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The best college basketball players of the last decade are ...
Jimmer Fredette (2007-11)
Jimmer Fredette played four seasons at BYU. During his senior season, he averaged 28 points per game and was named the 2011 Naismith Player of the Year. Fredette (32) drives to the basket in front of Texas Christian's J.R. Cadot in the second half at Daniel-Meyer Coliseum in Fort Worth, Texas, on Saturday, Feb. 19, 2011.
Kemba Walker (2008-11)
Kemba Walker led the UConn Huskies to the 2011 NCAA National Championship where they defeated Butler. Walker finished second to Jimmer Fredette for the Naismith Player of the Year award. Walker (15) celebrates at the end of a 56-55 victory over Kentucky in the second game of the men's NCAA Final Four semifinals at Reliant Stadium in Houston on Saturday April 2, 2011.
Brittney Griner (2009-13)
In 2012, Brittney Griner helped Baylor win the NCAA championship, won the Naismith Player of the Year award and blocked more total shots than any team in the country. Griner was also named the 2013 Naismith Player of the Year. Griner of Baylor passes the ball while under pressure from LaShawn Jones of Oklahoma State in the women's Big 12 basketball championship in Dallas on Sunday, March 10, 2013.
Shabazz Napier (2010-14)
Shabazz Napier led the UConn Huskies to the 2014 NCAA National Championship and was named the NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player. Napier (13) and his team react after winning the NCAA Tournament's East Regional final. The Connecticut Huskies defeated the Michigan State Spartans, 60-54, at Madison Square Garden in New York on Sunday, March 30, 2014.
Doug McDermott (2010-14)
During Doug McDermott’s senior season at Creighton, he averaged 27 points and seven rebounds per game and won the Naismith Player of the Year award. McDermott (3) makes a spin move to the hoop against Georgetown forward Mikael Hopkins (3) in the first half at the Verizon Center in Washington on Wednesday, March 4, 2014.
Megan Gustafson (2015-19)
Iowa’s Megan Gustafson is one of the best women’s basketball players in Big Ten Conference history. Gustafson was a 23-time Big Ten Player of the Week, which is a current conference record. During her senior season in 2018-19, Gustafson had an NCAA record 33 double-doubles and was named the Naismith Player of the Year. Maryland guard Kaila Charles (5) defends Gustafson (10) at the Xfinity Center on Jan. 4, 2018 in College Park, Md.
Anthony Davis (2011-12)
Anthony Davis played only one season at Kentucky but made it count. Davis won the NABC Defensive Player of the Year award and the Naismith Player of the Year award while leading the Wildcats to the 2012 NCAA Championship. Davis was named the 2012 NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player. Davis helps cut down the nets following a 67-59 win over Kansas in the NCAA Tournament finals at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on Monday, April 2, 2012, in New Orleans.
Buddy Hield (2012-16)
In 2015-16, Buddy Hield averaged 25 points per game while leading Oklahoma to its first Final Four appearance since 2002. Hield went on to win the Naismith Player of the Year award. Down by two points, Oklahoma's Hield (24) puts up a half-court shot that went in as time expired against West Virginia on Friday, March 11, 2016, during the semifinals of the Big 12 Tournament at Sprint Center in Kansas City, Mo. The shot was ruled to have left Hield's hands at 0.0 and was disallowed.
Breanna Stewart (2012-16)
Breanna Stewart was one of the most dominant women's college basketball players of the decade. During her four years at UConn, Stewart had an amazing 151-5 record and won four consecutive NCAA Championships. Steward also won three straight Naismith Player of the Year awards from 2014 to 2016. Stewart looks for room around the defense of Oregon State's Jamie Weisner in the second half in an NCAA Tournament semifinal at the Bankers Life Arena in Indianapolis on Sunday, April 3, 2016. UConn advanced, 80-51.
