Who are the leading men’s college players of the previous

• Myron Medcalf, ESPN

  • Personnel WriterJun 21, 2023, 08:00 AM ET Close Covers college basketball
  • Signed up with ESPN.com in 2011
  • Graduate of Minnesota State University, Mankato

The men’s college basketball offseason uses a chance not only to reflect on the previous season, however to look back at nostalgic minutes in the history of the sport. But sometimes, those discussions are complicated by a limitless timespan. How can one compare players or teams from the 1980s to players or groups from the last few years? The game has actually changed– dramatically– which makes it challenging to have any productive conversations.That’s why we have actually decided to release a series that focuses just on the past 25 years of college basketball. Any group, player, coach or moment who was part of the sport between the 1998-99 and 2022-23 seasons is qualified. The rest? That’s somebody else’s problem.For the very first installation of our”25 in 25 “series, we present the top 25 Department I college basketball players over the previous 25 years.It was a difficult endeavor.First, this surpasses résumés. It has to do with skill, ability, dominance and effect. The past 25 years feature a fascinating mix of stars: from veterans who bucked the 1990s trend of turning professional right out of high school to young players who lasted a season in the one-and-done age. The latter group has an advantage here, due to the fact that we can just imagine what they may have finished with 3 or 4 years of college basketball, while the former is completing for spots against a strong list of their peers who likewise enjoyed substantial accomplishments, longevity and consistency.In both cases, we’ve made a strong attempt to select the very best men’s college basketball players of the previous 25 seasons.Career stats: 25.8 PPG, 11.1 RPG, 1.9 BPG, 1.9 SPG Profession highlights: Wooden Award, first-team AP All-American

, Big 12 Gamer of the Year, Huge 12 All-Defensive Team The only blemish on Durant’s résumé from his only season of

college basketball was his failure to reach the second weekend of the NCAA tournament (the Longhorns lost to USC in the 2nd round). However a simple and easy offensive output– Durant linked on 40 %of his 3-point efforts, 50%of his shots inside the arc and 82 %of his complimentary toss attempts– stresses one of the greatest performances within the sport over the past 25 years.Career statistics: 14.2 PPG, 10.4 RPG, 4.7 BPG, 1.4 SPG Career highlights: National championship, Wooden Award, The Majority Of Exceptional Gamer in the NCAA competition, first-team AP All-American, SEC Player of the Year, SEC Defensive Gamer of the Year Davis provided John Calipari his lone NCAA title as a two-way force who made 65%of his shots inside the arc and led the country in blocks(186). That season, the embellished Wildcats lost simply 2 games( on a buzzer beater at Indiana, and against Vanderbilt in the SEC competition)and beat their NCAA tournament opponents by an average of 11.8 PPG. play 0:40 Zion elevates for vicious block Zion Williamson shows off his athleticism as he hustles back to a wide-open Virginia player and flies for a nasty block.Career statistics: 22.6 PPG, 8.9 RPG, 2.1 SPG, 1.8 BPG Career highlights: Wood Award, first-team AP All-American, ACC Player of the Year, all-ACC Defensive Group Williamson is accountable for

among the

most dominant seasons in college basketball history. He protected every reliable regular-season award while playing beside R.J. Barrett, an agreement first-team All-American

and ultimate NBA draft lottery game choice. After connecting on nearly 75 %of his shots inside the arc and producing a series of uncanny highlights– see: the De’Andre

Hunter block at Virginia– Williamson required just the one season to round out the leading 3 on this list.4. Jay Williams|G|Duke|1999-2002 Profession stats: 19.3 PPG, 6.0 APG, 2.2 SPG Profession highlights: National championship(2001), Wood Award(2002 ), first-team AP All-American (2001, 2002 ), first string all-ACC(2001, 2002)Long before his tenure as an ESPN analyst, Williams was a rapid Duke guard with a quick first step and a set of skills that separated him from his college peers. He shot 39 %from 3 and 51%from inside the arc throughout his impressive three-year profession, too. play 0:59 Curry-Griffin battle in ’08 Davidson-Oklahoma timeless On Nov. 18, 2008, Steph Curry scored a college career high of 44 points, however Davidson was defeated by Blake Griffin and Oklahoma.Career statistics: 25.3 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 3.7 APG, 2.1 SPG Career highlights: First-team AP All-American(2009), Southern Conference player of the year (2008, 2009) Throughout Curry’s last season at Davidson, prior to he accomplished super star status in the NBA, he led Division I men’s basketball in scoring(28.6 PPG), and the Southern Conference in helps(5.6 APG).

