All NFL Basketball Dream Team
We don't believe any of these players could have made it to the NBA, but they certainly had the athletic traits to make waves on the court.
Randy Moss, for instance, wouldn’t have been an elite basketball prospect, despite popular belief. Even Moss himself has admitted that competing against top-tier basketball talent, like Kevin Garnett, showed how much tougher the competition was. While Moss's 6'4" frame was great for the NFL, it would have made him a smaller shooting guard in the NBA. In basketball, almost everyone can play above the rim, so the size and athleticism that made him a star in the NFL would have been average in the basketball world.
Among those with the most basketball potential, Tyrell Pryor and Tee Higgins stand out. Both were explosive athletes with solid size for their positions. While they lacked the refined skill sets for basketball, they had the physical tools that could have been developed.
8 to 9 of the players on this list will likely be named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
STARTERS 1st Team - All NFL Basketball Team
C - Mo Alie-Cox - TE
6-7, 255
Basketball Career: All-Conference VCU
Alie-Cox was a four-year standout player at VCU. He started 103 of 142 games and totaled 1,092 points, 663 rebounds, 87 steals, 112 assists, and 255 blocks in 3,322 minutes. He averaged over 25 minutes a game in his final three years. His time as a tight end has also been productive as Alie-Cox has played 7 seasons for the Colts racking up 1,433 yards and 15 touchdowns.
F - Julius Thomas - TE
6-5, 230
Basketball Career: All-Conference Portland State University
Thomas played four seasons at Portland State. During his career, Thomas set school records for career games played (121), career wins (78), and career field-goal percentage (.663). He was named to the Big Sky All-Tournament team in both appearances, leading to two NCAA postseason berths (2008 and 2009). Thomas averaged 10.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, and shot a school-record .671 from the field as a senior. The two-time Pro Bowler played 6 NFL seasons, with his best year coming in 2013 when he recorded 788 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns.
F - Antonio Gates - TE
6-4, 255
Basketball Career: All-Conference Kent State University
Once he learned that Saban wanted him to focus solely on football, Gates transferred to Eastern Michigan University. He spent one season with the Eagles, playing in 18 games and averaging 10.2 points per game on .518 shooting, along with 7.4 rebounds and 1.3 assists. After transferring to Kent State, Gates flourished. As a junior, he led the Golden Flashes to a 24-5 record (17-1 MAC) with 16 points (.518), 8.1 rebounds, and 2.4 assists. Kent State made it to the Elite Eight in the NCAA tournament as a 10-seed, after upsetting 7-seed Oklahoma State, 2-seed Alabama, and 3-seed Pittsburgh. During his senior season, he received Honorable Mention All-American Honors from the Associated Press after averaging 20.6 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game. Labeled as a “tweener” due to his size (6'4"), Gates went undrafted out of college and hosted a workout with NFL teams. He went on to become one of the greatest tight ends in NFL history.
G - Ronald Curry - WR6-2, 210
Basketball Career: University of North Carolina, McDonalds All-American
Curry was the only member of this list to be selected as a McDonald's All-American in basketball. The Virginia native won Player of the Year honors in both basketball and football before deciding to attend the University of North Carolina. At Carolina, his time split between the two sports had adverse effects, and he chose to focus on football as a wide receiver. Curry serves as an example of what can happen when a player is spread too thin. Had he specialized in one sport, his skills might have led to a more successful NBA or NFL career. He spent two seasons, along with a redshirt year, in the basketball program, averaging 5 points per game in his final year. As it stands, he was the highest-rated combined football and basketball recruit. Curry had a decent NFL career, accumulating 717 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns in 2007.
G - Keon Coleman - WR
6-4, 210
Basketball Career: Michigan State University
Keon Coleman’s college basketball career at Michigan State was brief but notable. As a true freshman in the 2022 spring semester, he appeared in six games, scoring five points and recording three steals in just 10 minutes of total action. A standout three-sport athlete, Coleman was named MVP of the 2021 Louisiana High School Coaches Association All-Star Game after dropping 25 points. He also high jumped 6'2" as a high school sophomore. Though he eventually transferred to Florida State and chose to focus solely on football, the fact that he earned playing time under legendary coach Tom Izzo at a powerhouse program like Michigan State is a testament to his elite athleticism and versatility.
