The Southeastern Conference maintains its strong presence in the NBA for the 2007-2008 season as 41 former players are on 21 of the 30 NBA teams on the opening day's rosters. Nine of the 12 SEC schools have former standouts holding roster spots at the beginning of the league's 62nd season.
Florida and Kentucky top the list with 10 former players each on the rosters of 15 different NBA squads. Detroit has five former SECers on its team while Boston, Charlotte, Memphis, Miami, Minnesota and New York each have three former conference players on their rosters.
Bolstering the list of former SEC players, LSU has six former players in the league. The former Tigers have accumulated 29 years of NBA experience, led by Shaquille O'Neal who is in his 15th season and is currently playing for Miami.
Alabama is next in line with five former SEC players in the NBA. The former Crimson Tide players have accumulated 36 years of NBA experience, led by Robert Horry (San Antonio--15th season) and Antonio McDyess (Detroit--11th season). Arkansas and South Carolina have three players while Georgia has two and Auburn and Mississippi State each have one.
In addition, the NBA lists 10 coaches who attended college at a current SEC institution. Pat Riley highlights the coaching list as the Kentucky graduate is Miami's head coach.
ALABAMA (5) NBA Seasons Current Team Jermareo Davidson R Charlotte Robert Horry 15 San Antonio Antonio McDyess 11 Detroit Gerald Wallace 6 Charlotte Maurice Williams 4 Milwaukee
ARKANSAS (3) Ronnie Brewer 1 Utah Joe Johnson 6 Atlanta Jannero Pargo 5 New Orleans
AUBURN (1) Marquis Daniels 4 Indiana
FLORIDA (10) Matt Bonner 3 San Antonio Corey Brewer R Minnesota Taurean Green R Portland Udonis Haslem 4 Miami Al Horford R Atlanta David Lee 2 New York Mike Miller 7 Memphis Joakim Noah R Chicago Chris Richard R Minnesota Jason Williams 9 Miami
GEORGIA (2) Jarvis Hayes 4 Detroit Damien Wilkins 3 Seattle
KENTUCKY (10) Derek Anderson 10 Charlotte Kelenna Azubuike 1 Golden State Keith Bogans 4 Orlando Chuck Hayes 2 Houston Jamaal Magloire 7 New Jersey Randolph Morris 1 New York Nazr Mohammed 9 Detroit Tayshaun Prince 5 Detroit Rajon Rondo 1 Boston Antoine Walker 11 Minnesota
LSU (6) Brandon Bass 2 Dallas Glen Davis R Boston Ronald Dupree 4 Detroit Shaquille O'Neal 15 Miami Stromile Swift 7 Memphis Tyrus Thomas 1 Chicago
MISSISSIPPI STATE (1) Erick Dampier 11 Dallas
SOUTH CAROLINA (3) Renaldo Balkman 1 New York Tarence Kinsey 1 Memphis Brandon Wallace R Boston
HEAD COACHES Alma Mater Current Team Pat Riley Kentucky Miami
ASSISTANT COACHES Keith Askins Alabama Miami T.R. Dunn Alabama Houston Tony Brown* Arkansas Milwaukee Darrell Walker* Arkansas New Orleans Chuck Person Auburn Sacramento Frank Vogel Kentucky Indiana Elston Turner Ole Miss Houston Mike Dunleavy* South Carolina LA Clippers Alex English* South Carolina Toronto
* Played/attended school before it was a member of the SEC R Rookie