Denzel Valentine (2012-16)
Even though Denzel Valentine’s senior season at Michigan State ended with a first-round knockout in the 2016 NCAA Tournament, he still had one of the best individual season performances of the decade. Valentine averaged 19 points, eight assists and seven rebounds per game and was named the 2016 Associated Press Player of the Year. Valentine looks to pass through the Middle Tennessee State defensein the first round of the NCAA Tournamet on Friday, March 18, 2016, at Scottrade Center in St. Louis.
Kelsey Plum (2013-17)
Kelsey Plum was a scoring machine during her four years at Washington. During her senior season, Plum averaged 31 points per game and became the 12th NCAA Division I women’s player to reach 3,000 career points. Plum also broke the NCAA women’s college basketball free throw record with 912 made free throws in her college career. Plum (10) puts in two of her 23 points against Kentucky in the third round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday, March 25, 2016, at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Ky.
Frank Mason (2013-17)
During his senior season at Kansas, Frank Mason was named the 2017 Naismith Player of the Year while averaging 20 points and five assists per game. Mason tracks down a loose ball from UC Davis' Siler Schneider during the first half in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday, March 17, 2017, at the Bank of Oklahoma Center in Tulsa, Okla.
Jalen Brunson (2015-18)
Jalen Brunson was a two-time NCAA champion at Villanova as he was part of the Wildcats’ title teams in 2016 and 2018. During his junior season Brunson won the 2018 Naismith Player of the Year award, averaging 19 points and five assists per game. Michigan forward Moritz Wagner (13) and guard Zavier Simpson (3) pressure Brunson (1) during the NCAA national championship game between Michigan and Villanova on Monday, April 2, 2018, at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.
Grayson Allen (2014-18)
Grayson Allen’s career at Duke started strong when he scored 16 points off the bench in the 2015 NCAA Championship game. Allen played four seasons at Duke, earning first-team All-ACC honors in 2016 when he averaged 21 points and five rebounds per game. Allen, front, and Kansas' Devonte' Graham chase down a loose ball on March 25, 2018, in the NCAA Midwest Region Final in Omaha, Neb.
Kris Jenkins (2013-17)
Kris Jenkins will forever be known as the Villanova player who hit the game-winning 3-point buzzer beater against North Carolina in the 2016 NCAA Championship game. Jenkins looks to make a move against Seton Hall in the first half dring the semifinals of the Big East Tournament at Madison Square Garden in New York on Friday, March 10, 2017.
Maya Moore (2007-11)
During Maya Moore’s four seasons at UConn, the Huskies only lost four games. Moore finished her college career with two NCAA Championships and two Naismith Player of the Year awards. She is currently fourth all-time in NCAA Division I women’s basketball history with 3,036 points scored. Moore reacts after they gained the lead against Georgetown during first-half action in the Sweet 16 of the women's NCAA basketball tournament at the Liacouras Center on Sunday, March 27, 2011 in Philadelphia.
Trae Young (2017-18)
Trae Young made the most of his one season at Oklahoma. Young averaged 27 points and nine assists per game, which earned him a spot on the consensus first-team All-American in 2018. Young, right, struggles to drive by Oklahoma State's Matt Freeman during the second half of a Big 12 Tournament first-round game at the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Mo., on Wednesday, March 7, 2018. OSU advanced, 71-60.
Frank Kaminsky (2011-15)
During Frank Kaminsky’s senior season at Wisconsin, he averaged 19 points and eight rebounds per game and won the Naismith Player of the Year award. Kaminsky (44) reacts after drawing an offensive foul during the first half of the NCAA National Championship game on Monday, April 6, 2015, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Zion Williamson (2018-19)
Naismith Player of the Year award by averaging 22 points, nine rebounds and two blocks per game. Williamson (1) glides to the basket for a dunk in the opening minutes of play against Syracuse in the quarterfinals of the ACC Tournament at the Specturm Center in Charlotte, N.C., on Thursday, March 14, 2019.