BENCH 2nd Team - All NFL Basketball Team
F - Julius Peppers - DE
6-7, 270
Basketball Career: University of North Carolina
Peppers averaged 5.7 points per game over his two seasons (56 games), shooting .607 from inside the arc, and played 16 minutes per game. He started both NCAA Tournament games for UNC in 2001. In those games, he scored 12 points against Princeton and a career-high 21 points with 10 rebounds against Penn State, marking his first career double-double. He made 13 of 15 field-goal attempts across the two NCAA Tournament games. Before becoming arguably the greatest tight end in NFL history, Tony Gonzalez was a two-sport athlete at the University of California. In his three years with the Golden Bears, Gonzalez averaged 6.4 points per game on 51.1% shooting in 82 games.
F - Tony Gonzalez - TE
6-5, 230
Basketball Career: University of California
Before becoming arguably the greatest tight end in NFL history, Tony Gonzalez was a two-sport athlete at the University of California. In his three years with the Golden Bears, Gonzalez averaged 6.4 points per game on 51.1% shooting in 82 games.
F - Terrelle Pryor - QB
6-5, 225
Basketball Career: Jeanateeville High School, PA
Pryor was all set to give up football and attend the prestigious basketball powerhouse Oak Hill Academy after his sophomore season. However, someone convinced him that football should be his choice. Standing around 6'7" and being a world-class athlete with long arms, Pryor had the makings of an elite basketball prospect. He stayed home in Jeannette, PA, where he became the greatest high school player in the country, earning the #1 ranking in the class of 2008. Despite not attending Oak Hill, he continued playing basketball throughout high school, culminating in being ranked 37th in the class of 2008, despite focusing more on football. Pryor lived up to his basketball recruiting ranking by leading the Jeannette Jayhawks to their first WPIAL Championship in over 20 years, then going on to win the Pennsylvania PIAA state basketball championship as a senior. As a basketball player, he was named a fourth-team Parade All-American in 2008 and was rated as the 39th overall basketball prospect in the ESPN Top 100. He received basketball offers from Florida, Ohio State, Penn State, Tennessee, and West Virginia.
G- DeAndre Hopkins - WR
6-2, 205
Basketball Career: University of Clemson
Hopkins had his best season as a sophomore, averaging 20.1 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 8.4 assists per game. He also averaged 3.0 steals per game throughout his high school career. Playing both shooting guard and point guard, Hopkins scored a total of 1,453 career points. In his senior season (2009–10), the Lions won their third South Carolina State Championship, and Hopkins was named the Independent Mail's Player of the Year. He played 7 games of college basketball for Clemson, but by that time, his basketball skills had diminished due to the team being depleted by injuries.
G - Donovan McNabb - QB
6-2, 220
Basketball Career: University of Syracuse
McNabb was a two-sport athlete at Mount Carmel High School before going on to play both football and basketball at Syracuse University. At Mount Carmel, he was a sophomore teammate of future NFL players Simeon Rice and Matt Cushing. On the basketball team, he played alongside future NBA star Antoine Walker. At Syracuse, McNabb was also a walk-on for two seasons on the basketball team under head coach Jim Boeheim. He spent two years as a reserve on the school's nationally ranked basketball team, including the 1996 squad that lost to Kentucky (a team led by his former high-school teammate, Antoine Walker) in the National Championship game. During his senior season, McNabb averaged 2.8 points and 1.3 rebounds per game.
C - Jimmy Grahm - TE
6-7, 240
Basketball Career: University of Miami
At 6'7", it should come as no surprise that Jimmy Graham was a successful collegiate basketball player at the University of Miami (FL). A four-year player, Graham played 120 games for the Hurricanes. From 2007 to 2009, he averaged 5.2 points per game, five rebounds, 0.5 assists, and one block. He would go on to become one of the best tight ends in Pro Football history.
G - Tee Higgins - WR
6-4, 200
Basketball Career: Oak Ridge High School
Higgins was the best above-the-rim athlete on our list. He attended Oak Ridge High School in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, where he also played basketball and received scholarship offers from several Division I programs, including Louisville, Tennessee, and Auburn. In his junior year, he averaged 15.1 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 3.7 assists, and was a finalist for Mr. Basketball. Higgins has the size, skill, and athleticism rarely seen in basketball/football prospects.
