There have been many successful athletes that have come through the Beehive State that have turned into decorated professionals.
To conclude my four-part series, here is a combined list from other Utah schools, including Weber State, Utah Valley, Southern Utah, Dixie State, Westminster, as well as Snow College and Salt Lake Community College.
20. Aaron Boone (2003-11) NFL, Snow College
A receiver in the NFL, NFL Europe, and the Arena Football League, Boone is one of the top pro athletes from Snow College. During a two-year stint in Europe he was named First Team All-NFL Europe and led Berlin to the World Bowl XII championship, and during his AFL career he was named to the All-Rookie Team in 2006 and Second Team All-AFL in 2010, becoming the Utah Blaze all-time touchdowns and receiving yards leader.
19. Joel Bolomboy (2016-present) NBA, Weber State
Just two years into his pro career, Bolomboy has already become a G-League star, and soon looks to break into the NBA. During his rookie season with Salt Lake City, he was named a G-League All-Star while also helping the Utah Jazz break a five-year playoff drought. In his first year with Wisconsin in 2017-18, he was again named a G-League All-Star and helped the Bucks reach the postseason.
18. Jackson Vroman (2004-14) NBA, Snow College
A two-year NBA veteran who followed that up with an eight-year career overseas, Vroman’s best seasons came playing in Iran, where he won the 2010 Iranian League title, 2010 West Asian Championship, and two FIBA Asia Champions Cups, taking home MVP honors at the 2009 Asia Champions Cup.
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17. Wesley Silcox (1999-present) Bull Riding, Utah Valley
A professional bull rider, Silcox was the 2007 PRCA World Champion and the winner of the 2010 PRCA Xtreme Bulls Tour. During a long and decorated career, he has qualified for the PRCA National Finals Rodeo and the CBR World Finals seven times each.
16. Lance Allred (2005-16) NBA, Weber State
The first legally deaf player in NBA history, Allred cut out a long overseas and D-League career, being named a D-League All-Star twice. Playing in ten countries, he was named a 2012 Japan BJ League All-Star and was named a LNPB (Mexico) All-Star twice while winning a championship in Puerto Rico in 2015.
15. Maurice Baker (2002-16) NBA, Dixie State
Playing in the NBA, D-League, and eight countries, Baker enjoyed a long career in pro basketball. Playing in the CBA he was named to the All-Rookie Team in 2005 and to the All-Star team in 2006, and in the D-League was named a 2009 All-Star while winning championships in 2007 and 2015. While playing in Lithuania, he won an LKL title and Baltic League championship in 2006 and took home a title while playing in the Dominican Republic in 2012.
14. Brandon Kintzler (2010-present) MLB, Dixie State
A player who began his career playing in independent leagues, Kintzler is now a regular rotation pitcher currently playing for Washington. Early in his MLB career, he helped the Brewers win the 2011 NL Central crown, and during a career-best 2017 campaign, he was named an AL All-Star and helped the Nationals win the NL East after being traded mid-season.
13. Fred House (2001-14) NBA, Dixie State & SUU
After a D-League rookie campaign in which he was named to the All-Rookie Team, All-Defensive Team and D-League Rookie of the Year, House began a successful overseas career, starring in six countries. In Serbia he won two YUBA League titles, followed by a two-year Lithuania stint where he won LKL, Baltic League, and ULEB Cup championships and was named MVP of the 2006 Baltic League Finals. Playing in Spain, House won a Spanish SuperCup and helped his club reach the EuroLeague Final Four, and in the Ukraine won a title in 2010 and was named an All-Star in 2011.
12. Ken McEachern (1974-84) CFL, Weber State
An 11-year CFL veteran, McEachern was one of the league’s best defensive backs. He was named to three CFL West All-Star teams, the 1983 CFL East All-Star team, and two CFL All-Star teams while helping Toronto win the Grey Cup championship in 1983.
11. Eddie Gill (2000-12) NBA, SLCC & Weber State
After beginning his career in the IBL and ABA, Gill played seven NBA seasons for six teams and played in six countries during his career. He was named a CBA All-Star in 2004 and during his D-League career was named an All-Star and All-D-League First Team in 2008 and was named Third Team All-D-League and D-League Impact Player of the Year while winning a championship in 2009. Playing overseas he won a Belgian Cup in 2010 and was named Third Team All-NBL in Australia in 2012.
