Ranking The 20 Greatest College Basketball Players of All Time

By Brian Kalchik

Ranking The 20 Greatest College Basketball Players of All Time

Lew Alcindor David Thompson Christian Laettner — The game of college basketball has been around for decades, and each decade has brought us some legendary players who not only excelled in the pros, but in college as well. These 20 former players are unequivocally the best who ever played.

20. Tom Gola, La Salle (1951–1955)

Tom Gola

20. Tom Gola, La Salle (1951–1955)

Tom Gola — Tom Gola was ahead of his time, even in the 1950s. He was versatile enough to play all five positions, and he led the Pioneers to heights of greatness that the school hasn't seen since. A three-time All-American, Gola was only the second player in college basketball history to record over 2,000 points and 2,000 rebounds. He led La Salle to two straight NCAA Finals, winning the 1954 title. His total of 2,201 rebounds remains the all-time record.

19. Bill Bradley, Princeton (1962–1965)

Bill Bradley Knicks

19. Bill Bradley, Princeton (1962–1965)

Bill Bradley Knicks — An American Hall of Fame basketball player, Rhodes scholar and former three-term Democratic U.S. Senator, Bill Bradley has pretty much done everything. However, his rise to fame began at Princeton. He was a two-time All-American who averaged 30 points per game. In the 1965 NCAA Final Four consolation game, he put up 58 against Wichita State, earning Most Outstanding Player honors.

18. Ralph Sampson, Virginia

Ralph Sampson Rockets

18. Ralph Sampson, Virginia

Ralph Sampson Rockets — A 7-foot-4 phenom, Ralph Sampson towered over everyone he faced and led the Virginia Cavaliers to national prominence. A three-time College Player of the Year and two-time Wooden Award winner, Sampson averaged 17 points and 11 rebounds per game during his collegiate career. In his career, he led the Cavaliers to an NIT title in 1980, an NCAA Final Four appearance in 1981 and an NCAA Elite Eight appearance in 1983.

17. Tim Duncan, Wake Forest (1993–1997)

Tim Duncan Wake Forest

17. Tim Duncan, Wake Forest (1993–1997)

Tim Duncan Wake Forest — Tim Duncan is often nicknamed "The Big Fundamental", and that moniker started at the University of Wake Forest. A two-time first-team All-American, Duncan was the first player in NCAA history with more than 1,500 points, 1,000 rebounds, 400 blocks and 200 assists. When he left Wake Forest, Duncan was the all-time leading rebounder in NCAA history in the post-1973 era.

16. Jerry Lucas, Ohio State (1959–1962)

Jerry Lucas

16. Jerry Lucas, Ohio State (1959–1962)

Jerry Lucas — In his career at Ohio State, Jerry Lucas averaged 24 points and 17 rebounds per game, turning Ohio State into a championship-caliber team. He was a three-time All-American and led the Buckeyes to three straight title games, winning it all in 1960. He won 78 of his 84 games played at Ohio State.

15. Patrick Ewing, Georgetown (1981–1985)

Patrick Ewing Georgetown

15. Patrick Ewing, Georgetown (1981–1985)

Patrick Ewing Georgetown — The mastermind behind "Hoya Paranoia", Patrick Ewing led arguably one of the best defensive teams in collegiate history. Although he averaged just 15 points and nine rebounds at Georgetown, all Ewing did was win. A three-time All-American, Ewing guided the Hoyas to three National Championship Games, winning one against Akeem Olajuwon's Houston Cougars in 1984.

14. George Mikan, DePaul (1942–1946)

George Mikan Lakers

14. George Mikan, DePaul (1942–1946)

George Mikan Lakers — The first great big man in basketball history, George Mikan turned DePaul into a powerhouse in the 1940s. With his famous goggles, Mikan dominated the paint and made scoring tough for any opponent. A three-time All-American, he led DePaul to the NIT title in 1945 and was the nation's leading scorer in 1946.

13. Elvin Hayes, Houston (1965–1968)

Elvin Hayes

13. Elvin Hayes, Houston (1965–1968)

Elvin Hayes — An absolute monster down low at Houston, Elvin Hayes averaged 31 points and 17 rebounds per game in his three years with the Cougars. His best performance came against Lew Alcindor's UCLA Bruins where he scored 39 in their upset of the Bruins, who had won 47 straight games. A two-time All-American, Hayes was one of the first African-American players for the Cougars, and led Houston to the 1968 Championship Game, losing to UCLA.

12. Magic Johnson, Michigan State (1977–1979)

Magic Johnson

12. Magic Johnson, Michigan State (1977–1979)

Magic Johnson — Despite playing only two seasons, Magic Johnson's college basketball legacy is unmatched. As a 6-foot-9 point guard, Johnson exhibited the playmaking ability that made him the greatest point guard who ever lived. Magic was an All-American in 1979, the same season in which he led the Spartans to the NCAA Championship against Larry Bird and the Indiana State Sycamores.

11. Michael Jordan, North Carolina (1981–1984)

Michael Jordan Bulls

11. Michael Jordan, North Carolina (1981–1984)

Michael Jordan Bulls — Michael Jordan is the greatest player in NBA history, but not in College Basketball history. At UNC, Jordan's aerial acrobatics foreshadowed his dominance in the NBA. He was the National Player of the Year as a junior, but as a freshman, he clinched the 1982 NCAA Championship Game with a jump shot with under 20 seconds remaining.