Blending an improved 3-point shot with a well-established ability to play above the rim, Higgins stood out as a versatile athlete. He was named PrepXtra Boys Basketball Player of the Year and a Class AAA Mr. Basketball finalist for his efforts. He shot nearly 50 percent from the field and just under 40 percent from the 3-point line, which is highly impressive. "I think that's what separates him from others: His skill level in handling the ball and scoring," said his coach. In a regular-season game against Class AAA state semifinalist Cordova, Higgins scored 26 points and grabbed 15 rebounds. The only reason Higgins isn't higher on the list is because he did not play college basketball.
F - Vincent Jackson - WR
6-4, 200
Basketball Career: University of Northern Colorado
The former Pro Bowl wide receiver, Jackson, attended Widefield High School in Colorado Springs, Colorado. As a senior, he was a Rocky Mountain News All-State Honorable Mention, a first-team all-area pick, and a first-team all-conference pick. He was also a standout in basketball. Jackson decided to attend the University of Northern Colorado on a partial scholarship to play both basketball and football. While in college, he excelled, averaging 10.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.6 assists. He later went on to have a successful NFL career, spending his best years with the San Diego Chargers.
Horrible Mention: All NFL Basketball Team
G - Joe Burrow - QB
6-5, 215
Basketball Career: Athlens High School
Before becoming a star quarterback, Joe Burrow was a standout point guard at Athens High School in Ohio, where he played basketball all four years. As a senior, he earned first-team All-Ohio honors, averaging 20.0 points per game. He finished his high school career with 1,426 points — the second-highest total in school history.
G- Antwan Randle El - WR
5-10, 185
Basketball Career: University of Indiana
The wide receiver played sparingly for Bob Knight's Indiana Hoosiers. His lone season came in 1999, where he averaged 1.5 points on 36% shooting. A longtime Pittsburgh Steeler, he finished his career with 4,467 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns.
G - Ben Rotheislburger - QB
6-5, 230
Basketball Career: Findlay High School
The Steelers QB averaged a 30-point triple-double in high school. At Findlay High School in Findlay, Ohio, Roethlisberger was captain of the Trojans' football, basketball, and baseball teams. The surprising part is that the future Hall of Fame QB was a victim of nepotism, with the quarterback position going to the coach’s son. On the basketball court, he averaged 30 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists, earning Conference Player of the Year honors.
G - Terrell Owens - WR
6-3, 200
Basketball Career: University of Tennesee Chattanouga
He played at Tennessee Chattanooga as a defensive stopper. His skills were displayed in several NBA celebrity and charity games. He played three years at Tennessee Chattanooga, averaging 1.5 points and 1.3 rebounds. He played his final year of basketball as a junior, choosing to focus on football afterward.
F - Martellus Bennett
6-7, 250
Basketball Career: Alief Taylor High School
Martellus Bennett played both football and basketball at Alief Taylor High School in Houston, Texas. As a senior, he averaged 23 points and 8.2 rebounds per game in basketball. Bennett also had interest in playing professional basketball, so after his senior season, he declared for the 2005 NBA draft. He did not hire an agent, intending to go to college if he wasn’t selected in the first round. NBA scouts informed him that it was unlikely he would be selected, so he withdrew from the draft a few days prior. Bennett also played basketball for Texas A&M for two seasons under head coach Billy Gillispie, but decided to focus on football in January 2007. In the 2005–06 season, his first, he became the first Texas A&M athlete since 1969 to letter in both basketball and football. He played in 26 games his freshman season, averaging 1.9 points and 1.5 rebounds. In his sophomore season, before choosing football, he averaged 0.5 points and 0.5 rebounds.
F - Connor Barwin - DE
6-4, 240
Basketball Career: University of Cincinatti
He used his physical frame to become a dominant force. He walked on to the University of Cincinnati's basketball team, where he played for two seasons, averaging 1.3 points and 1.8 rebounds.
