More than two months have passed since another brilliant college basketball season came to a fitting end. Another action-packed year brought headlines, heartbreak, and intrigue across the nation and across the scope of this sport.

With eight teams in the NCAA Tournament, the ACC took a definite step in the right direction, though many of these programs are still scrambling to become competitors again. We’ve seen just what these teams can do when they’ve been at their best and that’s just what we’re thinking about today.

Thinking about the ACC for even a few moments will likely lead to thoughts about the Duke-North Carolina rivalry, but we all know this conference is more than just that. While the Blue Devils and Tar Heels get the biggest headlines, every single one of the 18 teams currently in this league have had moments and players worth recognizing.

Today’s daunting task focuses on that, giving each program their moment in the spotlight as we identify the players who have really stood out since the turn of the century. We’ll be running through and picking a Mount Rushmore of top players from each team in the ACC and finding out who exactly has made those memorable moments in this league in recent years.

As we pick out the four players from each team, we’ll be remembering just who made the biggest name and left the greatest legacy for these programs, with some notable moments even before their teams joined the ACC.

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Things just have not been the same at Boston College since Al Skinner was dismissed as head coach way back in 2010. You won’t be surprised to hear that all of the Eagles mentioned today were from Skinner’s successful years in town.

Troy Bell

An impactful figure during Boston College’s successful run near the very beginning of this century, Bell is a standout guard from Minneapolis who shined for the Eagles. Not only did he make a ton of flashy plays across his four seasons, he basically rewrote the program’s record books by the time he left in 2003.

Already averaging nearly 19 points per game as a freshman, Bell was a high-level scorer throughout his career. He helped Boston College to a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances and plenty of success in the Big East, and earned a pair of Second Team All-American honors as well. Most notably, he averaged 25.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.7 assists in a dynamic senior season, earning the second of those honors.

Bell left Chestnut Hill as Boston College’s all-time leading scorer and remains the leader in field goals, free throws, and a number of other metrics. He started all 122 games, averaging nearly 22 points per game across a fantastic career that certainly hasn’t been forgotten.

Jared Dudley

The perfect transition of top-level talent, Dudley came to town in 2003 right as Bell departed and he certainly spent the next four years endearing himself to the Boston College faithful. A 6-7 forward out of San Diego, Dudley would start 130 games over four seasons, appearing in the NCAA Tournament each time.

Dudley’s contributions were notable from the beginning, though he really stepped into a major role as an upperclassman. The Eagles transitioned into the ACC into his junior year and he produced two phenomenal seasons in their first two years. As a senior, he led the ACC in rebounding, putting up 19.0 points and 8.3 rebounds per game to earn ACC Player of the Year honors.

The Eagles have been dancing just once in the 19 years since Dudley left campus, and we can’t ignore his pair of 20-point efforts in their Sweet Sixteen run in 2006. He remains one of the most notable scorers and rebounders in program history and clearly among the most recent Eagles to reach four NCAA Tournaments.

Tyrese Rice

Boston College joined the ACC in 2005, the same time Rice arrived on campus for what would become a prosperous 4-year run. An athletic point guard from Richmond, Rice secured a solid bench role on a Tourney team as a freshman before developing into a full-time starter and ACC standout the next three seasons.

By the time his junior year came around Rice had become one of the most productive guards in the country. He was averaging 21.0 points and 5.0 assists per game with solid shooting figures. That was his only season where Boston College missed the Big Dance, but he led them back the following year while earning a third straight All-ACC honor.

It’s been 17 years since Rice’s collegiate career ended and he remains among the program’s leaders in assists. The Eagles also haven’t returned to the NCAA Tournament since his departure and are desperately hunting for a point guard like him to lead their resurgence.

Craig Smith

Another monumental weapon during Boston College’s early days in the ACC, Smith would be a productive frontcourt piece across his four seasons with the Eagles. He arrived in 2002 and would soon be a starting forward in the Big East.

Smith’s career was immensely productive, earning All-Big East or All-ACC honors in each of his four seasons. He was already averaging 19.9 points and 7.9 rebounds per game as a freshman and put up competitive numbers in his following seasons. He led the Big East in field goal percentage as a freshman and made 56% of his shots in his career.

He was another great weapon who starred under Al Skinner before heading off to the NBA after a great four-year run. Smith was an efficient scorer, great rebounder, and big weapon on three NCAA Tournament teams. He ranks second all-time in program history in points scored and tops the program’s list of rebounders.

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Thanks to some significant struggles in recent years, California is another program that hasn’t exactly been at its brightest since joining the ACC. Each of the four players today figured into the program’s success in the Pac-10 or Pac-12 much earlier in the century.

Allen Crabbe

When Crabbe arrived in Berkeley in 2010 he was certainly a revered prospect, as the guard from Los Angeles would soon prove. Crabbe was named Pac-10 Rookie of the Year thanks to a productive start to his career and didn’t slow down across three great seasons with the Golden Bears.

Each of Crabbe’s next two seasons saw Cal in the NCAA Tournament and he was certainly a big factor in those trips. During his junior year, his final season in Berkeley, Crabbe was named Pac-12 Player of the Year after averaging 18.4 points and 6.1 rebounds per game. That productive campaign included a win in the first round of the NCAA Tournament over UNLV.

Not only was he an imposing figure around the rim, Crabbe was an above average defender and also one of the most productive 3-point scorers in recent memory for the program. He lived up to his 4-star rating as a prospect, earned a pair of First Team All-Pac-12 honors, and was off to the NBA after his junior year.

Sean Lampley

It’s actually been a quarter century since Lampley was playing ball for the Golden Bears, as his career began way back in 1997. However, he left an enormous impression during those four seasons and his best efforts did come after the turn of the century.

Lampley was a standout forward whose production grew with each passing season. As a freshman he largely came off the bench before developing into a double-digit scorer and eventually an All-Pac-10 weapon. As a senior, he was named Pac-10 Player of the Year while putting up 19.5 points and 7.2 rebounds, emerging as the league’s top scorer.

While he played just once in the NCAA Tournament during his career, Lampley stands out as one of the most productive players ever coached by Ben Braun. He remains among the program’s career leaders in points, free throws, and several metrics on both sides of the ball for his work as a scorer, rebounder, and defender.

Leon Powe

When Powe landed at Cal in 2003 he was doing so as a 5-star recruit. Considered a Top 10 prospect in that recruiting class, this 6-8 forward quickly lived up to that billing with a productive freshman campaign, averaging more than 15 points a game while leading the Pac-10 in rebounds.

Unfortunately, disaster struck, with Powe missing the entirety of his next season with a leg injury. There was concern long-term, but he fought back from that injury and was even better as a redshirt sophomore. Powe averaged 20.5 points and 10.1 rebounds, earning Second Team All-American honors while getting the Golden Bears back in the Big Dance.

That second season on the court saw Powe lead the Pac-10 in scoring and rebounding before earning Pac-10 Tournament MVP honors. Even though his team fell in the opening round of the Big Dance, he accomplished just about everything he set out for in his return from injury and headed off to the NBA, where he’d win a title with the Celtics just a few years later.

Jerome Randle

Randle accomplished plenty while running the point during his four years at Cal. The native Chicagoan was on campus from 2006 to 2010, playing for a pair of coaches. He showed potential as an underclassman before becoming a great leader and veteran presence on a pair of Tournament teams under Mike Montgomery.

That junior year and his first trip to the Big Dance saw Randle average 18.3 points and 5.0 assists per game, leading the Pac-10 in assists. Senior year saw slightly better figures and a win in the Tournament while Randle also walked away with Pac-10 Player of the Year honors, shooting above 40% from outside the arc for a second-straight year as well.

An extremely meaningful piece on offense, Randle remains the program’s leader in 3-pointers and one of the most productive offensive players in Cal history. He was decisive, explosive, and played that major role in a pair of Tournament teams. Randle was also one of the best free throw shooters in the history of the Pac-10.