A’Ja Wilson (2014-18)
A’Ja Wilson led South Carolina to the 2017 NCAA Championship and earned the NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player award for her performance. Wilson was also a three-time consensus first-team All-American from 2016 to 2018. Wilson (22) makes a face after cutting off a piece of the net after the 67-55 win over Mississippi State in the NCAA Women's Basketball Championship on Sunday, April 2, 2017 at American Airlines Center in Dallas.
Trey Burke (2011-13)
Trey Burke had an action-packed sophomore season at Michigan. Burke led the Wolverines to the NCAA Championship game, which they lost to Louisville, and earned the Naismith Player of the Year award by averaging 18 points and seven assists per game. Burke (3) of the Michigan Wolverines drives in the first half against Briante Weber (2) of the Virginia Commonwealth Rams during the third round of the 2013 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at The Palace of Auburn Hills on March 23, 2013 in Auburn Hills, Mich.
Evan Turner (2007-10)
Evan Turner earned the Naismith Player of the Year award in 2010 when he averaged 20 points, nine rebounds and six assists per game at Ohio State. Turner (21) celebrates after making a 3-point shot against Michigan to win a quarterfinal game at the Big Ten Conference Tournament at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana, March 12, 2010. Ohio State beat Michigan, 69-68.
John Wall (2009-10)
John Wall was a freshman phenom at Kentucky in the 2009-10 season, earning consensus first-team All-American honors. Wall averaged 16 points, six assists and two steals per game during his lone college basketball season. Wall, center, secures the ball in traffic during first-half action against West Virginia in the NCAA East Regional at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse, N.Y., on Saturday, March 27, 2010.
Thomas Robinson (2009-12)
Thomas Robinson sprung onto the college basketball scene during his junior season at Kansas in 2011-12. Robinson was a consensus first-team All-American, averaging 18 points and 12 rebounds per game, and led the Jayhawks to the 2012 NCAA Championship game. Robinson (0) of Kansas goes in for a shot against Kentucky in the NCAA Tournament finals at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on Monday, April 2, 2012, in New Orleans, Louisiana. Kentucky prevailed, 67-59, for its first NCAA title since 1998.
Skylar Diggins (2009-13)
Notre Dame’s Skylar Diggins is one of six NCAA Division I women’s basketball players to compile 2,000 points, 500 rebounds, 500 assists and 300 steals during her career. Diggins was a two-time first-team All-American in the 2011-12 and 2012-13 seasons. Diggins, left, steals the ball away from Kansas' Cece Harper during Sunday's NCAA women's basketball regional semifinal on March 31, 2013, at the Ted Constant Center in Norfolk, Va.
Draymond Green (2008-12)
During Draymond Green’s senior season at Michigan State, he averaged 16 points and 10 rebounds per game and earned a spot on the 2012 consensus All-American first team. Green grabs a defensive rebound in the first half against Louisville in the NCAA Tournament's West Region at the US Airways Center in Phoenix, on Thursday, March 22, 2012.
Caleb Swanigan (2015-17)
Caleb Swanigan averaged 18 points and 13 rebounds per game and earned first-team All-American honors during his sophomore season at Purdue. Swanigan, left, looks for a passing lane against Ohio State's Jae'Sean Tate in the first half at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2017.
Grant Williams (2016-19)
During his junior season at Tennessee in 2019, Grant Williams averaged 19 points and eight rebounds per game and earned first-team All-American honors. North Carolina's Kenny Williams (24) drives to the basket against Tennessee's Williams (2) in the second half Sunday, Dec. 11, 2916 at the Smith Center in Chapel Hill, N.C. The Tar Heels won 73-71.
Josh Hart (2013-17)
Josh Hart led Villanova to the 2016 NCAA Championship. During the 2016-17 season, Hart averaged 19 points and six rebounds per game and earned first-team All-American honors. Hart goes to the basket against Seton Hall in the semifinals of the Big East Tournament at Madison Square Garden in New York on Friday, March 10, 2017.
