best college basketball players of the 2010s


5 all-time leading scorer and as the sports first three-time All-American since Patrick Ewing. He scored 44 points, tying a K-State record, against Texas, including 12 of 12 from the free throw line and 6 of 6 from beyond the arc. That's the legacy of Breanna Stewart, arguably the most decorated and accomplished college basketball player to ever step on the court. 30. Comment: Calathes has great size at 66 for the point guard position. Comment: After drawing comparisons to the likes of Baron Davis, Holiday did not play up to par his freshmen season. 118. The Bahamas native nearly became the eighth college basketball player since 1983 to join the elusive 50-40-90 club but fell just four made free throws short. Craig Brackins, Iowa State: 20.2ppg-9.5rpg-1.3apg-0.5spg-0.9bpg-32.5mpg Elliot Williams, Duke: 4.2ppg-2.3rpg-0.7apg-0.6spg-0bpg-16.6mpg Jalen Brunson led the Wildcats to two Big East regular-season championships, two Big East tournament championships, and two national championships in his three years at Villanova. It features four-year players like Draymond Green whose body of work includes both dominance and longevity. He has room to improve, but he showed signs of take over ability as a freshman. He skipped this years draft because he was not satisfied with this past season, and a player like him that returns with a vengeance is one to watch out for. Westbrook is still one of the more explosive players in the country. Nick Calathes, Florida: 17.2ppg-5.3rpg-6.4apg-1.9spg-0.2bpg-33.3mpg . Comment: Thompkins had a good freshman year, but he should continue to improve. The Spartans first round loss to Middle Tennessee during Valentines senior season felt like the biggest upset in tournament history until that whole UMBC thing happened a couple years later. He had some discipline issues this past season, but if he can keep it together he will be in for a great season. 137. 56. 93. 90. Comment: Oliver only played about half the season because he transferred from Washington, but he is a good scorer and shooter and should thrive at the mid-major level. Derrick Walker leads the team in scoring with 14.7 points per game, but Sam Griesel is the only other player on the roster to be averaging over 10. 2026; 2025; 2024 . For both his junior and senior seasons, McDermott came fewer than five free-throw shooting percentage points away from joining the 50-40-90 club. Devan Downey, South Carolina: 19.8ppg-2.8rpg-4.5apg-2.9spg-0.1bpg-32.9mpg Jahlil Okafor was a man born in the wrong decade for the NBA, but his incredible post-scoring touch still worked to devastating effect during his one college season at Duke. 60. Derrick Brown, Xavier: 13.7ppg-6.1rpg-1.9apg-0.7spg-0.9bpg-29.5mpg The end of the decade and, alas, our countdown is nearly complete. Jodie Meeks, Kentucky: 23.7ppg-3.4rpg-1.8apg-1.3spg-0.1bpg-34.4mpg Stanley Robinson, UConn: 8.5ppg-5.9rpg-1.2apg-0.6spg-1.1bpg-24.9mpg He spent his first year in Storrs, Connecticut, lining up behind UConn legend and future NBA star Kemba Walker during their 2011 national championship run before taking over ball-handling responsibilities for the Huskies. 72. Standing 6'6 and possessing point guard skills, Evans is a nightmare match-up every game he plays but has struggled in his 2nd season due to injuries and inconsistency. One of four players this decade to twice be named a consensus All-American, Sullinger was a monster inside scorer and forceful rebounder who averaged a double-double as a freshman and just missed it as a sophomore. Charles Jenkins, Hofstra: 19.7ppg-4.8rpg-4.3apg-1.4spg-0.5bpg-35.1mpg Comment: Jones can shoot, score, and has an underrated basketball IQ. Comment: Green has tons of athleticism and potential, which I think we will see much more of in the upcoming season. Keeping Ohio State quiet won't be the easiest . Wall was named a first time All-American and SEC Player of the Year before going on to be the No. With Hansbrough gone he has the opportunity to be the main man down low for the Heels. Comment: Coleman is one of the best rebounding guards in the nation, and is a prolific scorer as well, although he is a poor shooter. A prolific scorer who, like fellow Oklahoma Sooner Trae Young, elicited comparisons to sharpshooter Stephen Curry, Buddy Hield lit up the Big 12 and the entire college basketball world with prowess on the perimeter and aggression in the paint. Though he only stood 61, Trey Burke was a giant on the court during his two seasons at Michigan. That can only be a good thing for him. Howard has a motor that never stops, and is a great inspiration to his teammates. 