Simmons would be highest-ranked freshman to miss NCAA tourney

Unless LSU sees a dramatic turn of fortunes during the SEC Tournament, the Tigers are unlikely to make the NCAA Tournament.

If that happens, Ben Simmons, who ranked No. 2 overall in the high school class of 2015, would be highest-ranked player of the One-and-Done Era (which began with the class of 2006) to not play in the NCAA Tournament.

This would happen despite Simmons averaging 19.5 points, 11.9 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game.

We take a year-by-year look at the highest-ranked players to not play in the NCAA Tournament as freshmen.

Recruiting wrap: At No. 2 overall, point guard Emmanuel Mudiay was actually the highest-ranked player from the class of 2014 to not play in the NCAA Tournament, but he chose to play professionally in China rather than attend SMU.

That leaves Vaughn as the highest-ranked player from the class of 2014 to not play in the NCAA Tournament as a freshman. A native of Minnesota who played his senior season at a national powerhouse in Henderson (Nev.) Findlay Prep, Vaughn had a final five of UNLV, Iowa State, North Carolina, Kentucky and Louisville. However, he only visited the Rebels and Cyclones officially and after he moved to Vegas for his senior season the assumption was that he would most likely stay there for college.

Freshman season: Despite battling some knee problems, Vaughn was the Mountain West Conference freshman of the year averaging just under 18 points and five rebounds per game. He was part of a celebrated recruiting class that included five-star combo forward Dwayne Morgan and top 35 big man Goodluck Okonoboh. Though the Rebels had another NBA player in Christian Wood to go along with Vaughn and his talented freshmen teammates, they never could get it together, going 18-15 overall and just 8-10 in the Mountain West.

What he did after freshman season: Vaughn was selected No. 17 by Milwaukee in the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft. As a rookie Vaughn – who won’t turn 20 until August – has played just over 12 minutes per game and averaged 2.6 points per contest.

Recruiting wrap: The No. 13 player in the class of 2013, Martin initially said that he would wait until the spring of his senior season to decide so that he could visit programs such as St. John’s, Texas A&M and Oklahoma State. However, as a product of Baton Rouge, most expected he would stay home to attend LSU so it wasn’t a surprise when he elected to sign early with Johnny Jones and the Tigers.

Freshman season: Part of a terrific recruiting class that included fellow NBA player Jordan Mickey and another potential NBA player in current Tiger Tim Quarterman, Martin had a solid freshman season averaging 10.3 points and 4.6 rebounds per game. The young Tigers went 9-9 in the SEC and advanced to the second round the NIT, where they lost to SMU.

What he did after freshman season: Martin really took off in his second season at LSU, averaging 16.9 points and 9.2 rebounds per game. He entered the 2015 draft where he was selected with the 25th pick of the first round by Memphis. So far he has appeared in only seven games.

Recruiting wrap: A highly coveted big man from the state of Texas because of his ability to face the hoop and shoot on offense and protect the rim on defense, Austin committed to Baylor the summer before his junior season. He was part of a class that includes current Baylor standouts Rico Gathers – who is going to give the NFL a try – and Taurean Waller-Prince, who is likely going to be an NBA Draft pick.

Freshman season: Though Baylor didn’t make the NCAA Tournament during Austin’s freshman season, he and the team enjoyed success. Austin was an All-Big 12 newcomer team member while averaging 13 points and eight rebounds per game as Baylor won the NIT Championship.

What he did after freshman season: Austin declared for the NBA Draft after his freshman season but returned for his sophomore season due to a shoulder injury. He was an All-Big 12 defensive team member as a sophomore before entering the NBA Draft for a second time in 2014. During the pre-draft process Austin – a likely first-round pick – was diagnosed with Marfan Syndrome and he had to retire due to the condition. Since his diagnosis, Austin has dedicated himself to promoting awareness and raising funds for Marfan Syndrome research.

Recruiting wrap: The No. 6 player in the country, Nash was at the heart of a big-time recruiting battle between Oklahoma State and Kansas. He famously selected the Cowboys on ESPN by donning an orange foam Cowboy hat.