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Many consider Clemson a football school but we can’t ignore that this program has put together some really successful basketball teams in recent years. They might not have the star power of some of these other ACC programs but the talent cannot be denied.

Jaron Blossomgame

While his time at Clemson may have been right between two more successful era, Blossomgame was quite the notable Tiger during his four seasons in the ACC. A starting forward basically his entire career, he evolved from a minor contributor as a freshman to one of the best frontcourt pieces in the league.

His most dramatic step forward came into his junior year, averaging 18.7 points and 6.7 rebounds to earn First Team All-ACC honors while shooting 44% from outside the arc. He helped lead the Tigers back above .500 in league play and put up sensational numbers, figures he’d nearly match as a senior the following year.

Blossomgame never got his chance in the Big Dance but he remains among Clemson’s Top 10 for both points and rebounds in program history. When he was on the court, he was putting the ball in the basket and doing what he could for the Tigers and it’s hard to ignore the sheer production.

Trevor Booker

There was plenty of winning at the tail end of Oliver Purnell’s days as Clemson’s head coach and Booker was a big part of that success. A 6-7 forward from nearby Whitmire, he averaged double figures in each of his four seasons, starting all 134 games he’d play in that Tigers uniform.

Booker rose from a steady rebounder to one of the most efficient scorers in the ACC by the end of his career. His best raw numbers came as a junior, producing 15.3 points and 9.7 rebounds per game. Both those rebounding figures and his 57% mark from the field led the ACC in a season that ended in the Big Dance.

It was actually three straight trips dancing for Booker to end a fantastic career helming the Clemson frontcourt. We spoke plenty on his scoring but he’s also among the program’s all-time leaders in blocks, finishing Top 3 in the ACC in three of his four seasons before heading to the NBA.

PJ Hall

The first season for Hall after arriving during the national pandemic was steady, but it was just the first step. By the time he left Clemson in 2024, Hall had become one of the program’s most prolific players in recent memory, putting up fantastic figures as an upperclassman.

The 6-10 forward helped steadily turn the Tigers into a contender, averaging around 15 points a game as both a sophomore and junior. Clearly his senior year blew everything out of the water, putting up 18.3 points and 6.4 rebounds per game while leading Clemson to just the second Elite Eight run in program history.

Hall earned First Team All-ACC honors and significant respect both from the Tigers and the nation for his work. He was among the ACC’s leaders in a boatload of categories that senior year while also setting the Clemson record for points in a single season.

Marcquise Reed

Unlike the other names considered, Reed started his career elsewhere, spending a very productive season in the NEC at Robert Morris before transferring to Clemson. He was a big part of the equation from 2016 to 2019, first as a bench piece and then a backcourt start.

As a junior, Reed was a big part of Clemson’s fantastic season which ended in the Sweet Sixteen. His numbers were even better in his final campaign at 19.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 2.1 steals a game, leading the ACC in that final figure. The former NEC Rookie of the Year earned All-ACC honors again and really thrived running the Clemson backcourt.

The Tigers took a fantastic young guard and turned him into one of the best defenders, scorers, and free throw shooters in the ACC in the late 2010’s. Despite playing just those three seasons, he’s pretty high up on the Tigers’ all-time steals list and his contributions during that 2018 run won’t be ignored.

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Home to All-Americans and high-level prospects on a yearly basis, Duke had a fantastic group of athletes to choose from on today’s list, especially after winning three national titles since the turn of the century. We’ve left off some unbelievably talented players but done our best to pick the four most outstanding Blue Devils.

Shane Battier

The figures early in his career may not have been remarkable, but there’s no question that Battier is one of the most productive and recognizable figures in recent memory for the Blue Devils. The 6-8 forward from outside Detroit was part of a title run as a sophomore but really came into his own as an upperclassman.

Battier developed into one of the best defensive players in the sport and was on another level by his senior year. Not only did he claim a third straight NABC Defensive Player of the Year honor, he was named AP Player of the Year after averaging 19.9 points and 7.3 rebounds on a Duke team that won their third title in program history in 2001.

Before gaining his relevance in the NBA, Battier was everything for the Blue Devils and a big part of that title run. He had a double-double in nearly every game in that run and remains among Duke’s all-time leaders in both steals and blocks. An insanely successful basketball career continued with a pair of NBA titles as this versatile and impressive athlete remains among Duke’s all-time greats.

Cooper Flagg

You could make arguments for so many successful Blue Devils to be here but it’s hard to ignore just what Flagg in particular accomplished in a short time. The top-rated recruit and high school star from Maine opted for Jon Scheyer and the Blue Devils in 2024 and wasted no time adhering himself to the basketball universe.

In his lone collegiate campaign, Flagg put up monstrous numbers, averaging 19.2 points and 7.5 rebounds. He racked up pretty much every national player of the year award and actually finished in Top 10 in the nation in total points. A big reason for his inclusion was his major role in leading the Blue Devils all the way to the Final Four, something a few of those blue chip prospects didn’t quite achieve.

With just a single season in Durham under his belt, you won’t find Flagg on many all-time lists in the Blue Devil yearbooks, but you’ll see his continued work with the Dallas Mavericks. It’s impossible to articulate how Flagg might have continued had he not been a one-in-done but he was certainly among the most successful freshmen the program has seen in recent years.

JJ Redick

It’s not shocking to hear that Redick was a highly-touted recruit when he arrived in Durham in 2002, the biggest surprise may be that he couldn’t lead the Blue Devils to a national time. Regardless, by the time his career was over four years later he would carve his name in program history in a major way.

Redick developed into one of the best pure shooters in the sport, jumping from a highly productive underclassman to frankly the best guard in college basketball by the end of his career. His senior season saw him average 26.8 points per game to win the Naismith Award and many other national honors while making 42% of his 3-pointers.

Partially responsible for a Final Four in his sophomore season, Redick may not have that title ring but he does remain the all-time leading scorer in Duke history. He truly did become one of the great shooters this sport has seen since the turn of the century and it was impossible to ignore those accomplishments, especially with 2,769 career points.

Jay Williams

He may have skipped town for the NBA before his senior season, but it’s hard to argue that there was something Williams didn’t accomplish in his three seasons in Durham. The New Jersey native developed into one of the most productive guards that Mike Krzyzewski coached and also was a major contributor on a title team.

A Top 5 prospect as a freshman, Williams was clearly special from the jump. Nobody scored more points during his sophomore season, a year in which he averaged 21.6 points and 6.1 assists while making 43% of his 3-pointers. Let’s not forget he also helped lead Duke to that national title in 2001 before coming back for another impressive season as a junior.

Williams took home the national player of the year awards in 2002 before becoming a lottery pick in the NBA Draft. His raw scoring and shooting figures were outstanding in every way and he unquestionably embodied Duke culture. Only seven Blue Devils have more career points than him and all of them played for four seasons.

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Leonard Hamilton brought some really fantastic basketball players to Tallahassee during more than two decades helming this program. We’re getting a closer look at four of them, knowing that there are some notably names who just missed the cut for Florida State.

Dwayne Bacon

Bacon arrived in Tallahassee as a Top 20 recruit and the latest major land by Leonard Hamilton and his staff. He certainly came to town with high expectations and put together a really productive career in just two seasons before heading off to the NBA.

Bacon was already averaging 15.8 points a game as a freshman and still found a way to take a step forward as a sophomore. Not only did he average 17.2 points and 4.2 rebounds per game, he also helped the Seminoles break a five-year NCAA Tournament drought and set the stage for future success for this program.

He earned All-ACC honors in that sophomore season and gained national attention for his work with the Seminoles. Two years wasn’t enough to put him in the record books for Florida State but he scored a ton of points and lived up to his billing as a great prospect before entering the 2017 NBA Draft.

Toney Douglas

The numbers that Douglas put up as a true freshman at Auburn were outstanding but we’re honoring him here today because of his next three years in Tallahassee. He arrived on campus in 2006 and would swell into one of the ACC’s best backcourt threats by the end of his time there.