G - AJ Green - WR
6-5, 190
Basketball Career: Summerville High School
Green led his high school team to multiple state championships. He attended Summerville High School in Summerville, South Carolina, where he was a three-sport athlete in football, basketball, and track. He played wide receiver for the Summerville Green Wave football team under coach John McKissick and was widely considered one of the top national football prospects of the Class of 2008, ranked #1 by Sports Illustrated. Green was also a member of the Summerville High School basketball team that won the 2007–2008 South Carolina state championship in a championship game against Spartanburg High. The game was played in memory of their fallen assistant coach, Captain Louis Mulkey, of the Charleston Fire Department, who tragically died responding to a fire with eight other firefighters on June 18, 2007. Green was an excellent player who showed mid-Division 1 basketball potential.
G - Henry Ruggs - WR
6-1, 180
Basketball Career: Lee-Montgomery High School
Ruggs was also a standout football player, but his basketball skills were recognized as impressive, leading some to consider him a potential NBA prospect if he had chosen basketball. He played basketball at Lee-Montgomery High School, where he was a multi-sport athlete, also playing football and running track. Ruggs was known for his impressive dunking abilities, with highlight reels showcasing his acrobatic moves and head over the rim. His 100-meter dash time of 10.58 seconds set the Alabama High School Athletic Association's class 7A record.
G - Davante Adams - WR
6-1, 200
Basketball Career: Palo Alto High School
He had far more offers for basketball than football. He went to Fresno State to play both football and basketball. He was a two-star recruit in basketball, lettering all four years. As a senior, he averaged 9.0 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 5.4 assists.
F - Sam Clancy - DE
6-7, 265
Basketball Career: Semi-Professional
Before making his mark in the NFL, Sam Clancy was a standout college basketball player at the University of Pittsburgh. He was a key member of the gold medal–winning 1979 U.S. Pan American Games team and went on to play professionally in the Continental Basketball Association, averaging 11.5 points and 8.3 rebounds per game for the Billings Volcanos during the 1981–82 season. Remarkably, Clancy never played college football. Despite that, he transitioned to the NFL, carving out a successful career as a defensive end with the Seattle Seahawks, Cleveland Browns, and Indianapolis Colts, as well as stints in the USFL with the Pittsburgh Maulers and Memphis Showboats.
F - Rico Gathers - TE
6-8, 270
Basketball Career: University of Baylor
While he only played 15 games and had 3 catches for the Dallas Cowboys, those stats still count. The rugged big man played four seasons at Baylor, averaging 8 points and 8 rebounds.
F - Darren Fells, Houston Texans - TE
6-7, 260
Basketball Career: UC Irvine
Of all the players mentioned, only Darren Fells continued his basketball career after college. He didn’t even play football while at UC Irvine. Fells played four seasons at UC Irvine, averaging 10.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game, while shooting 53.6% from two-point range. From 2008 to 2012, Fells played professional basketball in Argentina, Mexico, Belgium, Finland, and France. Over the course of his professional career, he played 206 games, averaging 27 minutes per game. He posted averages of 10.7 points, 6 rebounds, 1.39 assists, and 1.07 steals per game, shooting 50.7%.
G - Joe Montana - QB
6-3, 200
Basketball Career: North Carolina State Basketball Offer
Joe Montana grew up in Monongahela, a coal mining town about 25 miles south of Pittsburgh. While he’s best known for football, Montana had a deep love for sports—especially basketball, which was his favorite growing up. His father, Joe Sr., even started a local basketball team that Joe played on. They practiced at the local armory and competed in regional tournaments, where Montana quickly stood out. He helped lead Ringgold High School to the 1973 WPIAL Class AAA boys’ basketball championship and earned all-state honors. His talent on the court was so impressive that during his senior year, North Carolina State offered him a basketball scholarship. Montana seriously considered attending, especially since the school promised he could play both basketball and football, ultimately he turned it down.
G - Quintin Rollins - CB
6-3, 200
Basketball Career: Miami Ohio
Quinten Rollins wasn’t known for his shooting or his ability to stay out of foul trouble, but his on-ball defense was invaluable for a 6'3" wing. During his college basketball career, he averaged 1.5 points and 1.3 rebounds per game. Rollins’ transition to professional athletics was anything but ordinary. After four seasons playing basketball at Miami (OH), he joined the school's football team for one season, where he earned MAC Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2014.
NBA Players That Could Have Been NFL Stars
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