While tracking down former college players across the globe, we are consistently amazed at how long some college stars from the ’90s – and in one case, even the ’80s – have continued their careers. Based on “I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter!”, here’s our Top 10 “I Can’t Believe They’re Still Playing!” based on their age and years out of the spotlight.

10. Billy Thomas (Kansas): Age 34

Billy Thomas made the All-Freshman Team when the Big 12 was still the Big Eight! After going undrafted in 1998, his winding career took him through six different foreign countries. All told, he’s played on 26 different teams over his 12-year career. Today he’s playing with the D-League’s Maine Red Claws, averaging roughly 10 points and three boards a night.

9. Dontae’ Jones (Mississippi State): Age 34
Dontae’ Jones led Mississippi State to an SEC Tournament Championship and the Final Four in 1996. But the Bulldogs were overshadowed by Kentucky, who cruised to a national title. and is considered by some to be one of the best college teams ever. Jones skyrocket up draft boards and was taken 21st overall by the Celtics. But he was out of the league just two years later. Instead of giving up, over a decade later Jones is still scoring 11 a night with six boards for Mexico’s Halcones UV Xalapa.

8. Toby Bailey (UCLA): Age 34
Tony Bailey was the freshman phenom on UCLA’s 1995 national championship team, playing alongside Ed O’Bannon and Tyus Edney, both of whom are now retired. Edney is just beginning a coaching and broadcasting career while O’Bannon is already a successful car salesman and has now turned his efforts into coaching. Having last played in the NBA in 2000, Bailey is scoring 11 points a night with Germany’s Artland Dragons Quakenbrueck, a team in the middle of the German league.

7. Lou Roe (UMass): Age 37
Lou Roe was the 1995 A-10 Player of the Year in 1995. Think about that. John Calipari was still a young up-and-comer best known for this bizarre scene with John Chaney. Boy have things changed. While his former coach is now king of the Bluegrass State, Roe is still having a successful professional career, albeit away from the NBA limelight. Today he’s with Spain’s Tenerife Rural, with an impressive 15 points a game and seven boards. His team, however, is just 11-14.

6. Robert Traylor (Michigan): Age 33
Tractor Traylor is one of the youngest on this list but he is a gift that keeps on giving to bloggers. The man traded for Dirk Nowitzki has been out of the NBA since 2005. Considering the amount of legal trouble he’s been in recently and his massive weight, the fact he can still find a basketball job is impressive. More impressive is that the judge in his last case is allowing him to play out the rest of the season before serving 60 days in jail. No word yet on whether he’s found a team to join there.

Part II: #5-1

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