After leading the league in steals as a junior, Douglas helped break a decade-long NCAA Tournament drought as a senior in 2009 and was also ACC Defensive Player of the Year. His numbers were fantastic, averaging 21.5 points per game while knocking down 38% from outside the arc on a Florida State team that won 25 games.

Douglas played a major role in that winning late in his career and became a first round pick in the NBA Draft a few months later. Even with just three seasons under his belt, he’s still the top scorer for the Seminoles since the turn of the century and fifth all-time in program history.

Michael Snaer

Whether or not he’s a name that jumps out to every fan, Snaer was very productive and important on some talented Seminoles teams in the early 2010’s. The former Top 20 prospect from California arrived in 2009 and would play in three NCAA Tournaments during his time with the Seminoles.

His numbers as an underclassman showed great potential that was fully realized in his later seasons. Snaer became a top defender and was ACC Tournament MVP during a productive junior year. He averaged at least 14 points a night in both of his final two seasons, aiding the Seminoles’ 25-win season in 2012.

Snaer did a lot of great things during those four seasons. He was a great defender, sits among the top scorers in Florida State history, and helped continue a successful era while being a high-level contributor on both sides of the ball. Let’s not forget that he played a ton of minute and always left it all out there for these Seminoles.

Al Thornton

A first-round draft pick way back in 2007, Thornton certainly qualifies among the most notable Florida State basketball players in recent memory and he really developed into a dynamic weapon by the end of his stay. A minor bench piece as an underclassman blossomed in a major way by the mid-2000’s.

Thornton never played in the Big Dance but took a dramatic step forward by averaging 16.1 points per game as a junior. He saved his best for last unsurprisingly, producing 19.7 points and 7.2 rebounds to earn First Team All-ACC honors as the conference’s top scorers. He was the biggest part of a 22-win season and among the nation’s best offensive weapons that season.

His 45-point effort against Miami is one of the best single-game performances in Seminoles history while also sitting among the program’s best scorers. Thornton couldn’t quite get Florida State over the hump, though that success would come soon after his departure to the NBA.

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The basketball at Georgia Tech hasn’t always been pretty, especially in recent years. However, there have been a few bright moments for these Yellow Jackets and we’re looking at some notable names that have made those memories happen in Atlanta.

Jose Alvarado

The Yellow Jackets weren’t exactly a thriving program when Alvarado came to town but he was a big part of Josh Pastner’s first recruiting class. The 6-0 guard from Brooklyn found his footing quickly at Georgia Tech and would certainly spend the next four years building an unforgettable legacy.

The numbers were impressive throughout his time in Atlanta, averaging at least 12 points per game in each of his four seasons. Alvarado led the ACC in steals in both of his final two seasons, though it’s his senior year that really stands out. Not only did he average 15.2 points, 4.1 assists, and 2.8 steals per game, the ACC Defensive Player of the Year led the Yellow Jackets to a shocking ACC Tournament title.

Georgia Tech broke an 11-year NCAA Tournament drought largely thanks to Alvarado’s incredible play on both ends. He was a talented shooter, skilled floor general, and remains among the program leaders in career steals, with his basketball career still continuing with the New York Knicks.

Chris Bosh

An elite prospect in every regard, Bosh arrived from Dallas in 2002 and would spend just a single season with the Yellow Jackets before achieving quite a level of fame and success in the NBA. We’re not including him just on his name or pro success; he really stood out in that one season.

Georgia Tech would make a sensational Tourney run after his departure, but let’s not ignore how proficient Bosh was as a freshman, averaging 15.6 points and 9.0 rebounds per game. He led the ACC in both field goal percentage and blocked shots, totaling 2.2 of those a game to get a spot on the All-Defense team.

The ACC Rookie of the Year lived up to his Top 5 prospect billing with those dynamic numbers. His work came in a season where Georgia Tech finished just 16-15 but it’s impossible to ignore the high level he played at during a rarely prosperous time for this program, leading the ACC in a number of categories.

Jarrett Jack

Another prominent name from his NBA days, we simply cannot ignore what Jack meant to Georgia Tech during his three seasons with the program. He arrived back in 2002 and was part of that prominent recruiting class that also included Bosh, but Jack stayed a bit longer and built quite the legacy.

After making strides as a true freshman, Jack’s sophomore year saw him become a double-digit scorer while helping take the Yellow Jackets all the way to the national championship game. He returned for one more season, putting up 15.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.5 assists while earning All-ACC honors yet again.

Jack was efficient and an effective point guard and you know just how important someone like that is on a deep postseason run. Five of Georgia Tech’s seven NCAA Tournament wins since the turn of the century came during that run and it’s undeniable the role Jack played throughout his career.

Alvin Jones

Having a prominent 6-11 center typically meant great things and Jones certainly carved out his role during his time with the Yellow Jackets. He was recruited by Bobby Cremins and played for the Yellow Jackets until 2001, becoming one of the nation’s most talented shot blockers.

While not known as a high-profile scorer right off the bat, Jones already led the ACC in blocks as a freshman, the first of three straight years accomplishing that feat. Jones actually led the entire nation in blocked shots in his debut season before eventually averaging a double-double as a senior, putting up 13.4 points and 10.4 rebounds and helping get the Yellow Jackets back to the NCAA Tournament.

Jones has run away with the career blocks lead in Georgia Tech history and was one of the best interior defenders that the ACC has ever seen. He wasn’t around for that deep Tourney run but certainly had quite the legacy, also grabbing more than 1,000 rebounds while making nearly 49% of his career field goal attempts.

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Recent seasons since joining the ACC have largely been rocky for the Cardinals. You shouldn’t be surprised to see that each of the players included from Louisville were coached or recruited by Rick Pitino and became stars under his guidance during those prosperous years for this program.

Reece Gaines

He’s certainly not the only one with this claim, but Gaines just might be the best Louisville player to play for both Denny Crum and Rick Pitino. A former Top 40 prospect, Gaines arrived in town in 1999 and began developing into a key weapon as a starter under Crum before really taking a step forward once Pitino took over.

Gaines helped get the Cardinals back on track in Pitino’s first season, averaging 21.0 points per game as a junior. He became a reliable playmaker and was one of the top scorers in Conference USA as an upperclassman, earning First Team All-CUSA honors and getting Louisville back in the Big Dance as a senior.

He may not have been on a deep postseason run, but Gaines remains one of the top scorers in program history at 1,945 career points and helped usher in what was a successful start to Pitino’s time with the Cardinals. Gaines is a name that younger fans don’t know or have forgotten but he brought it on nightly basis.

Peyton Siva

Simply put, Siva was the point guard and architect behind what was clearly the most successful period on the court for Louisville basketball since the turn of the century. A 6-0 guard out of Seattle and impressive recruit, he was a bench piece as a freshman before really coming into his own later in his career.

Siva wasn’t the kind of player who would give you 20 points a night, but he did average at least 5.0 assists per game in each of his three seasons as a starter. More importantly, he helmed Cardinals squads that reached the Final Four in 2012 and cut down the nets as national champions in 2013.

Regardless of the title being vacated, Siva ended his career on top of the college basketball world and ranks second all-time in Louisville history in career assists and steals. He brought sensational stability and leadership and is continuing his legacy as a current assistant for the Cardinals.

Russ Smith

It certainly took more than a skilled point guard to bring that title to Louisville in 2013 and Smith would play a monumental role as well. A talented guard out of Brooklyn, he arrived three years earlier and was largely a bench piece as an underclassman, but Smith certainly took a step forward after that Final Four run.

That junior year saw Smith average 18.7 points per game while helping take the Cardinals to the national title, but he came back for one more season. In the program’s lone season in the AAC, Smith averaged 18.2 points and 4.6 assists per game, made 39% of his 3-pointers, and was a First Team All-American on a 31-win team.

He was brilliant offensively and remains one of the most notable scorers in recent history for the Cardinals but we can’t ignore his defense either. No Louisville player has more career steals than Smith, whose efforts on both sides of the ball were a big factor in that postseason success.

