Best Big 12 Basketball Players Of All Time
If you are a basketball fan and follow the Big 12 conference, you would know that it has produced some of the finest players in the history of the game. With the likes of Kevin Durant, Michael Beasley, and Blake Griffin all coming from the Big 12, it's hard to argue that this conference has not contributed significantly to the world of basketball. In this article, we will take a look at some of the best Big 12 basketball players of all time.
Kevin Durant
Kicking off our list at number one is Kevin Durant. Durant played his college basketball at the University of Texas, and it didn't take long for him to make his mark in the Big 12. During his freshman year, Durant averaged a staggering 25.8 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game. He also won the National Player of the Year award that year. He only played one season in college but went on to become an NBA superstar, winning two NBA championships and several other awards.
Michael Beasley
Michael Beasley had a short but remarkable college career at Kansas State University. During his freshman year, he led the Big 12 in both scoring and rebounding and was named the Big 12 Player of the Year. He was also named a consensus first-team All-American. He only played one season in college but was drafted second overall in the 2008 NBA Draft. Beasley has had a solid career in the NBA, and his college career is still remembered to this day.
Blake Griffin
Blake Griffin played his college basketball at the University of Oklahoma. He was a force to be reckoned with during his two seasons in college. During his sophomore year, he averaged 22.7 points, 14.4 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game. He won the Naismith College Player of the Year award that year and was also named the Big 12 Player of the Year. Griffin was drafted first overall in the 2009 NBA Draft and has had a successful career in the NBA.
Buddy Hield
Buddy Hield played his college basketball at the University of Oklahoma. During his senior year, he averaged 25.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game. He was named the Big 12 Player of the Year and was also a consensus first-team All-American. Hield was drafted sixth overall in the 2016 NBA Draft and has had a solid career in the NBA so far.
LaMarcus Aldridge
LaMarcus Aldridge played his college basketball at the University of Texas. During his sophomore year, he averaged 15.0 points and 9.2 rebounds per game. He was named a second-team All-American and was also the Big 12 Freshman of the Year. Aldridge was drafted second overall in the 2006 NBA Draft and has had a successful career in the NBA.
Conclusion
The Big 12 conference has produced some of the best basketball players in the history of the game. These players have gone on to have successful careers in the NBA and have left their mark on the college game. While there are many other great players who have played in the Big 12, the ones mentioned above are certainly some of the best. Whether you are a fan of the Big 12 or just a fan of basketball in general, you cannot deny the impact that these players have had on the game.