10. Rob Hitchcock (1995-07) CFL, Weber State
A safety and linebacker who played 13 years in the CFL, Hitchcock was named a CFL East All-Star three times and a CFL All-Star twice. He helped the Hamilton Tiger-Cats win the 87th Grey Cup championship during his career and retired as the team’s all-time leader in tackles.
9. Sinan Guler (2006-present) Basketball, SLCC
During a 12-year career in his native Turkey, Guler has been one of the best players in the country. A 10-time BSL All-Star and 2010 BSL Slam Dunk Contest winner, he has helped three different clubs to trophies. During a five-season stint with Anadolu Efes he won a Turkish League title, Turkish Cup, and two Turkish Super Cups and later won the 2016 EuroCup with Galatasaray and his third Turkish Super Cup with Fenerbahce while appearing in the EuroLeague Final Four during the 2017-18 season. A Turkish national team regular, he helped his country take home a bronze medal at the 2009 Mediterranean Games and a silver medal at the 2010 FIBA World Cup.
8. Dimitri Tsoumpas (2008-13) CFL, Weber State
For only playing pro football for six seasons, Tsoumpas had quite a career during his time in Calgary. He was named to four straight CFL West All-Star teams from 2009-12 and was named a CFL All-Star three times while winning the 2008 Grey Cup title.
7. Bill Schuffenhauer (2000-10) Bobsled, Weber State
A member of the United States four-man bobsled team at three Olympic Games, Schuffenhauer’s team took home a silver medal at the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City. He also won a World Championship silver medal in 2003 and a bronze medal at the 2004 World Championships.
6. Lionel Hollins (1975-85) NBA, Dixie State
During a 10-year NBA career playing for five teams, Hollins became one of the best players in Trail Blazers history. During his five seasons in Portland he was named to the 1976 All-Rookie Team and was a First Team All-Defense pick in 1978 and a Second Team All-Defense selection the following year. A 1978 NBA All-Star selection, Hollins helped the Blazers win the 1977 NBA championship, the only title in franchise history. Following his career his No. 14 jersey was retired by the Trail Blazers.
5. Kaitlyn Farrington (2010-15) Snowboarding, Westminster
A professional snowboarder who calls Salt Lake her home, Farrington won an Olympic Games gold medal in 2014 in the women’s half pipe and won a silver medal at the 2011 Winter X Games and a gold medal at the 2010 X Games Europe.
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4. Maddie Bowman (2012-present) Skiing, Westminster
A member of the U.S. national ski team, Bowman took home gold at the 2014 Olympic Games in the women’s halfpipe. She has also won five Winter X Games gold medals in the super pipe event, as well as a silver and bronze medal.
3. Noelle Pikus-Pace (2001-14) Skeleton, Utah Valley
After winning gold medals at the 2007 and 2013 World Championships as a member of the U.S. skeleton team, Pikus-Pace helped the United States take home a silver medal at the 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi. She has also won three silver medals at the World Championships and was the winner of the 2004-05 Skeleton World Cup.
2. Corey Dillon 1997-06 NFL, Dixie State
In 10 NFL seasons, Dillon became one of just 32 players in league history to rush for over 10,000 yards during a career. Playing his first seven years with the Bengals he was selected to three Pro Bowls and during three years in New England was named a Pro Bowl selection in 2004 and helped the Patriots win Super Bowl XXXIX. After his career, Dillon was named a member of the Patriots 2000s All-Decade Team.
1. Damian Lillard (2012-present) NBA, Weber State
The sixth pick of the 2012 NBA Draft, Lillard has become one of the top players in the NBA in just six seasons. After being named Rookie of the Year and to the All-Rookie First Team for the 2012-13 season, he led the Blazers back to the playoffs in 2014, hitting the game-winning shot in Game 6 of the First Round that won the series after being named an All-Star and All-NBA Third Team pick for his outstanding campaign. He has since added two more All-Star selections and was named to the 2016 All-NBA Second Team and 2018 All-NBA First Team while leading Portland to the playoffs the last five seasons.