Terrence Williams

A 6-6 shooting guard originally from Seattle, Williams would become a lottery pick in 2009 but not before putting up some fantastic figures in his time at Louisville. He was a starter for most of his time with the Cardinals and developed into a real stat stuffer and aggressive weapon by the end of his college days.

Williams occupied a significant role in the backcourt in the program’s first four seasons in the Big East, helping Louisville to Elite Eight runs in both his junior and senior seasons. He earned All-Big East honors three years in a row and really peaked as a senior, putting up 12.5 points, 8.6 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 2.3 steals per game.

He’s another notable player who might not have been on a Final Four team but Williams still etched his place into Cardinals’ history. He still finds himself among the Top 10 in rebounds, steals, and assists in Louisville history and helped pave the way for their future success as members of the Big East.

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There might be a few surprises among Miami’s nominations but we’re considering players from four largely different eras of Hurricanes basketball. Whether or not everyone agrees with these inclusions, we’ve identified key pieces of Miami’s success and players that truly have stood out on the national stage.

Shane Larkin

He didn’t exactly follow in his father’s footsteps into baseball, but Larkin undoubtedly made a name for himself on the basketball scene. A 5-11 guard from Orlando, Larkin would star for a pair of seasons in Miami at the beginning of Jim Larranaga’s tenure before heading off to the NBA.

Larkin was already showing potential as a freshman in this lineup, but his second season is where things really clicked. He averaged 14.5 points, 4.6 assists, and 2.0 steals per game, leading the ACC in steals while shooting 40% from beyond the arc. The ACC Player of the Year most importantly took the Hurricanes to the Sweet Sixteen and was brilliant throughout that March.

He gained obvious NBA attention after those accolades and achievements, including a place on the ACC All-Defense team. Larkin accomplished quite a lot in just two seasons and was off to the NBA, but we can’t ignore what he meant in jumpstarting the program in a major way.

Jack McClinton

McClinton put up some brilliant figures as a freshman at Siena but transferred after his coach was fired. He’d land at Miami and after sitting out a year became a focal point in the Hurricanes’ backcourt under Frank Haith’s leadership, developing into one of the best shooters in ACC history.

During each of his three seasons in Coral Gables, McClinton averaged at least 16 points a game while making no less than 43% of his 3-pointers. He was twice named First Team All-ACC and shot 90% from the charity stripe, leading the ACC in free throw shooting three years running. He helped the Hurricanes to the Big Dance as a junior and averaged 17.9 points per game combined in his career at Miami.

The raw numbers were outstanding on a number of levels. McClinton was one of the most prolific scorers in the program’s history and nobody shot it better from outside the arc then he did. He remains one of the best 3-point shooters the ACC has seen before becoming a late draft pick in 2009.

Darius Rice

There were just four seasons when Perry Clark was head coach at Miami but Rice was an enormously bright spot throughout that tenure. He was a highly-regarded recruit when he arrived in 2000 and the 6-10 forward certainly adhered himself to the Hurricanes faithful with his frontcourt play.

It wasn’t on the most successful teams but Rice still put up impressive figures, already averaging 14.1 points per game as a freshman while also becoming a solid 3-point shooter. He earned three straight All-Big East honors and flourished both as a spot shooter and rebounder, including 18.7 points and 5.8 rebounds per game in a brilliant junior season.

Fifth all-time in scoring Hurricanes history, Rice put in a lot of work and was a great part of some rough teams. Despite Miami finishing below .500 in each of his final two seasons, it’s inarguable that Rice played a monumental role for this program and will be remembered for his versatility and skill.

Isaiah Wong

When Wong arrived at Miami in 2019 this team was coming off a poor season. His early career was greatly impacted by the national pandemic. Wong didn’t let any of that stop him or his Hurricanes, growing into a major playmaker and trendsetter on a historic rise for this program.

He stepped into that major role already as a sophomore when averaging 17.1 points a game, but we’re looking beyond that. Wong helped lead the Hurricanes to the Elite Eight as a junior and then really peaked in year four. He was named ACC Player of the Year with some phenomenal figures while taking Miami all the way to their first ever Final Four.

Wong was immensely paramount to the Hurricanes’ success at the end of his career and is arguably the most important piece of those runs and of Miami basketball since the turn of the century. He became a great shooter, distributor, and leader and left an unmistakable place in Hurricanes’ history with that Final Four run.

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The Wolfpack might geographically be located right down the road from Duke and North Carolina, but this program continues to live in the shadow of their rivals. Let’s be clear, NC State has had some standout moments since the turn of the century and these players were major factors in those events.

Lorenzo Brown

A Top 30 recruit out of Georgia, Brown spent three pretty good years at NC State and was part of two eras, overlapping into the beginning of Mark Gottfried’s time in Raleigh. He was a decent contributor right from the jump before becoming a double-digit scorer under Gottfried’s leadership.

Brown took a step forward by averaging 12.7 points, 6.3 assists, and 1.8 steals per game while helping the Wolfpack to the Sweet Sixteen in his second season. Brown led the ACC in steals that season and in assists as a junior, with a pair of All-ACC honors as one of the league’s most productive point guards.

You’ll find Brown’s name pretty high up on the all-time steals and assists list for the Wolfpack, evidence of his success in just three years. He was off to the NBA and was drafted in 2013 but played a major role in reshaping the program in the early 2010’s.

DJ Burns Jr.

Burns spent three years developing into one of the best players in the Big South, starring at Winthrop across three seasons on the court. However, he headed to NC State in 2022 with two seasons of eligibility and clearly made the most of them in a memorable way.

His first season under Kevin Keatts was a very solid effort, but that 2024 run with the Wolfpack won’t soon be forgotten. Burns averaged 12.9 points and 4.0 rebounds per game and became the face of a miracle run to the ACC Tournament title and the Final Four. He was named ACC Tournament MVP, was impressive throughout that postseason, and was one of the national leaders in made field goals from inside the arc.

His 29-point performance in that Elite Eight upset over Duke remains heroic and that run cements him among some of the legends of this program. His numbers might not jump off the page as much as some of these other names but you can’t make a recent Mount Rushmore in Raleigh without Burns’ image.

Julius Hodge

Herb Sendek had plenty of success at the end of his tenure as NC State head coach and Hodge played a major part in that. A blue chip prospect and fantastic guard, Hodge landed in Raleigh in 2001 and would start 125 games for the Wolfpack, developing into one of the best scoring guards in the ACC.

Hodge was a Top 5 scorer in the ACC in each of his last three seasons and was named ACC Player of the Year as a junior, averaging 18.2 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 3.6 assists in that campaign. As a senior, he put up similar figures and helped take the Wolfpack to the Sweet Sixteen for the first time in 16 years.

He’s third all-time in scoring at NC State but it’s about more than just points. Hodge played a major role as a starter and playmaker on four straight NCAA Tournament teams, something recent fans can only dream about in recent years. Hodge lived up to the hype, produced at a high level, and became a first round pick in 2005.

T. J. Warren

Despite being born in Durham, Warren found his home with NC State after some brilliant work at the high school level. A consensus 4-star prospect, he was a 6-8 forward with plenty of potential who really came together by the end of his brief career in Raleigh, leaving after his sophomore season.

Warren put up 12.1 points a game and led the ACC in field goal percentage as a freshman, but his production more than doubled after that. A dramatic leap forward as a sophomore saw him producing 24.9 points and 7.1 rebounds per game, becoming a Second Team All-American and the ACC Player of the Year.

Not only was that the best scoring season in program history, Warren also helped the Wolfpack to a pair of trips to the Big Dance. His career was productive in virtually every way, with solid steals numbers as well. Warren did quite a lot in just two seasons and certainly deserved this recognition and was a walking bucket during his time.

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It won’t surprise anyone to hear that a Blue Blood program has brought an incredible level of talent to town on a regular basis. We’re leaving off a lot of really good basketball players here, including some record setters from recent years. However, all of today’s inclusions were national champions and it’s hard to argue against their legacies.