His 3-point barrage was also difficult to safeguard, as he made 41%of his shots from beyond the arc in 3 seasons.Career stats: 20.2 PPG, 8.6 RPG Profession highlights: Championship game(2009), Wood Award(2008 ), first team AP

All-American( 2008, 2009 ), ACC Player of the
Year(2008), all-ACC first team (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 )North Carolina has a long list of elite players, however couple of can match what Hansbrough– who earned an area on the AP initially, second or third teams each year of his college career– did. Hansbrough was likewise one of the most consistent players in recent college basketball history, as proved by four successive seasons in which he balanced a minimum of 18 PPG and 7 RPG.Career statistics: 19.9 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 2.2 APG Career highlights: Wood Award(
2006), first-team All-American (2005, 2006), ACC Player of the Year(2005, 2006) As Duke’s all-time leading scorer( 2,769 career points ), Redick remains among college basketball’s most polarizing players, just because he was so damn excellent and constant. He collected multiple ACC and national honors after linking on 41 %of his 3-point attempts and going 91 %from the complimentary toss line over 4 years. Profession stats: 22.2 PPG, 10.0 RPG, 1.6 SPG Career highlights: National championship, Most Impressive Gamer in the NCAA competition, second-team AP All-American We’ll never understand what Anthony might have done had he decided to play another year or more for Jim Boeheim.

On the other hand, as the catalyst of Syracuse’s only nationwide title run, he didn’t require a great deal of time to leave his mark.9. Kenyon Martin|F|Cincinnati|1996-2000 Career statistics: 11.0 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 2.5 BPG Career highlights: Wood Award( 2000), First-team AP All-American (2000 ), NABC Defensive Player of the Year (2000)

, Conference U.S.A. Defensive Player of the Year(1998,1999, 2000 ), all-Conference USA first team(1999, 2000 )The 1999-2000 Cincinnati team will constantly be one of males’s college basketball’s

greatest”What if?” cases because Martin suffered a season-ending leg injury prior to the NCAA competition. Outside of that, his senior season was impressive (18.9 PPG, 9.7 RPG, 3.5 BPG), and evidence that he is among

the very best two-way college players of the last quarter century.Career stats: 27.4 PPG, 8.7 APG, 1.7 SPG Profession highlights: First-team AP All-American, all-Big 12 first string Although Young’s performance subsided midway through the season after an electrical start, he became the first player in NCAA history to lead the nation in both points and helps(the latter became a main NCAA stat in 1983)

— and he did it as a freshman. He likewise balanced 1.7 SPG and made 86%of his complimentary throw attempts.Career statistics: 26.2 PPG, 12,4 RPG, 1.6 BPG, 1.3 SPG Profession highlights: First-team AP All-American, Big 12 Player of the Year Beasley produced numbers that don’t seem real for a freshman– in addition to the above stats, he shot 38 %from 3, 77% from the complimentary toss line and 56 %from inside the arc– and still ended up behind Tyler Hansbrough in the nationwide player of the year race. His single season of college basketball does not get the full credit it is worthy of. Career stats: 19.7 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 3.9 APG, 2.3 SPG, 1.2 BPG Profession highlights: First-team AP All-American (2003), Conference U.S.A. Gamer of the Year(2003 ), all-Conference U.S.A. first string(2002, 2003), Conference U.S.A. Defensive Gamer of the Year(2003)Wade raised Marquette to a greater tier of college basketball almost 30 years after its won its very first national championship (1977). When he brought the Golden Eagles to the Final Four in 2003, after averaging 21.5 PPG that season, it was clear Wade was a star.13. Shane Battier|F|Duke|1997-2001 Profession stats: 13.6 PPG, 1.8 SPG, 1.7 BPG Career highlights: Championship game(2001), Wood Award( 2001), Most Exceptional Player in the NCAA tournament (2001), first-team AP All-American(2001), ACC Player of the Year(2001), all-ACC first string(2000, 2001)Perhaps the most complete player Mike Krzyzewski coached, Battier’s senior season was an attractive conclusion to an outstanding
profession. He won his 3rd consecutive NABC Defensive Player of the Year award, led Duke to a national title and balanced 19.9 PPG (80%from the free toss line, 54 %inside the arc, 42 %from 3

), 7.3 RPG and 2.3 BPG.14. Rip Hamilton|G|UConn|1996-99 Profession statistics: 19.8 PPG, 1.3 SPG Profession highlights: Championship game(1999 ), Many Exceptional Gamer in the NCAA competition(1999 ), first-team AP All-American(1999 ), Big East Gamer of the Year(

1998, 1999 )While Hamilton will always be kept in mind as the clutch leader of a Huskies team that snapped Duke’s 32-game
winning streak and beat the Blue Devils in the 1999 NCAA title game, he was a star throughout his college career. Hamilton’s three seasons included the previously discussed championship game, numerous nationwide awards and a 38%mark from the 3-point line.15. Elton Brand name|F|Duke|1997-99 Career statistics: 16.2 PPG, 8.9 RPG, 1.9 BPG Profession highlights: Wood Award(1999), first-team AP All-American(1999 ), ACC Gamer of the Year(1999 )The only thing missing out on from Brand’s résumé is a national championship (thanks to Rip Hamilton & Co.). However he was a reputable and impactful star who led heaven Devils to 37 wins, a school in addition to a nationwide record.Editor’s Picks 2 Associated 16. Emeka Okafor|C|UConn|2001-04 Career stats: 13.8 PPG, 10.6 RPG, 4.3 BPG Profession highlights: Championship game(2004), The Majority Of Impressive Gamer in the NCAA tournament (2004)

