Yuta Tabuse (5'9, 165lbs)

Born: October 5, 1980. Yokohoma, Japan

High School: Noshiro Technical High School

College: Brigham Young University Hawaii

Drafted: Undrafted

Is the first Japanese born basketball player. He is dubbed the Michael Jordan of Japan because of his 9 straight national titles in Japan and the fact that can play at such a high level.

He has also played at BYU-Hawaii which is a Division II school and during that time he led the league in assists 6.6 apg and  7.6 ppg.

Although he was cut by NBA teams several times he has played in several preseason games for the LA Clippers  and Denver Nuggets as well as 4 regular season games with the Phoenix Suns before being cut by the team.

He is still attempting to one day make the NBA again now that he is playing in the JBL.

Wataru "三阪亙" Misaka (5'7 150lbs. [1st Round])

Born: Ogden, Utah

College: University of Utah

The Jackie Robinson of basketball. Wataru was the first ever minority to ever play in the NBA. He would have gone down to be a great player but he was cut from the New York Knicks for reasons that were not known to him. He was a first round draft pick and had played great for the University of Utah and had lead them to both NIT and NCAA Championships.

After being cut by the Knicks probably because of racism he went back to pursue his degree in engineering. 

Besides excelling in basketball he was also the captain of his high school football team, played shortstop, ran track and of course basketball.

"My father was an avid baseball fan and encouraged me to do whatever I wanted." 

 "I never know that I'm different. I only see what I see, and everybody else I see looks alike."

"I guess at the time I felt like it didn't have to be a reason" 

"Being a minority, we learned to live with that sort of thing without complaining. So that was not anything new."

Slater Martin (5'10, 170lbs. [10 Seasons] [5 Championships])

Born: El Mina, Texas

High School: Jefferson Davis High School

College: University of Texas

Played in the 1950s and went to the University of Texas! He was the big playmaker when the great George Mikan played and won championships. 

He was a 4 year starter at Texas where he once scored 49 points then served in the Navy during WW2. And helped the Lakers win 4 championships. Then later helping the Hawks win another title later in his career. 

Martin was great in high school already when he attended Jefferson Davis High School and helped them win 2 state championships.

Is the only Longhorn to be inducted to the Basketball Hall of Fame and his jersey number #15 was retired bo the University of Texas January 31, 2009. Making him the second Longhorn basketball player to recieve the honor.

Charlie Criss (5'8, 165lbs. [8 Seasons])

Born: Valhalla, New York

College: New Mexico State University

Drafted: Undrafted

Charlie Criss had it tough. It took him 7 long years to make the NBA. It was because of his height after succeeding at the Junior College level he went on to play at New Mexico College - Division I and was a big star there. Sadly he was not drafted.

He didn't give up and kept playing in the Eastern League (now known as the CBA) for 7 long  years becoming the best player there. Finally he was invited to the Atlanta Hawks training camp and has tasted what he had always wanted, making the NBA.

Charlie is a walking lesson of persistence and determination he now does clinics for kids helping them achieve their dreams on and off the court. In addition he has a graphics company and mentors players in the NDBL.

Althought Charlie has defeated the odds to make the NBA and to last 8 seasons there he still keeps his head  high and is still waiting to get in the NBA. This time as a scout or as a coach.

Isiah Thomas (6'1, 162lbs. [2nd Overall] [13 Seasons] [12 All-Star] [2 Championships])

Born:  April 30, 1961. Chicago, Illnois

High School: St. Joseph High School (Gene Pingatore)

College: Indiana (Bobby Knight)

Drafted: Detroit Pistons, 1981 1st Round, 2nd Overall

Was an NBA All-Star for 12 consecutive years. One of the greatest point guards ever to play the game, with great competitive drive and spirit that is not seen in today's guards. 

Isiah was born in the West side of Chicago where Taxi's and Delivery trucks often refused to go. It was a rough getto neighborhood. Youngest of 7 children and was the family's last hope for success, all his other brothers had failed to make the NBA and be successful due to drugs. 

Having a tough childhood would help Isiah develop his competitive drive and will to win. As a child he often went without heat and food in the house. Using basketball as his escape he would turn into one of the greatest basketball players we have seen in the NBA.

He would go on to attend Indiana University where he would help Bobby Knight lead the Hooisers to a championship. After that he had decided to turn pro in order to provide better housing for his family. 

Isiah was drafted 2nd in the NBA draft and would be an instant sensation in Detroit as he would make the All-Star team the first 12 years of his career and go on to lead the Pistons which were a terrible franchise when he got there to become a 2 time NBA World Champions.