There is a new ESPN list ranking the top 25 college basketball players of the last 25 years.
ESPN’s Myron Medcalf posted an article three days ago about the top 25 college players of the last 25 years. The only way I can put it is that it was interesting. There were strange choices and oddly placed players. However, this article will focus on his top six, as that is where he put Tyler Hansbrough.
Averaging 20.2 points and 8.6 rebounds over four years, Hansbrough is one of the most legendary figures in college basketball history. He was named all-ACC First Team every year, National Player of the Year in 2008, First-Team All-American in 2008 and 2009, and a national champion. Few can match what Hansbrough accomplished. Hansbrough also has the most points in ACC history, and his jersey hangs in the Smith Center rafters.
Although the five ranked ahead of him had great college careers of their own, three of them only played one season. Ranking someone who played one season ahead of someone who dominated for four is shocking.
5. Stephen Curry
Yes, Curry has changed the game of basketball forever and is undoubtedly one of the top NBA point guards of all time, but his college career does not match up to Hansbrough’s. Curry was named First-Team All-America once and the Sun Belt player of the year twice. He had an amazing tournament his junior year that hyped him to a point rarely seen. Curry no doubt had a great college career, but does not have the accolades or wins to match up with Hansbrough, and played lesser competition.
4. Jay Williams
The only player ranked above Hansbrough that has similar accolades, Williams dominated while at Duke. He was a leader on the floor and averaged 19.2 points, 6 assists, and over 2 steals a game. Those are impressive numbers. Williams won a national championship, was first team all-ACC twice, won the Wooden Award, and named an All-American twice. Still, although award- winning is close, Hansbrough was the more dominant player.
3. Zion Williamson
To be fair, the numbers Williamson put up at Duke are unreal. 22.6 points, 8.9 rebounds, 2.1 steals, and almost 2 blocks is hard to replicate. He won the Wooden Award, ACC Player of the Year, first-team All-America, and all-ACC defensive team. The problem is, he did it for only a season, and missed part of it. Would he have been able to do it over four seasons? Williamson had the talent, but as we have seen in his NBA career, he may not have been able to stay healthy.
2. Anthony Davis
Bringing John Calipari his lone title at Kentucky, Davis was an absolute force on both ends. He averaged a double-double and almost 5 blocks per game! That is unheard of. He was also a national champion and player of the year. Durant also won SEC Defensive Player of the Year, SEC Player of the Year, and was a First-Team All-American. He certainly has the accolades, and defensive stats. But again, could he maintain it over four seasons? Davis has been hurt often throughout his NBA career, and it is hard to believe he would stay healthy enough to dominate for four years straight.
1. Kevin Durant
Durant was a can’t-miss prospect. He almost landed at North Carolina with his friend Ty Lawson, but that’s a story for another time. Durant was must-see TV at Texas. He averaged 25.8 points and 11.1 rebounds per game. He is one of the most talented scorers the game has ever seen. Durant has won two NBA championships and carried Texas throughout the year. He finished his college year by being named National Player of the Year, First Team All-America, Big-12 Player of the Year, and Big-12 All-Defensive Team. Although that is fantastic, it was his only season. Had he stayed longer, he would’ve had one of the greatest college careers ever. But those accolades do not touch Hansbrough’s.
Ranking players requires taking their whole career into account. None of the players ranked above Hansbrough had better overall careers. They may have a great season, but that isn’t enough to put them over a very decorated four-year player. Of these guys, give me Hansbrough every time!