Tyler Hansbrough

Quite possibly the greatest and most iconic college basketball player since the turn of the century, Hansbrough embodied everything that makes someone a star. The Missouri native was an instant favorite with the Tar Heels, becoming a 4-time All-American and national champion, as well as a bitter enemy of the Blue Devils.

Hansbrough averaged at least 18 points a game in each of his four seasons but let’s focus on that junior year. That season saw him named AP Player of the Year while putting up 22.6 points and 10.2 rebounds while getting the Tar Heels back to the Final Four. One year later, Hansbrough was a national champion after another incredible season.

No ACC player has scored more career points than Hansbrough and no D1 college basketball player made more free throws than him. He epitomized North Carolina basketball and helped bring Roy Williams another national title. It’s almost impossible to put into words here just what he meant both in Chapel Hill and to the sport.

Justin Jackson

Jackson arrived in Chapel Hill as a Top 10 recruit out of Texas and someone that was expected to compete at a high level. Considering what the program accomplished in his three seasons, it’s fair to say he was more than successful in the North Carolina frontcourt, developing into one of the best players in the country.

Jackson put up nice numbers as an underclassman and helped the Tar Heels to the national title game as a sophomore, but his junior year takes the cake. He was a First Team All-American and the ACC Player of the Year after averaging 18.3 points and 4.7 rebounds a game, including 37% from outside the arc. Most importantly, he averaged nearly 20 points a game during the Tar Heels’ run to the national title.

He’s responsible for one of the most productive seasons in recent memory for the Tar Heels, not just becoming a fantastic forward but spearheading that title run. Jackson was nothing short of brilliant during his career before heading to the NBA in 2017.

Ty Lawson

There’s been a lot of talent that has come through those hallowed halls in Chapel Hill and you can certainly count Lawson among the most notable. He was a Top 5 prospect when he was brought to town in 2006 and assumed an important role quickly with the Tar Heels, eventually leaving town on top of the college basketball world.

A crafty point guard with great potential, he put up brilliant numbers as an underclassman and played in a Final Four before really peaking as a junior. He helmed a very talented North Carolina squad that won the national championship in 2009, averaging 16.6 points, 6.6 assists, and 2.1 steals per game. He won ACC Player of the Year, leading the conference in assists and steals and seemingly hitting all the right buttons during that postseason run.

Lawson’s 608 assists in three seasons still ranks among the Tar Heel greats and his contributions on a title-winning team clearly stand out in Carolina lore. He may have left town for the NBA after that run but he did more than enough in those three years to remain a legend for this program.

Sean May

It’s a similar story and it has a happy ending once again. May was a blue chip prospect who chose the Tar Heels, a big surprise after his father’s success at Indiana. He played briefly under Matt Doherty and stuck around for Roy Williams and a lot of people in Chapel Hill were made happy a few years later.

May took a demonstrative step forward under that new leadership, developing into the ACC’s top rebounder in his sophomore season. In his junior year, May put up 17.5 points and 10.7 rebounds per game and became a Second Team All-American. We also can’t ignore his monumental impact during North Carolina’s title run in 2005, averaging 22.3 points and 10.7 rebounds in those six contests.

While he took his talents to the NBA right after that title run, May clearly built a lasting legacy. He didn’t follow in his father’s footsteps but instead paved his own path with the Tar Heels. His performance during that run was on another level and helped push this program from those disappointing days back into national prominence.

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Aside from a few trips to the Elite Eight in the mid-2010’s, Notre Dame’s time in the ACC hasn’t exactly been full of prosperity. In fact, all four players we’re looking at today played at least parts of their career in the Big East and were all major factors for Mike Brey’s success in South Bend.

Jerian Grant

A 6-5 guard who starred at DeMatha just outside of Washington DC, Grant arrived at Notre Dame in 2011 when the Fighting Irish were still in the Big East. His time in northern Indiana wasn’t without its challenges, but by the end of his career he’d become one of the ACC’s best backcourt players.

Grant was a sheer talent on the basketball court and put up nice numbers as an underclassman. His junior year was cut short after he was deemed ineligible academically, but he opted to return to Notre Dame and had quite the final salvo. As a senior he averaged 16.5 points and 6.7 assists per game, was named a First Team All-American, and helped get the Fighting Irish to the Elite Eight.

After his academic issues, Grant could have jumped to the NBA but instead really helped Mike Brey and this program with that transition from the Big East to the ACC. His 253 assists is the most ever in a single season for a Fighting Irish player and he spearheaded what was a monstrous step forward in 2015 before getting his chance at the next level.

Ben Hansbrough

While not the same level of player as his brother, Hansbrough still put together quite the impressive basketball career and it actually started in the SEC. Hansbrough played a pair of seasons at Mississippi State before sitting out and transferring to Notre Dame, playing for the Fighting Irish for two years.

Notre Dame was an NCAA Tournament team in his debut and he put up some nice figures but his senior year really blew that out of the water. He not only helped the Fighting Irish on another Tourney run, he also averaged 18.4 points and 4.3 assists while shooting 43% from outside the arc. Hansbrough was named a Second Team All-American and clearly one of the best all-around players in the Big East.

The Big East Player of the Year in 2011, Hansbrough ended his career on a very high note, even if Notre Dame’s Tourney run ended in the Round of 32. Regardless, he was an efficient shooter and productive ball handler who clearly found the right school to finish off his collegiate career.

Luke Harangody

Harangody made his way to Notre Dame from northwest Indiana and would leave four years later as one of the most notable scorers in program history. He arrived in 2006 and carved out a decent role on a Tourney team before becoming an absolute menace, averaging at least 20 points per game for three straight years.

He became instant offense for the rest of his career, earning three straight All-American honors while helping Notre Dame to four straight 20-win seasons. There wasn’t a deep Tourney run for the Fighting Irish, but it’s hard to ignore some of the raw figures. Once named Big East Player of the Year, he also put up 23.3 points and 11.8 rebounds per game during his junior year, ending his career with 2,476 career points.

Only Austin Carr has more career points in a Notre Dame jersey and only Tom Hawkins has more rebounds. Harangody established himself as one of the most productive players in the history of Notre Dame basketball from the moment he set foot on Campus and was a reliable and insane weapon in those four years.

Troy Murphy

Had Murphy stayed in South Bend beyond his junior season then he might have rewritten the record books for many figures as a Fighting Irish. What’s impressive isn’t just the raw numbers, but the fact that the New Jersey native played a season each under three different head coaches before ending his career in 2001 in Brey’s first season.

Murphy was already the Big East’s top rebounder and most effective scorer as a freshman while becoming Rookie of the Year in the league. He would average 22.7 points and 10.3 rebounds per game as a sophomore under Matt Doherty, earning First Team All-American honors as well as Big East Player of the Year. The numbers were very similar in year three and the honors were the same, cementing Murphy’s place among the greats in the Big East.

After more than 2000 career points and nearly 1000 rebounds in three years, Murphy has a significant place in Notre Dame history. He was undoubtedly the best player on a few teams that just needed a bit more talent. He was perhaps the most productive player that Notre Dame has ever seen and did at least play in the NCAA Tournament in that third and final campaign.

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Pittsburgh is another notable basketball program that just hasn’t found its footing since joining the ACC over a decade ago. The Panthers were very successful in the earlier parts of this century under Ben Howland and Jamie Dixon as members of the Big East and each of these selections starred in that conference.

DeJuan Blair

It may have been just two years for Blair with the Panthers but the hometown kid made them count. A Top 40 prospect from right there in Pittsburgh, Blair starred at forward and was a brilliant frontcourt weapon under Jamie Dixon, becoming one of the Big East’s most notable players by the end of his brief career.

Already brilliant as a freshman starter, Blair was an efficient scorer and strong defender. In year two, he made 59% of his field goal attempts while averaging 15.7 points and 12.3 rebounds per outing. Blair was a First Team All-American, the ACC Player of the Year, and guided the Panthers to the Elite Eight with a slew of nice performances.