10. Christian Laettner, Duke (1988–1992)

Christian Laettner Duke

10. Christian Laettner, Duke (1988–1992)

Christian Laettner Duke — Everyone still hates Christian Laettner, but no one could stop him while at Duke. In his four-year Blue Devil career, Laettner made the Final Four four times and won two Championships. He was clutch, especially in the NCAA Tournament. He hit two memorable game-winning shots, one against UConn in 1990 and against the Kentucky Wildcats in 1992. In that game, Laettner made all 10 of his field goal attempts and all 10 free throw attempts.

9. Jerry West, West Virginia (1957–1960)

Jerry West Lakers

9. Jerry West, West Virginia (1957–1960)

Jerry West Lakers — Jerry West put West Virginia on the map, and would display the all-around skills that made him one of the greatest basketball players period. West averaged 25 points and 13 rebounds per game in his career. A two-time All-American, West led the Mountaineers to the 1959 NCAA title game as a junior and was the Most Outstanding Player of the entire tournament.

8. Pete Maravich, LSU (1967–1970)

Pete Maravich

8. Pete Maravich, LSU (1967–1970)

Pete Maravich — The most exciting player in basketball history, Pete Maravich could do everything offensively. As a scoring guard, his passing skills were top-notch, but he also benefited from being coached by his father Press Maravich. Pete averaged 44.2 points per game in his collegiate career and holds the all-time leading NCAA Division I scorer with 3,667 points. All of those stats came without the benefit of the three-point line.

7. David Thompson, North Carolina State (1972–1975)

David Thompson Nuggets

7. David Thompson, North Carolina State (1972–1975)

David Thompson Nuggets — At 6-foot-5, David Thompson lived above the rim, and was appropriately nicknamed "Skywalker". He averaged 27 points and eight rebounds at North Carolina State, was a three-time All-American and led NC State to the 1974 National Championship. In that season's Final Four, Thompson dethroned UCLA's dynasty one week after sustaining a concussion.

6. Larry Bird, Indiana State (1976–1979)

Larry Bird Celtics

6. Larry Bird, Indiana State (1976–1979)

Larry Bird Celtics — Larry Bird put Indiana State basketball on the map, and once he left, the program became irrelevant. In his collegiate career, Bird averaged 30 points and 13 rebounds per game, taking the Sycamores to the 1979 NCAA Title Game. Bird was also a two-time first-team All-American, and in the 1979 season, he led the Sycamores to an undefeated season heading into the title game.

5. Oscar Robertson, Cincinnati (1957–1960)

Oscar Robertson Bucks

5. Oscar Robertson, Cincinnati (1957–1960)

Oscar Robertson Bucks — Oscar Robertson was one of the greatest all-around players in NBA history, but he first made his mark at the University of Cincinnati. As a Bearcat, Robertson averaged 34 points, 15 rebounds and seven assists in his three seasons. He was the first sophomore to earn Player of the Year honors, an honor he earned three times. A three-time first-team All-American, Robertson led Cincinnati to the Final Four twice.

4. Wilt Chamberlain, Kansas (1956–1958)

Wilt Chamberlain Lakers

4. Wilt Chamberlain, Kansas (1956–1958)

Wilt Chamberlain Lakers — Kansas basketball officially became a dominant program when Wilt Chamberlain first arrived on campus. Despite only playing two seasons, Chamberlain was a two-time first-team All-American, averaging 30 points and 18 rebounds per game. In 1957, Chamberlain led Kansas to the National Championship Game, but the Jayhawks fell to an undefeated North Carolina team in triple--overtime.

3. Bill Russell, San Francisco (1953–1956)

Bill Russell Celtics

3. Bill Russell, San Francisco (1953–1956)

Bill Russell Celtics — The greatest winner in NBA history, Bill Russell displayed his winning ways at the University of San Francisco. Russell was one of just five players in college basketball history to average 20 points and 20 rebounds per game. Russell led the Dons to 55 consecutive victories and back-to-back NCAA Championships in 1955 and 1956.

2. Bill Walton, UCLA (1971–1974)

Bill Walton

2. Bill Walton, UCLA (1971–1974)

Bill Walton — If not for another UCLA big man, Bill Walton would be the greatest player in college basketball history. Walton led the Bruins to an 88-game winning streak, the most in Men's Basketball history, and won back-to-back Championships in 1972 and 1973. In the 1973 title game against Memphis State, Walton hit 21-of-22 field goals and had 44 points.

1. Lew Alcindor (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar), UCLA (1966–1969)

Lew Alcindor

1. Lew Alcindor (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar), UCLA (1966–1969)

Lew Alcindor — There is no doubt that Lew Alcindor (now Kareem Abdul-Jabbar) is the greatest collegiate basketball player ever. In his first season, Alcindor led the Bruins freshman to an inter-squad victory over the varsity team, the reigning National Champions. In his first collegiate game, Alcindor had 56 points, a school record. He averaged 27 points and 16 rebounds per game, won three National Championships and won 88 of 90 games played at UCLA.

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