Name: Danny Granger

Team: Indiana Pacers

Position: Small Forward

NBA Statistics: 18.2 (points), 5.3 (rebounds), 2.1 (assists)

Background: The frequency of a person passing up a scholarship to attend Yale University (one of the best universities in the world) is probably close to nil, but Danny Granger did it.

Averaging 30 of a maximum 36 in the American College Testing (ACT) his decision to neglect the scholarship was met with a lot of surprise, but Danny was more interested in enhancing his basketball skills.

He was a McDonald All-American before his senior year at the Grace King High School before moving on to Bradley University instead of Yale in 2001. He spent two years at Bradley, but was not satisfied with their poor showing in the 2002-2003 season, so he moved on to the University of New Mexico. There, he not only completed his degree in civil engineering, but took his team to the NCAA Tournament after being named Mountain West Conference tournament MVP.

He was drafted as the 17th overall pick by the Indiana Pacers in the 2005 NBA Draft making the All-NBA Rookie Second Team with a 7.5 point-4.9 rebound per game season. His scoring contributions began to elevate thereafter, becoming the first NBA player in history to raise his scoring average by at least five points in three consecutive seasons.

A major component in helping the Pacers to the 2010-2011 NBA Play-offs; Granger has for himself a Most Improved Player award for his 2008-2009 season and a championship medal after helping the United States to the FIBA World Championship in the summer of 2010.