Before Paul Wight was The Big Show in WWE, he was a big man for Wichita State's basketball team. The 7-footer played one season for the Shockers in the early 90s, averaging 2 points and 2.1 rebounds in 21 games as a reserve center. But playing experience among celebrity college basketball fans is the exception, not the rule.
Notable College Hoops Celebrity Fans Slideshow
Ashley Judd, Kentucky
Ashley Judd is such a huge Kentucky basketball fan that she once wrote an essay of nearly 2,000 words to articulate her fervor. One example of her dedication was during her run on Broadway in "Cat On A Hot Tin Roof." But, while I treasured my opportunity on that stage, interpreting one of the greatest roles of all time, I deeply lamented that it prevented me from attending any and all games played by my beloved University of Kentucky Wildcats. That is why in February, when during about my 150th performance I severely injured my left foot, the first thought I had after, "OUCH!" was, "Lord, I can probably catch the rest of the games."
Brooklyn Decker, North Carolina
The supermodel grew up outside of Charlotte and is a big Tar Heels and Carolina Panthers fan. Her husband, Andy Roddick, is a big Nebraska fan, and the pair has made a deal that she will support Cornhuskers football as long as Roddick roots for the Tar Heels in March.
Matthew McConaughey, Texas
McConaughey has athletics in his blood as his father actually played briefly for the Green Bay Packers. After moving to Uvalde, Texas, as a youth, he graduated from UT in 1993. He attends at least one football game per year on the sidelines and is a big basketball supporter as well.
Ashton Kutcher, Iowa
Kutcher grew up in Cedar Rapids and went to Iowa to study biochemical engineering, inspired to find a cure for his brother's heart ailment. While in Iowa City, he was kicked out of his apartment for being "wild" and "noisy." Honorable mention: Tom Arnold, an Iowa alum who grew up in Ottumwa.
Kid Rock, Michigan State
Both of Kid Rock's parents are Michigan State grads, and the Detroit native has been known for his many charitable acts around Michigan, even opening a brewery to help create jobs during the most recent recession.
John Legend, Ohio State
Legend grew up in Springfield, Ohio. Even though he attended the University of Pennsylvania, he decks his piano with Buckeyes decals.
Justin Timberlake, Memphis
Timberlake grew up in Memphis and is a big-time supporter of Memphis basketball, attending a few Tiger games, and became part owner of the NBA's Memphis Grizzlies in 2012.
Drake, Kentucky
Drake is the most prominent in a long list of celebrities to have befriended coach John Calipari.
Andy North, Wisconsin
North, a two-time U.S. Open champion, grew up in Wisconsin, resides in Madison, and is close friends with coach Bo Ryan. Although he went to play golf for the University of Florida, North attends most Badger games, including many on the road.
Paul Rudd/Jason Sudeikis, Kansas
Both grew up just southwest of Kansas City, Rudd in Overland Park and Sudeikis in Shawnee Mission. Sudeikis was actually an accomplished prep point guard and even received a scholarship at a Fort Scott Community College before focusing on his acting career.
LeBron James, Ohio State
A native of Akron, James says that if he were to have played college basketball, it would have been for the Buckeyes. In 2007, Ohio State became the first school to wear the LeBron logo instead of the swoosh on its Nike gear.
Nick Lachey, Cincinnati
The former 98 Degrees star grew up roughly 230 miles away from Cincinnati in Harlan, and attended Miami University in Ohio. He is an avid Cincinnati Bearcat, Bengals and Reds fan.
Russell Crowe, Michigan
Crowe is more of a football fan because of his friendship with former Wolverines coach Lloyd Carr. But with Michigan coming off a Final Four season last year and winning the Big Ten regular-season title this year, the time is right if Crowe wants to make a hoops appearance.
Paul Wight, Wichita State
Wight received lots of media attention in 2013 when Wichita State made a surprise run to the Final Four. His own hoops career for the Shockers wasn't anything special, but it made an impact on him. "Of all my experiences at Wichita State -- now I'm a 41-year-old adult that has children of my own -- humbling wasn't a bad thing for me," he told Fox Sports. "It wasn't a bad thing to sit on the bench. Some of the lessons I learned from my college basketball days definitely help me now."
Jon Hamm, Missouri
The "Mad Men" star originally attended Texas but moved closer to his St. Louis home when his father died. He and Paul Rudd are good friends, and along with Jason Sudeikis, they maintain a healthy and hilarious basketball rivalry. That is, when the schools were still playing each other.
