The JUCO transfer route produced many top players in the 80's and 90's.  Just to name two: Larry Johnson (UNLV) and Jamaal Tinsley (Iowa St.).   SMC produced its great team in '88-'89 with four JUCO players - Eric Newman, Al Lewis, James Dailey, and Terry Burns.  Less true today because these academic disqualifiers often go the prep school route.   Still every year there are two or three very good prospects coming out of the JUCO system.