10 Feet High

Throwback jerseys have become an institution in themselves. Kids walking down the street wearing an old Magic or Jordan jersey is more than just clothing; it's a fashion statement. Whether you rep your team or favorite player it doesn't matter. But how about some of the players who never made it to the show, but who were great collegians? Or how about guys we identify only with one team, but for a brief moment in their careers, they actually were on another? Everyone thinks Kobe has been a Laker his whole career. Not true. Interested? Keep reading and find out why. This is part one (of three) of the best basketball jerseys never commercially made. Enjoy...

Dajuan Wagner jersey – His NBA career was a bust, but the kid scored 100 points in one high school game.

Acie Law IV (Texas A&M) – I loved Law at A&M. So smooth with the ball, and how cool does Law IV sound?

Stephen Curry (Davidson) – Other than Ray Allen, is there a nicer shooting stroke out there? Curry has gone from virtual unknown to lottery pick - plus I here he’s a scratch golfer as well.

Seth Curry (Liberty) – This jersey could be even better than older bro Steph. After lighting up the Big South Conference, Seth then transferred to Duke. He doesn’t yet have the size or handle as Stephon, but as he develops in the ACC (he won’t be eligible to play until 2010-2011 season), the Liberty Flames jersey may be worth having.

Michael Olowokandi (Pacific) – “The Kandy Man” goes down as one of the worst #1 picks in NBA history, but his Pacific Tigers jersey would draw some serious “What the” looks.

Kenny Lofton (Arizona) – Loften was one of those rare guys on the other team who you’d actually say during a baseball game, “man I love that guy.” For those who don’t know, he was also quite a player at POINT GUARD U in Tucson.

Len Bias (Maryland) – Bias is as sad a story as you’ll ever hear, but before he passed, the #2 pick of the Celtics may have been the greatest player ever to come out of College Park.

Felipe Lopez (St. John’s) – Was a high school superstar who appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated as the top freshmen in the country, Lopez was supposed to be the original LeBron when he entered St. John’s. He never lived up to the bill – although he did have a cup of coffee in the league – but this would be a very cool jersey to have.

Jesus Shuttlesworth (Lincoln High) – Is there a better movie ever made than “He Got Game?” Okay, maybe that was taking it too far, but the Jesus Shuttelsworth mantra will forever live on. This jersey would be in my top 3. Go Rail-Splitters.

Kyle Lee Watson (Georgetown) – “Above the Rim” was another terrific basketball flick, and “Mr. What kinda country ass name is that” Kyle Lee Watson had as pure a handle as you’ll find for an actor. Side Note: Saw this dude at a wedding recently. Apparently he’s a sports agent now…

Jimmy Chitwood (Hickory High) – Run the picket fence baby! Side Note: I may be insane, but I’m convinced that if I played basketball in the 1950s, I would - at the bare minimum - make an NBA roster.

Shawn Kemp (Trinity Junior College) – Kemp was part of the hybrid in the early to mid 1990s that helped change the culture of the power forward in the NBA. Something tells me there aren’t too many Trinity JC jerseys out there.

Shawn Kemp (Kentucky) – Kemp actually signed a letter of intent to play in Lexington, but never even played a game.

Jason Williams (Florida) – “The Thrilla ‘n Vanilla” was a white point guard with the handle of a Brooklyn street legend. As a freshman at Florida, “White Chocolate” was sensational.

Rafer Alston (Fresno St.)– “Skip to my Lou” is just cool.

Ron Artest (St John's) – I’ve always appreciated the talent of Artest – lock up “D” and an underrated scorer. He's become one of the best two-way players in the league - a true street fighter. If only these talents could translate to his rap game.

Bill Bradley (Princeton) – The Rhodes Scholar led Princeton – yes Princeton – to a number three national ranking while scoring 58 points in the consolation game of the tournament.

Leandro Barbosa (Palmeiras-Brazil) – “The Brazilian Blur’s” Brazilian club team jersey is sure to get major props.

Shaq aka Neon Budeax (“Blue Chips”) – Most underrated movie of all time. “This class is culturally biased!”

Penny Hardaway aka Butch McRae (“Blue Chips”) – Do you realize how good Penny Hardaway was before he got hurt? Put it this way – the guy was a 6-7 point guard who made four All-Star games by the age of 27!

Penny Hardaway (Memphis State) – “Say hello to my man Kevin Garnett. Tell him little Penny from the science club says hello.”

Barack Obama (Punahou High) – Imagine knowing then what we know now.

Sarah Palin (Wasilla High) - Won a state championship as a guard.

Monta Ellis (Lanier High School) – Any guy that averages 45 points per game deserves to be on my back.

Kevin Durant (Texas) – Just love watching him score the basketball. Side Note: Apparently during conditioning tests before the draft, KD couldn't even lift 185 lbs. once! I feel better about myself.

Michael Beasley (K-State) – How corrupt is Bobby Huggins? To ink Beasley, “Huggy Bear” hired his AAU coach, only he got fired once Beasley declared. Nevertheless, Beasley had one of the greatest freshman campaigns of all time.

Chris Paul (West Forsyth High) – During his senior year, Paul’s grandfather passed away at the age of 63. That night, Paul had scored 61 points when he went to the free-throw line. He purposely shot an air-ball, and checked himself out of the game with tears in his eyes.

Eddie House (Arizona State) – Guess who holds the all-time Pac 10 single game scoring record? Kareem? Nope. Gary Payton? Guess again. Reggie Miller? Wrong. How about Eddie House?!!! House dropped 61 on Cal.

David Robinson (Navy) – “The Admiral” led Navy to the Elite 8. That alone is enough to purchase his Midshipmen jersey.

Bryce Drew (Valpo) – His miracle shot to lead Valpo over Ole Miss in the 1998 NCAA Tourney will never be forgotten.

Kyle Korver (Creighton) – I just love un-athletic guys who can shoot the lights out.

Kevin Martin (Coastal Carolina) – I can’t stand his game, but Martin has developed into one of the best scorers in the NBA, and nobody else in American owns a Coastal Carolina jersey.

Adam Morrison (Gonzaga) – His atrocious mustache in college is reason enough.

JJ Redick (Duke) – Just because I hate him.

Jameer Nelson (St. Joes) – I want this jersey to remind me of Phil Martelli’s bald head.

Tony Parker (Paris Basket Racing) – Parker first signed with them when he was 17, and I guarantee you no one has that jersey. Parker has said that he used to sneak into a small room at night and watch the NBA Playoffs as a kid. Now he sneaks in to the bedroom and watches Eva Longoria to make “sexy time.” “Niccceeee.”

Rodney Stuckey (Eastern Washington) – You gotta love the small school guys. Despite growing up just outside of Seattle, Stuckey wasn’t even recruited by Washington. The former Big Sky Player of the Year’s college jersey is worth owning. Extra bonus: I've been saying he'd be a good pro since high school.