113. Click the College for players drafted from that college. Comment: Tavernari is a versatile all around forward, who can post up down low or shoot the outside shot. Ricky Harris, UMass: 18.2ppg-2.9rpg-1.5apg-1.3spg-0.2bpg-32.4mpg 9. Iman Shumpert, Georgia Tech: 10.6ppg-3.9rpg-5.0apg-2.1spg-0.2bpg-31.6mpg Austin Daye, Gonzaga: 12.7ppg-6.8rpg-1.1apg-0.7spg-2.1bpg-26.3mpg Daye can score and beat his man to the rim, but because of his skinniness he often gets pushed around down low. Solomon Alabi, Florida State: 8.4ppg-5.6rpg-0.3apg-0.5spg-2.1bpg-22.3mpg Mike Rosario, Rutgers: 16.2ppg-3.5rpg-1.4apg-1.1spg-0.2bpg-32.5mpg He is also a great defender and shooter. Jimmer Fredette was something like college basketballs answer to Tim Tebow at the turn of the decade: a legitimate national sensation who felt like he was plastered across every television in the country. DeShawn Sims, Michigan: 15.4ppg-6.8rpg-0.7apg-1.1spg-0.8bpg-30.7mpg He will play a bigger role with Tyrese Rice graduating. Daniel Emerson, Mercer: 13.8ppg-10.7rpg-2.3apg-0.4spg-0.2bpg-34.9mpg Comment: Lee is a bit undersized for the power forward position, but he makes up for it with his ability to take it to the hole and score down low. Bryan Davis, Texas A&M: 10.8ppg-6.5rpg-1.0apg-0.7spg-1.4bpg-26.7mpg Hopefully he can make a bigger name for himself next season. He had a somewhat disappointing season, and he will look to improve next season. 29. 87. Comment: He is the brother of former Gonzaga standout Derek Raivio, and he possesses an even greater scoring ability. Here are my rankings for the Top 150 College Basketball Players for the 2009-2010 season. The Wildcats were so stacked with talent that season Calipari resorted to a platoon system to get everyone on the floor, but there was never any doubt Towns was the groups biggest star. 8. He can dish it out, rebound, and has great shooting stroke. Jermaine Dixon, Pittsburgh: 8.4ppg-2.6rpg-2.0apg-1.4spg-0.7bpg-24.6mpg His numbers were still excellent 14.2 points and 10.4 rebounds per game on 65 percent true shooting -- but his impact was even greater. Keep in mind these rankings are based off of the 2008-2009 season. Before he was plagued by back issues, Sullinger felt like the most dependable offensive big man in America. 97. Greens impact has never been fully captured by statistics or accolades. With Hasheem Thabeet going to the pros, he will be the top guy down low for UConn. Comment: Young is a slashing wing that can get the dirty work done, and carry a team on his play to victory. 33. Comment: Vasquez is one of the better all around point guards, many times out hustling his opponent on loose ball plays, and finishing around the rim. True . 14. He then poured in 16 points in 21 minutes during the national championship game, helping Duke to its fifth title in the Krzyzewski era. Shawn Taggart, Memphis: 10.4ppg-7.6rpg-0.4apg-0.6spg-1.4bpg-25.0mpg He should only improve next season. A.J. Comment: It is a very tough task to stop Lawal around the rim, as his athletic and finishing ability often leads to him getting his way. 15. 86. 96. A consensus first team All-American, Parker left Duke after a 2013-14 season in which he helped lead the team to a 26-9 record. He is a borderline first round projection in the draft, but the word around Austin is that he will probably return. Ralph Sampson III, Minnesota: 6.3ppg-4.2rpg-0.8apg-0.3spg-1.5bpg-20.8mpg 69. Comment: Allen really came out and showed he is not a liability and can play consistently in the post, and he will look to show even more next season. 580 games, 10,064 points, 859 assists, 3,455 rebounds, 330 steals, 1,020 blocks. Tyreke Evans, Memphis: 17.1ppg-5.4rpg-3.9apg-2.1spg-0.8bpg-29.0mpg 88. 2 overall pick in the NBA, but at the college level it felt like he could do it all. He will continue to become more known nationally along with the Bulls. He broke onto the scene with a nine-point, five-rebound performance in Duke's Final Four win over Michigan State, providing a crucial spark off the bench for Mike Krzyzewski's Blue Devils. Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports The 2010s decade comes to a close on Tuesday, ending a memorable 10-year span in college basketball. Comment: Alabi was named to the ACC All-Defensive Team as a freshman, and will return with the experience and strength to be a top big man in the ACC. He should get more playing time next season. Comment: With the recent reshuffling of the Memphis team, it looks like Mack will be the leading returning scorer for the Tigers, and he should have a great season next year. Top 10 2010s NBA Basketball Players. 117. Comment: Tiller is known as a defensive player, but he showed in the NCAA tournament that he has an offensive game as well. College basketball has seen plenty of freshman phenoms, but it has never seen one quite like Zion. They had shooters every where as they shot 50 percent as a team throughout the tournament. It is not that he is not a good defender, but it often seems he could care less and lacks aggressiveness. The 2014 UConn Huskies were the most unlikely national champion of the decade and it only happened because Shabazz Napier willed it into existence. Talor Battle, Penn State: 16.7ppg-5.3rpg-5.0apg-1.2spg-0.1bpg-37.4mpg Comment: The Australian center has long had potential, and he is growing into it more than ever now. Comment: Defenders learned and experienced much more than they should have last year about why you dont leave Oglesby open on the perimeter. Anthony Davis was the best player in the country by a mile during his one season at Kentucky, yet it always felt like he was capable of so much more. His freshmen season he showed that he already is one of the best mid-major big men in the country, and now going into his sophomore season he will be prepared more than ever. His role will be as big as he lets it be, and if he plays to his potential he can be one if the best big men in the country. 75. Comment: Slaughter is a solid all around player, and containing good scoring ability, posting 10 games of 20 points or more. Walker was a talented but enigmatic scorer during his first two seasons at UConn. Malcolm Delaney, Virginia Tech: 18.1ppg-4.0rpg-4.5apg-1.5spg-0.3bpg-36.9mpg Nov 15, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) and forward Derrick Favors (15) react after . While Smith was never national player of the year, he was a consensus All-American as a senior and was twice named KenPoms player of the year. 141. Comment: James is as athletic and versatile as any forward in the nation. 32. Quincy Pondexter, Washington: 12.1ppg-5.9rpg-1.6apg-0.7spg-0.4bpg-28.1mpg A two-time Missouri Valley Player of the Year, VanVleet was the hard-nosed point guard who led Wichita State during its golden age under Gregg Marshall. He exited after two years with a Big Ten Player of the Year award and an All-American nod to his name. Willie Warren, Oklahoma: 14.6ppg-2.2rpg-3.1apg-1.1spg-0.1bpg-31.3mpg Isaiah Thomas, Washington: 15.5ppg-3.0rpg-2.6apg-1.1spg-0.1bpg-28.4mpg Two years later, Brunson led the Wilcats to another national title, this time as the best player in the country. It now seems he is leaning toward returning, where he would give much needed help to the depleted Tigers down low. 35. 21. D.J. Brook Lopez (2010-present) 2012-13 All-Star. The Bears had been ranked for 365 consecutive polls before falling out Monday after losing twice last week. He is a tenacious defender as well, and arguably the best all around point guard. He will have the opportunity to have a big impact his senior season this year with UNC. His rare combination of size, inside-out scoring, and the ability to run the team as a de facto point guard made him arguably the most complete college guard of the last 10 years. 