The 8 greatest NBA careers in Miami Hurricanes history

Jim Larrañaga has seen many talented players pass through his locker room at Miami. Before he took over the Hurricane program, the Canes had even more incredibly talented stars take the court.

The Hurricanes basketball team was started in 1926, nearly 100 years ago. Despite a 14-year-long gap in playing, Miami has had historic players on its rosters.

However, which eight Canes went on to be great at the next level? Which eight Miami stars had the greatest NBA careers in program history?

Despite going undrafted in 2012, DeQuan Jones had a standout rookie season with the Orlando Magic that year.

On March 27, 2013, the former Miami Hurricane scored a season-high 13 points against the Charlotte Bobcats, going 6-of-9 from the field.

While his career in the NBA wasn't long or record-setting, he did win the NBA G League Slam Dunk Contest Champion and Most Improved Player in 2018.

After four seasons with the Miami Hurricanes, averaging 10.3 points and 3.6 rebounds per game, Davon Reed was taken early in the second round of the 2017 NBA Draft.

Over the first four years of his professional career, Reed signed two-way contracts to play for the Phoenix Suns and Northern Arizona Suns as well as the Indiana Pacers and Fort Wayne Mad Ants.

In 2021, he signed a contract with the Denver Nuggets and spent a fairly successful three seasons on the team.

Lonnie Walker played just one season for the Canes. He averaged 11.5 points per game and was named to the ACC All-Freshman team, and then Walker declared for the NBA Draft.

The San Antonio Spurs selected Walker as the 18th overall pick in the 2018 draft and he spent the first four years of his professional career with them.

Walker then played for the Los Angeles Lakers for two seasons and is currently on the Brooklyn Nets roster.

After 122 total games for the Canes, James Jones was drafted by the Indiana Pacers in 2003.

Jones would go on to play 14 seasons in the NBA and became a three-time NBA Champion.

In 2012 and 2013, Jones won the title alongside Lebron James. He then ventured to the Cleveland Cavaliers with James where they won yet another title in 2016.

Jones also won the 2011 NBA Three-Point Contest.

Despite suffering a season-ending injury during his sophomore year with the Canes, Bruce Brown was selected 42nd overall by the Detroit Pistons in the 2018 NBA Draft.

Over the last six seasons, Brown has bounced between teams. From the Pistons to the Nets to the Denver Nuggets to the Indiana Pacers.

Now, Brown is an NBA Champion, having been on the 2023 Nuggets team, and is currently on the Toronto Raptors roster.

Shane Larkin never won an NBA Championship but his tenure in the NBA and subsequent professional career earns him a spot on the all-time podium for the Hurricanes.

Drafted 18th overall in 2011, Larkin in the league for five years and has since won multiple international championships.

Originally selected by the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Draft, Larkin also played for the New York Knicks, Brooklyn Nets, and Boston Celtics.

John Salmons has the second-longest NBA career in Miami Hurricanes history, second only to James Jones.

Over 13 years in the league, played in 895 games, averaged 9.26 points per game, and shot 43.1 percent from the field.

Salmons was drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers and later played for the Sacramento Kings, Chicago Bulls, Milwaukee Bucks, Toronto Raptors, and New Orleans Pelicans.

The highest-ever NBA Draft pick for a Miami Hurricane was Ricky Barry in 1965, taken second overall.

Barry had already cemented himself as a Canes legend while playing college ball in Coral Gables but his professional career went (a few) steps further.

Barry was an NBA Champion and the Finals MVP in 1975 with the Golden State Warriors. He was an eight-time NBA All-Star and a five-time member of the All-NBA First Team.

In 1966 he was the NBA Rookie of the Year. His jersey, No. 24, is now retired both at the University of Miami and by Golden State.

Barry averaged 24.9 points per game, scoring 25,279 total points in his career. He was named to both the 50th and 75th NBA Anniversary teams.