Ja Morant (2017-19)
During his sophomore season, Ja Morant averaged 24 points and 10 assists per game. Morant is the only player in Murray State history to earn first-team All-American honors. Morant (12) defends Florida State's M.J. Walker (23) during the second round of the NCAA Tournament at XL Center in Hartford, Conn., on Saturday, March 23, 2019. Florida State advanced, 90-62.
Gordon Hayward (2008-10)
Gordon Hayward led Butler to their first NCAA Championship game in 2010 when the Bulldogs lost to Duke. During that 2009-2010 season, Hayward averaged 15 points and eight rebounds per game. Hayward of Butler (20) goes up against Duke's Brian Zoubek (55) and Kyle Singler, back, during the second half of the NCAA Final Four championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, on Monday, April 5, 2010.
Jared Sullinger (2010-12)
Jared Sullinger averaged 17 points and nine rebounds per game during his sophomore season at Ohio State and earned first-team All-American honors. Sullinger is double-teamed by Jeff Withey, left, and Thomas Robinson of Kansas in the NCAA Tournament semifinals at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans on Saturday, March 31, 2012.
Jahlil Okafor (2014-15)
During Jahlil Okafor’s lone season at Duke, he averaged 17 points and eight rebounds per game and earned first-team All-American honors. Okafor (15) cuts the net after Duke's 68-63 victory over Wisconsin in the NCAA National Championship game on Monday, April 6, 2015, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Victor Oladipo (2010-13)
Victor Oladipo became a first-team All-American during his junior season at Indiana, averaging 13 points, six rebounds and two steals per game. Oladipo (4), center, goes to the floor for the ball between Syracuse center Baye Keita (12) and Syracuse forward C.J. Fair (5) in the first half of an NCAA Tournament East Regional semifinal at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C., Thursday, March 28, 2013.
Russ Smith (2010-14)
During Russ Smith’s junior season, he led Louisville to the 2013 NCAA Championship and was a first-team All-American. Smith (2) drives past Kentucky's James Young (1) in the NCAA Tournament's Midwest Region semifinal at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Friday, March 28, 2014.
Cody Zeller (2011-13)
Cody Zeller averaged 16 points and eight rebounds per game during his sophomore season at Indiana. Zeller’s performance earned him second-team All-American honors. Zeller (40) puts a spin move to the hoop against Syracuse center Baye Keita (12), back, and Syracuse guard Brandon Triche (20) in the second half of an NCAA Tournament East Regional semifinal at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C., Thursday, March 28, 2013.
Nolan Smith (2007-11)
Nolan Smith led Duke to the 2011 NCAA Championship and was a first-team All-American. During the 2010-2011 season, Smith averaged 21 points and five assists per game. Smith (2) smiles as the buzzer sounds at the end of Blue Devils' game against Michigan during the third round of the men's NCAA basketball tournament at Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, March 20, 2011.
Andrew Wiggins (2013-14)
Before Andrew Wiggins became the first overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, he was a standout freshman at Kansas. During his lone season with the Jayhawks, Wiggins averaged 17 points and six rebounds per game and earned second-team All-American honors. Wiggins dunks over Texas' Johnathan Holmes during the second half on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2014, at Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence, Kan. Kansas won, 85-54.
Elena Delle Donne (2009-13)
During Elena Delle Donne’s four seasons at Delaware, she was a three-time All-American and finished her career as the fifth all-time leading scorer in NCAA Division I women’s basketball history with 3,039 points. Delle Donne (11) works against Kentucky's Azia Bishop during the first half of their NCAA Tournament East Region Sweet 16 game on Saturday, March 30, 2013, at the Webster Bank Arena at Harbor Yard in Bridgeport, Conn.
Kyle Guy (2016-19)
Kyle Guy led Virginia to their first NCAA Championship in 2019 and was named the NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player. During the 2018-19 season, Guy averaged 15 points and five rebounds per game and earned first-team All-ACC honors. Guy (5) smiles as he finished cutting his part of the net after winning against Texas Tech 85-87 in overtime on April 8, 2019 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