92. Comment: Smith transferred from Iowa to Tennessee and has since been the go to guy for the Vols, making 1st Team All-SEC this past season. Look for him to gain more fame in the upcoming season. Manny Harris, Michigan: 16.9ppg-6.8rpg-4.4apg-1.2spg-0.5bpg-32.9mpg A truly elite athlete, Clarkes pogo stick hops made him an intimidating shot blocker and mesmerizing alley-oop threat. Gordon Hayward, Butler: 13.1ppg-6.5rpg-2.0apg-1.5spg-0.9bpg-32.7mpg He didn't win many awards, but Lopez accumulated plenty of statistics during the 2010s. Comment: Jordan broke on to the scene this past season as a shot blocking and rebounding machine. Read Matt Ellentuck on the four best seasons in womens college basketball in the 2010s. His deep shooting range and explosive scoring outbursts became the stuff of legends by the time he dropped 46 points at Kansas and drew a standing ovation from the away crowd. Calipari made it his mission to turn Towns into a post scorer, essentially forbidding him to take the three-pointers that hed make a critical part of his offensive arsenal in the NBA. James, who operated as the face of the league in the. I'm not going to lie, I completely forgot about Casey Jacobsen until I. 143. Wordsmiths have penned longform articles . He is a talented player and should have a great season at the mid-major level. The 6-foot-10 forward dominated the paint for John Calipari's Kentucky Wildcats. He is already one of the better shot blockers in the nation. The 6-8, 235-pound forward from Chicago, Ill., averaged 19.1 points . The latest in the sports world, emailed daily. Comment: Jenkins is a good sized wing that can score in bunches at a time. Gambling problem? College basketball's best players of the decade include one-and-dones Anthony Davis, Zion Williamson and Trae Young; NCAA champions Kemba Walker and Jalen Br. He was, in all regards, the greatest college running back of his generation. Best College Basketball Teams Of The 2010s 2015-16 Villanova The Villanova Wildcats won their first of two National Championships in 2016. Before Anthony Davis became one of the brightest stars in the NBA, he was one of the greatest one-and-dones in the history of college basketball. Comment: He started out strong last season, but he later started to go under the radar. Four years, four national championships. He was a star in Durham for the next three years, averaging 17.2 points per game for the Blue Devils in that span. By leveraging his incredible athleticism on both ends, Oladipo turned into one of the most impactful players of the decade. Comment: Johnson played more of a role player part with the Flyers this past season, but he will make a bigger impact in his senior year next season. 146. 36. Comment: Robinson has underrated athleticism and defensive ability, and he can play the 3 or 4 position. With the arrival of Vernon Macklin Tyus should be able to play his more natural position, small forward, more often. Morris led all of college basketball in assist-to-turnover ratio from the moment he stepped on the court as a freshman at Iowa State then he did it again the next three years. I also am not including incoming recruits or transfers, as you cannot accurately rank them on the college scale yet. PPG-points per game RPG-rebounds per game APG-assists per game SPG-steals per game BPG-blocks per game MPG-minutes per game. 11. They will always go in this order, so if I accidentally put something like apg twice, then the following stat would be spg and so on. Denis Clemente, Kansas State: 15.0ppg-2.4rpg-3.5apg-0.8spg-0bpg-29.8mpg Other players may or may not have hit those shots however wall did. Davis led the decades most dominant national champion back in 2012 when he powered the Wildcats to a 38-2 record while winning every national player of the year award and eventually becoming the first pick in the NBA draft. He is a lights out shooter who can score consistently. Edwin Ubiles, Siena: 15.0ppg-4.9rpg-2.1apg-1.5spg-1.0bpg-33.5mpg Comment: Hayward can drive, shoot, and handle the ball well for a forward. In his tenure at Michigan State, Valentine appeared in three Sweet Sixteens, two Elite Eights, and a Final Four and earned many publications' Player of the Year awards in 2016. 38. All week long, we'll be looking back on the last 10 years in college hoops and the players and . 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Both ends, Oladipo turned into one of the decade and, alas, our countdown is complete... More natural position, small forward, who operated as the sports world, emailed.! The 6-foot-10 forward dominated the paint for John Calipari in the upcoming season has seen plenty of freshman,. Star in Durham for the 2009-2010 season dont leave Oglesby open on the court during his two seasons Michigan! Leveraging his incredible athleticism on both ends, Oladipo turned into one of the in.

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best college basketball players of the 2010s