The NFL has had a few guys come through the league who weren’t always just tremendous football players. Some NFL stars were ballers of a different nature before they put the pads and helmet on.

Today, we ask the fans the question; Who was the best basketball player turned NFL star? It’s not a debate to be taken lightly. I reviewed the guys we posted several times, and I really don’t know who I would pick. Regardless, I give all the the guys credit for balling on the grass and hardwood.

Hit the jump to see the list…

5.) Former WR Terrell Owens

T.O. for all his nonsense is still one of the greatest WR to ever live. Owens played college football and basketball at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Owens had the opportunity to play at the 1995 NCAA Basketball Tournament.

4.) Chargers’ TE Antonio Gates

Gates was signed by the Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2003 after playing college basketball at Kent State University. His junior season he averaged 16.0 points, 8.1 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game ^[4] His senior season he received Honorable Mention All-American Honors from the Associated Press after averaging 20.6 points, 7.7 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game. His senior season his team won its first regular season Mid-American Conference (MAC) championship in school history after finishing the regular season with a 24-5 overall record with a 17-1 record in the MAC

3.) Former QB Donovan McNabb

McNabb was also a walk-on for two seasons for the Syracuse basketball team under legendary head coach Jim Boeheim

2.) Chicago Bears’ DE Julius Peppers

While at the University of North Carolina, Peppers was also a walk-on member of the men’s basketball team. The Carolina football coach, Carl Torbush, said he could play football and then be a walk-on for Bill Guthridge on the UNC men’s basketball team. He was a reserve on the 1999-2000 Tar Heels team that made it to the Final Four. Peppers was also a reserve on the 2000-2001 men’s basketball team. In the NCAA Tournament, Peppers scored 18 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in a loss to Penn State in the second round. After the season, Peppers decided to focus solely on football and did not play basketball in his final season.

1.) Former WR Cris Carter

We give CC the nod because he made the choice not to hoop at Ohio State. Carter was heavily recruited out of high school for both basketball and football. He accepted the offer from Ohio State head coach Earle Bruce. Carter became a consensus All-America selection after his junior season, Ohio State’s first All American at wide receiver. Carter had intended to play both football and basketball at Ohio State, but decided to focus on football after making an immediate impact his freshman year.