, first-team AP All-American( 2004), NABC Defensive Gamer of the Year(2003, 2004), Big East Player of the Year(2004), all-Big East first string(2003, 2004)Okafor might have ended up being the NCAA’s all-time leader in blocks if he had remained another year in college. Instead, he ended up at 11th perpetuity, with 441 blocks. In his last season in Storrs, Okafor balanced 17.6 PPG, 11.5 RPG and 4.1 BPG on the way to the national championship.Career statistics: 21.7 PPG, 7.5 RPG Career highlights: Wood Award (2014), first-team AP All-American( 2012, 2013, 2014 ), Missouri Valley Conference player of the year (2012, 2013), Big East player of the year (2014 )If there were any doubts about McDermott’s supremacy, they ended when he continued to win conference player of the year honors after Creighton moved from the Missouri Valley Conference to the Big East. In the Bluejays ‘very first season in the new league, McDermott became the very first player in 30 years

to secure 3 successive first-team AP All-American honors. He’s also seventh all time in scoring with 3,150 points.18. Blake Griffin|F|Oklahoma|2007-09 Profession statistics: 18.8 PPG, 11.8 RPG Career highlights: Wooden Award (2009 ), first-team AP All-American (2009 ), all-Big 12 first team (2008, 2009)At the collegiate level, Griffin was an assertive, high-flying skill with the strength and

abilities to do whatever he desired versus challengers. During his Wooden Award-winning season, he averaged 22.7 PPG(66%from inside the arc )and 14.4 RPG (leading the country in total rebounds, at 504). 19. Pal Hield|G|Oklahoma|2012-16 Profession stats: 17.4 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 1.3 SPG Career highlights: Wooden Award (2016), first-team AP All-American (2016 )

, Big 12 Player of the Year(2015, 2016), all-Big 12 first team( 2014, 2015, 2016 )Hield helped Oklahoma reach the NCAA competition four years in a row, including a Last Four appearance in 2016. The Sooners would lose to eventual national champ Villanova, however that season was Hield’s finest: 25.0 PPG and 5.7 RPG, while connecting on 46 %of his 3-point attempts and 88 %of his complimentary toss efforts.20. Kemba Walker|G |

UConn|2008-11 Profession stats: 16.1 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 4.1 APG

, 1.7 SPG Profession highlights: National championship (2011), Most Outstanding Player in the NCAA competition (2011 ), first-team AP All-American(2011)

, all-Big East first team(2011)Walker led a team that was 21-9 total and 9-9 in the Big East at the end of the routine season on an 11-game winning streak, resulting in a national title. That wasn’t a fluke: Walker averaged 23.5 PPG that season, topping his three-year college career with an elite effort.21.

John Wall|G|Kentucky|2009-10

Career stats: 16.6 PPG, 6.5 APG, 1.8 SPG
Career highlights: first-team AP All-American, SEC Player of the Year, all-SEC first string Wall lived up to the hype as Kentucky’s top hire the year John Calipari showed up from Memphis, leading the program to a 35-3 record and the Elite Eight. He struggled as a shooter from beyond the arc, but shot 51%from inside it. He likewise had a pregame dance that went viral. Career stats: 15.0 PPG, 4.1 APG, 6.8 RPG, 1.6 SPG Career highlights: Wood Award(2010 ), Huge 10 Gamer of the Year

(2010), all-Big Ten first string(2009,
2010)While he could not lead his team past the Sugary food 16, Turner assembled one of the most versatile professions of the past 25 years as a 6-foot-7 athlete who could play and guard multiple positions, and won nationwide player of the year honors his final college season.Career statistics: 19.7 PPG, 5.1 RPG Profession highlights: Wooden Award(2006 ), first-team AP All-American(2006 ), West Coast Conference Gamer of the Year (2006 )For many college basketball players, a year that includes approximately 19.0

PPG and a 56 %clip inside the arc would be their best. Morrison had that kind of season, then followed up the next year leading the country in scoring (28.1 PPG)with a 43 %clip from the 3-point line.Career statistics: 18.7 PPG, 1.2 SPG

Profession highlights: Wood Award (2011), first-team AP All-American (2011 ), Mountain West Conference player of the year(2011), all-Mountain West Player of the Year( 2009, 2010, 2011) “Jimmer Mania” wasn’t simply buzz, rather the byproduct of the former BYU star’s outstanding efficiencies– including a senior season anchored by averages of 28.9 PPG(he likewise led the nation in scoring), 4.3 APG, 40%from 3 and 89%from the free throw line

. Fredette raised the entire Mountain West conference during his time at BYU.Career statistics: 14.4 PPG, 3.7 APG Profession highlights: National championship (2016, 2018)

, Wooden Award(2018 ), first-team AP All-American(2018), Big East Player of the Year (2018), all-Big East first team(2017, 2018 )In simply 3 years, Brunson had among college basketball’s most impressive current runs. He transitioned from a role player with a skilled 2016 group that won Jay Wright’s first title, to the leader of the 2018 national title-winning group– the year in which he published a profession high in scoring(18.9 PPG, 40%from 3).