March Madness Magic: 12 Players Who Became Legends During the NCAA Tournament
Would any of us even know the name “Sister Jean” if it wasn’t for March Madness?
Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, Loyola Chicago’s beloved team chaplain who is now an incredible 105 years old, is a perfect example of how March Madness has a way of turning even the unlikeliest of figures into household names.
A long-time nun and educator in Chicago, Sister Jean has been loyally supporting Loyola basketball for decades, offering pregame prayers, scouting reports, and words of encouragement. But it wasn’t until 2018, when Loyola’s Ramblers stunned the college basketball world with a magical Final Four run, that Sister Jean became a national icon.
At 98 years old during this run, her wit, wisdom, and unshakable faith captivated sports fans, turning her into the face of one of the tournament’s greatest Cinderella stories. Cameras followed her every reaction, interview requests poured in, and she even landed her own bobblehead.
But Sister Jean was more than a charismatic good-luck charm. Her life’s work in education, civil rights, and community service ran far deeper than basketball, even though it was the sport that finally brought her the recognition she deserved.
She isn’t alone in this respect. For decades, March Madness has catapulted players, coaches, and even sideline characters like Sister Jean into the national spotlight, giving them their 15 minutes of fame –much more than that, in a lot of cases. Some have gone on to have legendary careers in the NBA, others became viral sensations, and a few simply etched their names into college basketball lore forever.
Here are 12 players whose fame, infamy, and legend were forged under the bright lights of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.
1. Christian Laettner (Duke, 1992)
Christian Laettner’s name is synonymous with March Madness, thanks to his legendary performances and polarizing presence. His defining moment came in the 1992 Elite Eight against Kentucky, where he hit a perfect turnaround buzzer-beater after catching a full-court pass from Grant Hill. He finished the game a flawless 10-for-10 from the field and free-throw line, leading Duke to back-to-back national titles and four straight Final Fours.
Laettner’s tournament heroics made him a college basketball icon, earning him the third pick in the 1992 NBA Draft and a spot on the Dream Team. Though his NBA career included an All-Star selection, he never matched his Duke dominance. Still, his Kentucky buzzer-beater remains one of the most unforgettable moments in March Madness history.
2. Steph Curry (Davidson, 2008)
Before the 2008 NCAA Tournament, Steph Curry was a talented but little-known guard from mid-major Davidson. That changed when he led the Wildcats on a stunning Cinderella run to the Elite Eight, electrifying fans with his deep three-pointers and unstoppable scoring.
Curry dropped 40 points against Gonzaga, 30 against Georgetown, and 33 against Wisconsin, knocking out powerhouses while showcasing his elite shooting. Though Davidson fell short against Kansas, his tournament heroics made him a national sensation.
His March Madness breakout propelled him into the NBA lottery, where he was drafted seventh overall in 2009. He went on to revolutionize the game with his three-point shooting, winning multiple MVPs and leading the Golden State Warriors to multiple championships.
3. Gordon Hayward (Butler, 2010)
Gordon Hayward was a skilled but little-known forward from mid-major Butler. That changed during the 2010 NCAA Tournament when he led the Bulldogs on a shocking run to the national championship game, where they came within inches of the greatest Cinderella story ever.
Hayward played a crucial role in Butler’s upsets over Syracuse, Kansas State, and Michigan State, helping them become the first mid-major to reach the title game since 1979. In the final seconds against Duke, he launched a half-court shot that narrowly missed, a moment forever etched in March Madness history.
His tournament heroics made him a lottery pick in the 2010 NBA Draft. Hayward went on to become an NBA All-Star with the Utah Jazz, enjoying a solid pro career despite injuries.
4. Kemba Walker (UConn, 2011)
A well-regarded but not yet legendary guard for UConn Kemba Walker delivered one of the greatest postseason runs in college basketball history, carrying the Huskies to an improbable national championship in 2011.
Walker’s magic started in the Big East Tournament, where he led UConn to five wins in five days, including a signature step-back buzzer-beater against Pitt. He carried that momentum into March Madness, dominating with clutch performances and averaging 23.5 points per game. UConn won six straight to claim the title, cementing Walker’s legacy.
His historic run made him a lottery pick in the 2011 NBA Draft. He went on to have a successful NBA career, earning multiple All-Star selections and becoming known for his elite scoring and clutch play.
5. Harold Arceneaux (Weber State, 1999)
Harold Arceneaux was an unknown junior at Weber State. Then, he delivered one of the most stunning individual performances in March Madness history, earning the nickname “The Show.”
In the first round of the 1999 NCAA Tournament, Arceneaux torched No. 3 seed North Carolina for 36 points, leading 14th-seeded Weber State to a shocking upset. He followed that with 32 points against Florida, nearly pulling off another stunner. His fearless scoring and electrifying play made him a March Madness legend seemingly overnight.
Despite his breakout moment, Arceneaux went undrafted but carved out a long international career, playing professionally in Europe and South America. Though he never reached the NBA, his tournament heroics remain one of the great individual performances in March Madness history.