With just those two seasons under his belt before heading off to the NBA, you won’t see Blair high up on some of these career stats for the Panthers, but it’s clear the impact he had. He was enormously brilliant all over the court as an elite defender and shot maker, keying that deep postseason run.

Ashton Gibbs

Another important piece during Pittsburgh’s early success, Gibbs was a talented guard who arrived in 2008 and was little more than a bench piece initially. By the time he graduated he had developed into one of the best shooters and scorers in recent memory for the Panthers.

A starter in the backcourt in his second year, it’s year three that really stands out for Gibbs. Not only did he make another trip to the Big Dance, he also put up 16.8 points per game and led the ACC by shooting 49% from beyond the arc. He was one of the nation’s best shooters that season and despite an underwhelming senior year still put together a fantastic career.

You won’t find many Panthers with better shooting figures than Gibbs, who ranks among the all-time leaders in Pittsburgh history in points scored. He was a minor piece on an Elite Eight squad and slowly developed into a reliable sharpshooter and it’s hard to forget just what he meant during that success.

Brandin Knight

Knight originally arrived in Pittsburgh nearly three decades ago and was a major part of the equation from 1999 to 2003, the entirety of Ben Howland’s tenure as head coach. Knight developed into an elite point guard under Howland’s tutelage and was a big part of some breakthrough teams.

The early scoring numbers might not blow you away, but Knight helped lead the Panthers on three straight trips to the Sweet Sixteen. He took a marked step forward in year three by averaging 15.6 points and 7.2 assists and was named Big East Player of the Year.

An incredible asset on both sides of the ball, Knight remains the all-time leader in both assists and steals in Pittsburgh history and among the Big East’s best in those two statistics. He was an effective scorer and put his teammates in great shape for success, evident by those numerous Tourney wins during his career.

Sam Young

It was a four-year career at Pittsburgh for Young and it featured four straight trips to the NCAA Tournament. Young blossomed before joining the Panthers and was a revered prospect in the frontcourt, but he really made an impact on the court at the collegiate level.

Young played an important role off the bench as an underclassman before becoming a top-level forward as an upperclassman. He would average 18.1 points and 6.3 rebounds per game as a junior, representing a big step forward. Even better numbers would following in his senior year as he guided the Panthers to the Elite Eight, including a 32-point outburst in a win over Oklahoma State during that run.

The brilliant work late in his career included a pair of First Team All-Big East honors as he became one of the league’s top scorers. Young played his role extremely well as an efficient scorer and rebounder on some very fruitful Panthers teams. In fact, those last two seasons were the two highest-scoring seasons in Panthers history by a single player.

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There haven’t exactly been a plethora of amazing seasons for the Mustangs as they’ve gone from the WAC to the CUSA to the AAC and now the ACC. This is far from a notable basketball program, but the Mustangs have still had some very notable players, especially around the time Larry Brown was leading the charge.

Kendric Davis

In a sign of the recent times in college basketball, Davis really starred during his time for SMU but didn’t start or finish his career with the Mustangs. He was a bench piece for the TCU before three years in Dallas, then ending his career as a star for AAC rival Memphis, but we’re only thinking about his brilliance with SMU.

Davis led the AAC in assists twice and field goal percentage once during a great run with the Mustangs, averaging 19.0 points and 7.6 assists during the pandemic-altered season. He was named AAC Player of the Year in his third and final year with the Mustangs, scoring 19.4 points per game while remaining an effective weapon on a 24-win team.

Due to the pandemic and other happenings, Davis never reached the Big Dance with the Mustangs and did reach other notoriety in that final year with Memphis. Regardless, he did more than enough to standout in SMU history and his 445 assists sits among the very best for the program.

Bryan Hopkins

An impactful recruit, Hopkins is a 6-0 point guard out of Dallas who arrived way back in 2002 when SMU was still members of the WAC. He would spend four years putting up some great numbers on some underwhelming Mustangs teams, but he did more than enough to remain a notable figure in program history.

Hopkins was already getting significant run as a freshman and actually led the WAC in steals, something he’d accomplish again. He averaged at least 17 points a game as both as a sophomore and junior before leading the Mustangs into the CUSA in his final season. Hopkins always finished among the leaders in points, assists, and steals.

He remains SMU’s all-time leader in steals, shot 36% from outside the arc for his career, and was a bright spot on a few teams that might have otherwise been lost to time in both the WAC and CUSA. Hopkins was a stat stuffing machine who lived up to that hype but just couldn’t get SMU over the hump by himself.

Nic Moore

Don’t underestimate Moore by his size, this 5-9 point guard from Indiana was a phenomenal athlete and weapon throughout his collegiate career. He began that career at Illinois State before transferring, finally getting on court for the Mustangs starting in 2013. He’d become a top-level scorer and distributor for this team under Larry Brown’s leadership.

Moore made 44% of his 3-pointers as a sophomore and helped the Mustangs to the NCAA Tournament as a junior. He was one of the AAC’s best players throughout his career, winning back-to-back AAC Player of the Year honors in 2015 and 2016. His senior season stood out, averaging 16.1 points and 5.2 assists per game, leading the league in those figures as well as 3-point shooting percentage.

Ignoring the aftermath of Brown’s time with the Mustangs, Moore was part of plenty of winning in his three seasons in Dallas. He’s among the program’s leaders in career assists, was one of the best pure shooters in the conference, and was immensely important to what’s been the most prosperous era of SMU basketball since the turn of the century.

Semi Ojeleye

Pure talent was not something that Ojeleye lacked at all and his time in Dallas proved that. While we’re throwing him on the SMU Mount Rushmore, let’s not ignore that he won a national title as a backup player at Duke before transferring to the Mustangs. He’d spend just a single season on the court for SMU but he sure made it count.

That redshirt junior year saw Ojeleye average 19.0 points and 6.9 rebounds per game while knocking down 42% of his 3-pointers. He was named AAC Player of the Year and helped lead a 30-win team back to the NCAA Tournament, making just one of the program’s three trips over the last three decades.

A backup player previously, Ojeleye lived up to the hype when given his opportunity with Tim Jankovich and company. He put up ridiculous numbers and earned all kinds of accolades and attention before heading off to the NBA and he did enough in that one season to grab our attention today.

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We may sound like a broken record saying this again, but Stanford is not in the midst of their glory days. They had some fantastic seasons much earlier in the 2000’s and haven’t really been in great shape over the last decade, especially not since joining the ACC. Unsurprisingly, everyone mentioned today played for Stanford at least a decade ago.

Josh Childress

Childress was a highly-regarded prospect when he opted for the Cardinal and he did some pretty great work during his time in Palo Alto. He worked into a major role and was gone after three seasons before the NBA came calling, but let’s not ignore just what this 6-8 forward accomplished.

Largely a bench piece as a freshman, Childress took a big step as a sophomore by averaging 14.1 points and 8.1 rebounds a game, becoming one of the Pac-10’s best rebounders. In what would be his final season, he was named both Pac-10 Player of the Year and a Second Team All-American, leading the Cardinal on a historic 30-win season.

Childress spent his time becoming a great rebounder and shot blocker who could also hit outside shots. His junior year was even limited by injury and he still put together some impressive numbers on a historically impressive Stanford squad, securing his place in program history.

Casey Jacobsen

Another notable player more than two decades ago, Jacobsen was another top prospect who found success in a three-year run with the Cardinal. He originally arrived back in 1999 and wouldn’t leave until becoming a two-time All-American and impressive playmaker on some very successful teams.

After great strides as a freshman, he was named a First Team All-American and helped Stanford to the Elite Eight and a 31-win campaign, averaging 18.1 points per game as a sophomore. The raw numbers were even better in year three, leading the Pac-10 with 21.9 points a game for Mike Montgomery’s team.

Jacobsen is fourth all-time in scoring for the Cardinal and it’s easy to imagine he could be among the all-time leaders had he stayed for his senior season. While he was around, Jacobsen was a phenomenal on some productive and elite Stanford teams before becoming a first round pick in the 2002 NBA Draft.

