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Tuesday's Niners Daily looks at members of the San Francisco 49ers who have been known to hoop it up in the past.
*With Game 6 of the NBA Finals set to take place in a few hours, we already know that members of the 49ers are enjoying what they've seen from the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers. After some initial debate on who would win the series, with a three games to two advantage, the Warriors are in position to bring the Bay Area its first NBA title in 40 years with a win in Cleveland.
But before the big game takes place, we thought it would be fun to look at which 49ers players have had accomplished careers on the hardwood before switching over to professional status on the gridiron.
BRUCE ELLINGTON
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The 49ers wide receiver played in parts of three seasons at South Carolina, averaging more than 10 points per game.
Basketball fact: **The second-year wideout played collegiately at South Carolina. Ellington appeared in 80 games (66 starts) and averaged 11.2 points, 3.0 assists and 2.7 rebounds. Before he ellected to play football full time in college in 2014, Ellington made 19 starts in 23 games as a sophomore for the Gamecocks, averaging 9.9 points, 2.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.3 steals. Ellington's highest-scoring game in college took place on Jan. 10, 2012 against Vanderbilt when he totaled 20 points in a 67-57 loss.
NaVORRO BOWMAN
Basketball fact:Kevin Durant, a three-time NBA scoring champ, played on the same middle school basketball team as Bowman. "Surprisingly, he was the best player on the team," the Oklahoma City Thunder forward told CSNBayArea.com. "I was kinda like his sidekick. I really thought he was going to the NBA."
ARIK ARMSTEAD
Basketball fact:Following a three-yeart stint as a starter for Sacramento's Pleasant Grove High School, San Francisco's 2015 first-round draft pick went on to play two sports at Oregon. In addition to his football duties, Armstead suited up for the Ducks for one game in the 2013-14 season. Armstead scored a basket on his first shot against Washington State. The rookie defensive tackle ultimately decided to pursue football and now he's one of 32 first-round picks set to debut in the NFL.
COLIN KAEPERNICK
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Basketball fact: **The former standout at Pittman High School in Turlock, Calif., once battled New Orleans Pelicans forward Ryan Anderson for a state championship in 2005. Anderson's Oak Ridge High School team ultimately led his team to victory, outscoring Kaepernick 50 to 34. The 49ers signal-caller was an All-State nominee in football, basketball and baseball, where he was once drafted in the 43rd round of the 2009 MLB Draft by the Chicago Cubs.
DEREK CARRIER
Basketball fact: Before he made San Francisco's active roster in 2014, this 49ers tight end played two years of college basketball at Beloit College. Carrier started in 21 games and averaged 8.3 points per game.
RONALD CURRY
Basketball fact:The 49ers wide receivers coach was a McDonald's High School All-American in hoops at Hampton High School in Hampton, Va. Curry went on to star as a two-sport athlete at North Carolina. Curry played two seasons with the Tar Heels along with Green Bay Packers defensive end Julius Peppers. Despite throwing many impressive alley-oops, Curry's basketball career ended in college. He went on to play seven seasons as a wide receiver for the Oakland Raiders.
Did we miss anyone from 49ers history who has strong basketball skills? Let us know in the comments section below.
