Former standouts Danny Manning of Kansas, Mitch Richmond of Kansas State and Mookie Blaylock from Oklahoma are not currently in the league. The three players had played a combined 40 years in the pros. Former Oklahoma State player Bryant Reeves and John Starks are also on the sidelines, leaving Desmond Mason as the lone Cowboy in the NBA.

Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Indiana, Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis, and Sacramento have two players from Big 12 schools.

2002-03 NBA Opening Roster Players from Big 12 Schools

Name (Team, years in NBA prior to 2001-02)

BAYLOR

Brian Skinner (Philadelphia, 4)

David Wesley (New Orleans, 9)

COLORADO

Chauncey Billups (Detroit, 5)

IOWA STATE

Kelvin Cato (Houston, 5)

Marcus Fizer (Chicago, 2)

Fred Hoiberg (Chicago, 6)

Jamaal Tinsley (Indiana, 1)

KANSAS

Drew Gooden (Memphis, R)

Raef LaFrentz (Dallas, 4)

Greg Ostertag (Utah, 7)

Paul Pierce (Boston, 4)

Scot Pollard (Sacramento, 5)

Jacque Vaughn (Orlando, 5)

MISSOURI

Keyon Dooling (L.A. Clippers, 2)

Anthony Peeler (Minnesota, 10)

Kareem Rush (L.A. Lakers, R)

NEBRASKA

Tyronn Lue (Washington, 4)

Eric Piatkowski (L.A. Clippers, 7)

Erick Strickland (Indiana, 7)

OKLAHOMA

Eduardo Najera (Dallas, 2)

Brent Price (Sacramento, 9)

OKLAHOMA STATE

Desmond Mason (Seattle, 2)

TEXAS

Chris Mihm (Cleveland, 1)

Chris Owens (Memphis, R)

TEXAS TECH

Tony Battie (Boston, 5)

Darvin Ham (Atlanta, 5)