Brook Lopez

A Top 10 recruit in 2006, Lopez is a 7-0 big man who headed from Fresno to Palo Alto alongside his twin brother and became a menace for the Cardinal. He may have only played 53 games across the next two seasons, but Lopez became a memorable figure and certainly set himself up for future success at the pro level.

He was already producing at a high level in his debut but his sophomore year was pretty special. Lopez helped guide the Cardinal to the Sweet Sixteen and put up 19.3 points and 8.2 rebounds per game as one of the Pac-10’s best frontcourt weapons. He actually finished among the conference’s leaders in points, rebounds, and blocks during that 28-win campaign.

We’re not considering Lopez’s long NBA career, but remembering just what he meant to the Cardinal during his time with the program. He lived up to the billing as a 5-star recruit and really established himself as a menacing big. He was one of the most memorable faces for Stanford basketball and the program has only danced once since his departure to the NBA in 2008.

Chasson Randle

Recent years haven’t been kind for Stanford hoops but Randle is probably the most recent true star that his program has had. A native of western Illinois, he headed west in 2011 and would rewrite a few record books during his four years at Stanford and was even part of the program’s most recent trip to the NCAA Tournament.

Randle was a very solid scorer as an underclassman before averaging 18.8 points per game as a junior in a season that ended in a Sweet Sixteen run. He made 38% of his 3-pointers and was an effective scorer for the Cardinal and was even NIT MVP as a senior after putting up similarly gaudy figures. He earned a pair of First Team All-Pac-12 honors and was one of the top scorers the league has seen.

With four very productive seasons, it might not shock you to hear that Randle’s 2,375 career points are the all-time record in Stanford history. It’s just not just that he put the ball in the basket; he was also monumental under Johnny Dawkins on the most recent truly productive era for this program, though many in Palo Alto likely hope that the next Randle isn’t too far away.

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With the exception of a few crazy postseason runs, Syracuse hasn’t exactly been living their glory days since joining the ACC either. Much of the success of this program came under the great Jim Boeheim during his 47-year run as head coach and you know we’ll be looking closely at the players responsible for the program’s first title back in 2003.

Carmelo Anthony

Perhaps the most profound inclusion in today’s piece that achieved his success in another conference, Anthony remains one of the most notable college basketball players of the era and was a star when Syracuse was still in the Big East. Regardless, this blue chip prospect certainly earned all of that notoriety.

As a true freshman in his only college season, he put up 22.2 points and 10.0 rebounds per game and was named a Second Team All-American. He was among the top scorers in the nation largely because of his postseason success, helming the Orange and leading the program all the way to the national championship in 2003. Unsurprisingly, he was the Most Outstanding Player of that Tournament.

The work Carmelo did during his time with Syracuse was more than two decades ago but you won’t find anyone in western New York forgetting about it. Nothing comes close to what he meant to the Orange during his time under Jim Boeheim predating even his stardom in the NBA.

Gerry McNamara

Long before he took over as head coach of the Orange, McNamara himself was a standout shooter for Syracuse. He was part of a notable recruiting class that featured Carmelo, with McNamara playing a notable role as a freshman in a title-winning campaign.

One of the Big East’s best pure shooters and free throw shooters, McNamara took on a larger role later in his career, averaging 17.2 points per game as a sophomore before similar numbers as an upperclassman. By the time his career was over, he had score over 2,000 points, notched several All-Big East honors, and helped his program to three more trips to the NCAA Tournament.

Reliable and profound throughout his career, McNamara remains Top 5 in Syracuse program history in points, assists, and steals and truly played his role for this program. We’ll see just what McNamara has in store as the new head coach at Syracuse but nothing will diminish what he accomplished as a national champion and sharpshooter.

Wesley Johnson

As an underclassman Johnson had two very productive seasons at Iowa State and was a double-digit scorer for the Cyclones. A 6-7 forward out of Texas, he was a reliable weapon on a couple of underwhelming teams at Iowa State before opting to transfer, leaving the Big 12 for the Big East.

After sitting out a season, Johnson was back on the court in 2009 and starred in what became his only season in Syracuse. He was good for 16.5 points and 8.5 rebounds per game in that lone season, becoming a First Team All-American and Big East Player of the Year while taking the Orange to the Sweet Sixteen.

You could easily argue that a few other names could usurp Johnson since he spent just one season playing for Boeheim and the Orange, but it was such a productive season. After redshirting, Johnson instantly became the best of the Big East and one of the top forwards in the nation and soon after became the 4th pick of the 2010 NBA Draft.

Hakim Warrick

Another very important piece of Syracuse’s notable run to the national title, Warrick is a 6-9 forward who was in western New York beforehand, originally arriving in 2001. He put together four pretty productive seasons with the Orange and really took a step up during that championship campaign.

That title came in a sophomore season where Warrick averaged 14.8 points and 8.5 rebounds a night. While Syracuse clearly wouldn’t match that postseason success again, his best efforts came as a senior. He was Big East Player of the Year while averaging 21.4 points and 8.6 rebounds, also getting a nod as First Team All-American.

Warrick lived the dream and accomplished quite a lot during his time with Syracuse. His career numbers of 2,073 points and 1,025 rebounds both rank Top 5 in Syracuse history. He’ll always be part of a national championship team and all that glory. He also set himself up for the future and was a first round pick, beginning a lengthy professional career.

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Under the leadership of Tony Bennett, Virginia really became an ACC power for a number of years with a slew of league titles as well as the national championship in 2019. It shouldn’t be a surprise to see a few of his greatest players mentioned today, though he didn’t coach all four of these star Cavaliers.

Malcolm Brogdon

A fringe Top 100 prospect that chose Tony Bennett early in his tenure, Brogdon made his way from Atlanta to Charlottesville in 2011. He had decent production as a freshman off the bench before a foot injury caused him to miss an entire season, but the player we saw after that injury was on another level.

Brogdon spent the next three years turning into a star for the Cavaliers, with great effort on both sides of the ball. By his junior year he was a Second Team All-American and earning defensive honors but his senior year takes the cake. Brogdon took the Cavaliers to the Elite Eight while averaging 18.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game, notching ACC Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year honors.

He was a skilled scorer and effective defender, but we’re not just lauding Brogdon for scoring 1,800 points. He was a significant part of the revival of Virginia basketball and helped pave the way for what would be a very prosperous run in the near future. Being a two-time All-American didn’t hurt either.

Kyle Guy

Still considering by many the face of Virginia’s national championship run, Guy came from Indianapolis right after Brogdon’s departure. He eased into his role and would transform into a backcourt legend and fantastic shooter by the end of his career. Heck, Guy made nearly half of his 3-pointers as a freshman off the bench.

He was already receiving tons of attention as a sophomore and was scoring more than 14 points a game, though UMBC’s massive upset of the Cavaliers really diminished Virginia’s season. In his junior year, Guy put up 15.4 points and 4.5 rebounds per game while shooting 43% from beyond the arc. He earned All-American honors for a second straight season and more important became the Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA Tournament, fueling that historic run.

Looking back, Virginia’s title run does not happen without Guy’s presence, and we’re not forgetting the clutch free throws he hit to beat Auburn in the Final Four. He was a phenomenal shooter and also locked in defensively as a major part of Bennett’s scheme. Clearly with that championship and accolades he won’t soon be forgotten in Charlottesville.

De’Andre Hunter

A 6-7 guard out of Philadelphia, Hunter may have been considered a Top 100 prospect when he arrived at Virginia, but he still redshirted his first season. That decision just may have helped Virginia win a national title, as Hunter matured and adjusted to Bennett’s scheme in a major way.

As a redshirt freshman, he put up 9.2 point a game off the bench, but his absence in the NCAA Tournament helped doom the Cavaliers. Shaking off that UMBC game, his second season was very notable, contributing 15.2 points and 5.1 rebounds a game while winning both ACC and the NABC Defensive Player of the Year awards.

