toronto Raptors picked up the 6-foot-5 power forward.

After a season with the Raptors, Tucker bounced around teams in European leagues before returning to the NBA in 2012 for the Phoenix Suns.

Tucker has subsequently played a highly successful 15 seasons in the league. He has averaged 6.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game over his 16-year career so far.

In 2021, Tucker won the NBA Championship with the Milwaukee Bucks when they swept the Phoenix Suns in three games.

Career stats:

• 20,558 points
• 8,736 rebounds
• 2,076 assists

After just two seasons in Austin, LaMarcus Aldridge declared for the 2006 NBA Draft and was selected second overall by the Portland Trail Blazers.

A seven-time NBA All-Star, two-time All-NBA Second Team member, and three-time All-NBA Third Team player, Aldridge had a long and incredible career in the league.

Over 1,076 games throughout his career, Aldridge averaged 19.1 points, 8.1 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.1 blocks per appearance.

Career stats:

• 6,753 points
• 6,294 rebounds
• 777 assists
• 515 blocks

Over the last decade, Tristan Thompson has made quite a name for himself, both on and off the court, including being a pinnacle part of the Cleveland Cavaliers' championship run in 2016.

Thompson started his NBA career with a nine-year stint for the Cavs before bouncing between the Celtics, Kings, Pacers, Bulls, and Lakers – eventually returning to the Cavs in 2023.

In his rookie season, Thompson was named to the All-NBA Second Team and continues to play in the league to this day. Throughout 14 years in the NBA, Thompson has averaged 8.7 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 1 assist per game.

Career stats:

• 28,924 points
• 7,454 rebounds
• 4,645 assists
• 1,196 blocks
• 1,124 steals

The Texas men's basketball G.O.A.T.

Kevin Durant is undeniably the greatest Longhorn to step foot on an NBA court.

Beyond his stats. KD is a two-time NBA Champion and two-time NBA Finals MVP. In 2014, he was the league MVP and is a 14-time NBA All Star.

In 2012 and 2019, Durant was named the All-Star Game MVP and is a six-time All-NBA First Team player. He is a five-time All-NBA Second Team member and was the 2008 NBA Rookie of the Year as well as being named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team.

In 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2014, KD was the NBA scoring champion and he has etched his name into the 50-40-90 club twice (2013 and 2023).

Durant was named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021 alongside greats like Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Charles Barkley, Kobe Bryant, and Wilt Chamberlain.

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