6. Bryce Drew (Valparaiso, 1998)
Before the 1998 NCAA Tournament, Bryce Drew was a solid but little-known guard playing for his father at Valparaiso. That changed in an instant when he delivered one of the most iconic buzzer-beaters in March Madness history.
In the first round against Ole Miss, 13th-seeded Valparaiso trailed by two with seconds left. After a full-court pass and a perfect touch pass, Drew caught the ball beyond the arc and drilled a game-winning three-point bucket as time expired. Simply known today as “The Shot,” this play sent Valpo to the second round and made Drew a national sensation.
His heroics helped him reach the NBA, where he played several seasons before transitioning into coaching. He later became the head coach at Valparaiso, leading his alma mater back to the tournament to further cement his legacy in college basketball history.
7. Ali Farokhmanesh (Northern Iowa, 2010)
Ali Farokhmanesh was an unknown senior guard at Northern Iowa. That changed in 2010 when he made one of the gutsiest shots in March Madness history, helping the Panthers pull off a stunning upset.
Facing top-seeded Kansas in the second round, Northern Iowa was clinging to a late lead when Farokhmanesh found himself wide open beyond the arc. Instead of running down the clock, he fearlessly launched a deep three — and drained it — sealing a shocking upset of the tournament favorite. His cold-blooded shot instantly became an iconic March Madness’s moment.
Though he went undrafted, Farokhmanesh played professionally overseas before transitioning into coaching.
8. Danny Manning (Kansas, 1988)
Danny Manning was already a standout when Kansas entered the 1988 NCAA Tournament, but his legendary performance that March elevated him to the status of an all-time great. Leading a 6-seed Jayhawks squad with limited depth, Manning carried the team on his back in what became known as the “Danny and the Miracles” run.
Manning dominated throughout the tournament, culminating in a 31-point, 18-rebound masterpiece against heavily favored Oklahoma in the national championship game. His heroics led Kansas to an improbable title and earned him the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player award.
Selected first overall in the 1988 NBA Draft, Manning had a solid pro career, making two All-Star teams despite multiple knee injuries. He later transitioned into coaching, continuing his legacy in college basketball.
9. Carmelo Anthony (Syracuse, 2003)
Before the 2003 NCAA Tournament, Carmelo Anthony was a highly touted freshman, but his dominance in March elevated him to legendary status. At just 18 years old, he led Syracuse on a championship run that showcased his elite scoring, rebounding, and all-around play.
Anthony was unstoppable throughout the tournament, averaging 20-plus points per game, but his masterpiece came in the Final Four against Texas, where he dropped 33 points and grabbed 14 rebounds. In the national championship game, he controlled the pace and led Syracuse to its first-ever title, earning Most Outstanding Player honors.
Anthony became the third overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft. He went on to have a Hall of Fame-worthy career, becoming a 10-time All-Star and one of the greatest scorers in NBA history.
10. Bo Kimble (Loyola Marymount, 1990)
Bo Kimble was a star scorer for Loyola Marymount, but it was a heartbreaking tragedy that made his 1990 March Madness run unforgettable. Just weeks before the tournament, Kimble’s teammate and best friend, Hank Gathers, tragically collapsed and died during a game due to a heart condition.
Playing with heavy hearts, Kimble led Loyola Marymount on an emotional run to the Elite Eight, honoring Gathers by shooting his first free throw of each game left-handed — just as Gathers once did. He scored 45 points in the first round and helped LMU upset Michigan, all while carrying the weight of his team's grief.
Kimble became a first-round NBA draft pick but had a brief professional career. Still, his tribute to Gathers remains one of the most moving stories in March Madness history.
11. Kevin Pittsnogle (West Virginia, 2005)
Kevin Pittsnogle was an unheralded big man at West Virginia, known more for his unusual name than his game. That quickly changed in 2005 when he became the unlikely star of the Mountaineers’ surprising run to the Elite Eight.
At 6-foot-11, Pittsnogle defied expectations with his deadly three-point shooting, stretching defenses in a way few big men could at the time. He dropped 22 points in an upset over Wake Forest and then scored 25 against Louisville in a heartbreaking overtime loss. His fearless shooting and signature tattoos made him a cult hero of the tournament.
Though he went undrafted, Pittsnogle played briefly in the NBA and overseas. His March Madness performance remains one of the most memorable Cinderella storylines of the 2000s.
12. Donte DiVincenzo (Villanova, 2018)
In 2018, Donte DiVincenzo was a solid role player for Villanova but far from a household name. That changed on the biggest stage when he delivered one of the most dominant performances in NCAA championship history.
Coming off the bench in the national title game against Michigan, DiVincenzo erupted for 31 points, the most in a championship game in nearly 40 years. His clutch shooting and defensive impact earned him Most Outstanding Player honors and propelled Villanova to its second title in three years.
His breakout moment elevated his draft stock, leading him to be selected 17th overall in the 2018 NBA Draft. DiVincenzo went on to become a key contributor in the NBA, winning a championship with the Milwaukee Bucks and establishing himself as a valuable two-way player.