We cannot forget Hunter’s 27-point performance in the title game win at Texas Tech in his final game with the Cavaliers. He wasn’t just an elite defender and impressive All-American, he was a paramount part of that championship run and never lost a game in the NCAA Tournament in his short career.

Sean Singletary

The one inclusion who didn’t star for Bennett during the program’s recent success, Singletary was recruited by Pete Gillen and played three of his four seasons under Dave Leitao. A 6-0 guard out of Philadelphia, he started all 123 games he played for the Cavaliers and was a remarkable scorer and contributor right from the jump.

Singletary shined right away but really flourished under Leitao’s leadership, averaging at least 17 points a game in each of those last three seasons. The talent point guard earned three straight First Team All-ACC honors and was among the league’s leaders in points and assists each season. Singletary helped Virginia back to the Big Dance as a junior before putting together 19.8 points and 6.1 assists per game as a senior.

While he didn’t have the breakthrough success that these other Cavaliers achieved, Singletary was an extremely notable offensive piece during a lull for this program. He worked his way pretty high up on the program’s all-time lead in points, assists, and steals and was a remarkable athlete.

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You’re not going to find a plethora of success stories when flipping through the history of Virginia Tech basketball, but this program has certainly been far from dormant. The players we’re highlighting today transcend several eras of Hokies basketball, including perhaps the most successful season in the last half-century in Blacksburg.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker

The basketball history at Virginia Tech isn’t exactly filled with notable moments but Alexander-Walker’s brief time in Blacksburg would change that. A Top 40 recruit and impressive guard, he arrived at Virginia Tech in 2017 and would become a notable scorer, shooter, and contributor from the beginning before heading off to the NBA.

Alexander-Walker averaged double figures as a full-time starter as a freshman but it’s his sophomore year that we really liked. Even more of a focal point for the Hokies, he averaged 16.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game while making 37% of his 3-pointers. More importantly, the All-ACC guard had a 20-point performance during a run to the Sweet Sixteen, the first in program history.

While far from the only talented piece of the puzzle, Alexander-Walker was an enormous part of what remains the most successful season in recent memory for Virginia Tech basketball. He may have bolted after two years and become an NBA pick, but his legacy remains that breakthrough success even if the Hokies couldn’t build on that future.

Malcolm Delaney

Who doesn’t like a 6-3 guard who can score in bunches and put his teammates in great positions for success? Delaney headed over from Baltimore in 2007, earned his starting spot halfway through his freshman season, and would become a focal point for the Hokies across his four seasons.

His career took a major step forward as a sophomore with his production nearly doubling. His junior year saw First Team All-ACC honors as he averaged 20.2 points and 4.5 assists per game on a team that finished the year 25-9. Each of his last three seasons were enormously productive, while also shooting better than 40% from beyond the arc as a senior.

Delaney was part of a few good teams under Seth Greenberg but sadly never played in the NCAA Tournament. Regardless, his contributions were clearly significant and he remains among the program’s all-time leaders in scoring and assists. It’s honestly hard to find a more productive player since the turn of the century in Blacksburg.

Zabian Dowdell

While he was a productive player throughout his career, things were very different when Dowdell originally came to town in 2003. The Hokies were still in the Big East during his freshman campaign and struggled a bit early in Greenberg’s tenure as head coach. However, Dowdell was a big part of their step forward, especially during his senior year.

He helped the Hokies break an NCAA Tournament drought that spanned over a decade, getting the program into the Big Dance in 2007. It was a fantastic season on a personal level with 17.4 points and 2.1 steals a game, getting recognition both as All-ACC and All-Defense in the league.

You’ll find Dowdell pretty prominently in those Virginia Tech record books with his points, assists, and steals, really taking on a major role during an otherwise flat time in Hokies’ history. He produced at a high level and spearheaded the first big postseason run in over a decade and it’s hard to top that.

Erick Green

Quite possibly the most notable Hokie since the turn of the century, Green originally arrived back in 2009 as a guard with certain potential. By the time he left and became an NBA draft pick, Green had risen into one of the best backcourt pieces in the entire country and a clear part of Virginia Tech history.

He didn’t see the court much early in his career and never played in the Big Dance, but Green took major steps forward with each passing season. He was among the ACC leaders in steals as a sophomore and points as a junior but really blew up as a senior, putting together 25.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game while winning ACC Player of the Year.

Unsurprisingly, Green got plenty of national attention for what became the highest scoring single-season in program history. It may have been a disappointing season for the team under new coach James Johnson, but Green showed up in a major way on a daily basis before heading off to the next level with incredible hype.

Basket Under Review

Justin Gray

The golden days for this Wake Forest program were certainly back in the early 2000’s and Gray was a big piece in that proverbial puzzle back then. A 6-2 guard out of Charlotte with plenty of high school hype, he settled into a starring role in the backcourt by his sophomore season and became one of Wake Forest’s most notable shooters in recent memory.

As a sophomore, Gray was the leading scorer on a team that advanced to the Sweet Sixteen for the first time in eight years. Gray then led the ACC in 3-point shooting as a junior before putting up monster numbers in his senior year at 18.2 points and 4.3 assists per game. He clearly earned three straight All-ACC honors and was a notable piece during three trips to the NCAA Tournament.

Gray may not have been the most notable player during those runs, and we’ll get to that later, but no Wake Forest player scored more points than him since the turn of the century. He played a monumental role for the Demon Deacons and continues affecting the game of basketball as the head coach down at Coastal Carolina.

Josh Howard

Long before he was an NBA All-Star Howard was a 6-7 forward from Winston-Salem who grew into a star with his hometown team. He was already contributing at a high level under Dave Odom as an underclassman, though his career really took off in his later years after Skip Prosser came to town.

Howard was part of three NCAA Tournament teams and made great strides on both sides of the ball. In his senior season in 2003, Howard averaged 19.5 points and 8.3 rebounds per game and was named both ACC Player of the Year and a First Team All-American, becoming one of the nation’s most impressive scorers and rebounders.

The Demon Deacons didn’t have a deep Tournament run while Howard was in town but he certainly helped pave the way for a future breakthrough for Wake Forest basketball. Howard was an incredible frontcourt weapon and it’s hard to convey just what he meant for the Demon Deacons, especially in that breakout season as a senior.

Chris Paul

It’s been more than two decades since Paul played collegiately at Wake Forest but he certainly remains an icon for this program after a lengthy NBA career. Paul was a highly-regarded prospect when he originally came to Winston-Salem and used his two collegiate years to prove that to the world.

A dynamic point guard, Paul led the ACC in steals and was a major leader as a freshman during Wake Forest’s run to the Sweet Sixteen in 2004. Not a one-and-done prospect, he came back for year two, averaging 15.3 points, 6.6 assists, and 2.4 steals to earn First Team All-American honors while sitting among the nation’s best defenders as well.

Everyone knows that a fantastic NBA career would follow, but the former ACC Rookie of the Year clearly left it all on the court long before that opportunity. Paul was an elite defender, impressive shooter, and really ran the court well during an era of prosperity for this program. Wake Forest was in a fantastic place due to Paul’s craftiness and quite frankly haven’t had a guard like him ever since.

Jeff Teague

There really haven’t been many things to be excited about in recent years for Wake Forest but Teague is one of the most recent true standouts. A former Top 60 prospect out of Indianapolis, he took his talents to Winston-Salem back in 2007 and would leave two years later as one of the best backcourt weapons in the entire country.

Teague put up nearly 14 points per game as a freshman but really shined in his second and final season on the court. Not only did he help get Wake Forest back to the Big Dance, he also averaged 18.8 points and 3.5 assists while making 44% of his 3-point attempts. His marvelous figures earned him Second Team All-American billing while contributing greatly on a 24-win season.

The Demon Deacons have danced just twice since Teague’s departure for the NBA in 2009. He was perhaps the last in a line of significant professional talent to file through Winston-Salem, emerging as a great scorer and defender during the late 2000’s. He became an NBA All-Star and future NBA champion and really developed into a long-term success story.