Top 10 Greatest College Basketball Players Of All Time
College basketball is one of the most exciting sports in America. It is a breeding ground for some of the greatest basketball players in history. These players go on to achieve great things in the NBA and become legends in the sport. This article will highlight the top 10 greatest college basketball players of all time.
1. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. He was dominant in college, leading UCLA to three consecutive NCAA Championships from 1967 to 1969. Abdul-Jabbar was a three-time National Player of the Year and a two-time Final Four Most Outstanding Player. He finished his college career with 2,325 points and 1,367 rebounds. Abdul-Jabbar went on to have a successful NBA career, winning six championships and becoming the league's all-time leading scorer.
2. Bill Walton
Bill Walton is another UCLA legend who had a dominant college career. Walton led UCLA to back-to-back NCAA Championships in 1972 and 1973. He was a two-time National Player of the Year and a two-time Final Four Most Outstanding Player. Walton finished his college career with 1,370 points and 1,370 rebounds. He went on to have a successful NBA career, winning two championships and being named an NBA Most Valuable Player.
3. Magic Johnson
Magic Johnson had a legendary career at Michigan State. He led the Spartans to the NCAA Championship in 1979 and was named the Final Four Most Outstanding Player. Johnson finished his college career with 1,059 points, 509 rebounds, and 619 assists. He went on to have a successful NBA career, winning five championships and being named an NBA Most Valuable Player three times.
4. Larry Bird
Larry Bird was a dominant force at Indiana State. He led the Sycamores to the NCAA Championship game in 1979 and was named the National Player of the Year. Bird finished his college career with 2,850 points and 1,247 rebounds. He went on to have a successful NBA career, winning three championships and being named an NBA Most Valuable Player three times.
5. Christian Laettner
Christian Laettner is one of the most decorated college basketball players of all time. He led Duke to back-to-back NCAA Championships in 1991 and 1992, and was named the Final Four Most Outstanding Player both times. Laettner finished his college career with 2,460 points and 1,149 rebounds. He went on to have a successful NBA career, playing for 13 seasons.
6. Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan had a legendary career at North Carolina. He hit the game-winning shot in the NCAA Championship game in 1982, and was named the National Freshman of the Year. Jordan finished his college career with 1,788 points and 450 rebounds. He went on to have a legendary NBA career, winning six championships and being named an NBA Most Valuable Player five times.
7. Patrick Ewing
Patrick Ewing had a dominant career at Georgetown. He led the Hoyas to the NCAA Championship game in 1982 and 1984, and was named the Final Four Most Outstanding Player in 1984. Ewing finished his college career with 2,184 points and 1,316 rebounds. He went on to have a successful NBA career, playing for 17 seasons and winning two Olympic gold medals.
8. David Robinson
David Robinson had a dominant career at Navy. He led the Midshipmen to the Elite Eight in 1986 and was named the National Player of the Year in 1987. Robinson finished his college career with 2,669 points and 1,314 rebounds. He went on to have a successful NBA career, winning two championships and being named an NBA Most Valuable Player twice.
9. Jerry West
Jerry West had a dominant career at West Virginia. He led the Mountaineers to the NCAA Championship game in 1959, and was named the National Finalist Most Outstanding Player. West finished his college career with 2,309 points and 1,240 rebounds. He went on to have a successful NBA career, winning one championship and being named an NBA All-Star 14 times.
10. Shaquille O'Neal
Shaquille O'Neal had a dominant career at LSU. He was named the National Player of the Year in 1991, and led the Tigers to the Elite Eight in 1992. O'Neal finished his college career with 1,217 points and 1,217 rebounds. He went on to have a successful NBA career, winning four championships and being named an NBA Most Valuable Player once.
Conclusion
These players represent some of the greatest talent that college basketball has ever seen. They were dominant on the court and went on to have successful NBA careers. Their achievements have cemented their legacy in the sport and they will always be remembered as legends.