Freshman season: Nash had a reasonably successful freshman year from a personal standpoint, averaging 13 points and five rebounds per game, while being named the Big 12 freshman of the year. Oklahoma State, on the other hand, didn’t enjoy a very good season at all. The Cowboys went just 7-11 in the Big 12 and didn’t play in any of the postseason events after going just 15-18 overall.

What he did after freshman season: Nash would go on to play all four seasons at Oklahoma State and he was second-team All-Big 12 as a senior. After scoring 1,837 points and grabbing 639 rebounds during his career in Stillwater, Nash went undrafted and is currently playing professionally in Japan.

Recruiting wrap: The No. 9 player in the class of 2010, Jones barely had a chance to be recruited. He committed to Baylor during April of his freshman year in high school.

Freshman season: Jones had a good season as a freshman, making second-team All-Big 12 while averaging 13.9 points and 7.2 rebounds per game. He was suspended late in March of his freshman season by the NCAA when it ruled that loans his family had accepted from his summer coach in high school (to pay rent) were impermissible benefits.

What he did after freshman season: Even though he had to sit out the first five games of his sophomore season, he returned to Baylor and made All-Big 12 third team before leaving for the 2012 NBA Draft. Jones was selected No. 28 in the first round by the Oklahoma City Thunder. Jones had a career-high of 32 in October of 2014 and is currently playing in the NBDL.

Recruiting wrap: A native of California who spent most of his high school years in the Houston area, Gallon spent his senior year at national power Mouth of Wilson (Va.) Oak Hill. He chose the Sooners over Mississippi State.

Freshman season: Gallon averaged just over 10 points and a little under eight rebounds per game as a freshman. However, the season was one of the more disastrous in recent OU history. The Sooners only went 13-18 on the season and ended up vacating all of their wins for playing Gallon, who was deemed to have been ineligible for receipt of impermissible benefits.

What he did after freshman season: Gallon was taken by the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2010 NBA Draft with the 17th pick of the second round. He has never played in an NBA game but has appeared professionally in the NBDL and in China.

Recruiting wrap: Like 2014 where Emmanuel Mudiay chose to play professionally overseas, Brandon Jennings (No. 4 overall) was actually the highest-ranked high schooler in the class of 2008 to not play in the NCAA Tournament. But Jennings chose to play in Italy rather than attend Arizona, which puts Green next on the list.

A native of Alabama, Green looked seriously at leaving his home state to attend Ole Miss but ultimately chose the Crimson Tide.

Freshman season: Alabama didn’t make the NCAA or NIT tournaments during Green’s freshman season, however it showed promise going 18-14. Green was an All-SEC freshman team member.

What he did after freshman season: Green would go on to score 1,656 points and grab 913 points while playing all four years at Alabama. He was a first-team all-conference pick in 2011 and second team as a senior in 2012. Green went undrafted in 2012 and after bouncing around the NBDL, he has turned himself into a regular rotation player for the Memphis Grizzlies.

Recruiting wrap: The No. 2 power forward in his class (behind Michael Beasley), Hickson was the subject of a hard-fought recruiting battle between N.C. State and Tennessee.

Freshman season: Hickson enjoyed a very successful freshman season from a personal standpoint scoring just under 15 points per game and grabbing 8.5 rebounds per game while making the All-ACC Freshman team. N.C. State, though, was a total wreck, going just 4-12 in the ACC and finishing with a 15-16 record.

What he did after freshman season: Hickson declared for the 2008 NBA Draft and was taken by the Cleveland Cavaliers with the 19th pick. A current member of the Washington Wizards, Hickson has also played for Portland, Sacramento and Denver during his career. After this season he will have made nearly $27 million in salary.

Recruiting wrap: Though he grew up in Seattle and both his father and uncle played their college ball at Washington, Hawes seriously considered North Carolina, Stanford and UCLA before choosing to stay home and play for the Huskies.

Freshman season: The Huskies failed to make the NCAA Tournament during Hawes' only season in Seattle. However, the skilled big man was a member of the All-Pac-12 freshman team and set a Huskies' freshman record by scoring 461 points.

What he did after freshman season: Hawes entered the 2007 NBA Draft where he was taken by Sacramento with the 10th pick of the first round. A current member of the Charlotte Hornets, Hawes has also played for Philadelphia, Cleveland and the Los Angeles Clippers while earning nearly $40 million during his nine-year career.