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The 2024 NBA Conference finals are right around the corner with four teams bidding to secure a ticket to the NBA Finals.
The Boston Celtics, who won 64 games during the regular season to secure the homecourt advantage throughout the playoffs, take on the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference finals which begin on Tuesday, May 21.
In the Western Conference, the Minnesota Timberwolves face the Dallas Mavericks in a finals showdown that kicks off on Wednesday, May 22.
This year's conference finals have an NCAA playoff flavor into it as 11 collegiate programs are well represented in this basketball showcase.
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As per NBA.com, here are the top schools that have the most players in the 2024 NBA Conference finals.
Top colleges with most players in 2024 NBA Conference finals
#5. (tie) Arkansas, Florida, Iowa State, Kansas, Texas, USC and Vanderbilt
Seven schools have two NBA players on the rosters of the last four teams standing in the playoffs. They are Arkansas, Florida, Iowa State, Kansas, Texas, USC and Vanderbilt.
The Razorbacks are represented by Boston forward Jordan Walsh and Dallas center Daniel Gafford. Celtics center Al Horford and Mavs forward Alex Fudge played for the Gators in college. Indiana point guard Tyrese Haliburton and Minnesota veteran playmaker Monte Morris were Cyclones before venturing into the NBA.
Celtics forward Svi Mykhailiuk and Mavericks forward Markieff Morris carry the Jayhawks banner while Indiana center Myles Turner and Dallas forward Greg Brown represent the Longhorns in this year's conference finals.
Boston's Drew Peterson and Minnesota's Jordan McLaughlin played for the Trojans in the NCAA while Celtics center Luke Kornet and Pacers forward Aaron Nesmith were part of the Commodores when they were in college.
#4. UCLA
Boston Celtics guard Jrue Holiday and Minnesota Timberwolves duo Kyle Anderson and Jaylen Clark played college ball for the Bruins.
Holiday had a one-year stint with UCLA in the 2008-09 season while Anderson had a two-year stint with the Bruins from 2012-2014. Clark suited up for three years with UCLA between 2020 and 2023.
#1. (tie) Duke, Kentucky and Arizona
Duke, Kentucky and Arizona each have four former players on the rosters of this year's conference finalists.
The Blue Devils are represented by Celtics forward Jayson Tatum, Timberwolves guard Wendell Moore Jr., Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving and his teammate center Dereck Lively.
The Kentucky Wildcats also have four alumni on the list of players in the 2024 NBA Conference finals. They are Minnesota forward/center Karl-Anthony Towns, Dallas forward P.J. Washington, Indiana center Oscar Tshiebwe and his teammate forward Isaiah Jackson.
Arizona, meanwhile, is represented in the conference finals by the Indiana duo of Benedict Mathurin and T.J. McConnell and Minnesota teammates Josh Green and Brandon Williams.
Who do you think will make the NBA Finals this year? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
What could Alabama basketball's 2024-25 starting lineup look like? Find out here
