Heavy debate from where I sit. Seeing as how this is "Basketball World" and not just "NBA world", thought I would get some college ball mixed in.Who, in your opinion, is the best college basketball player EVER. In my mind, there should only be 2 players in this debate. But I will post my opinions later.
I think I know both the players your thinking of. Pete Maravich was phenominal at LSU.<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Three-year letter winner (1967-70)The Sporting News College Player of the Year (1970)Naismith Award Winner (1970)The Sporting News All-America First Team (1968, 1969, 1970)Three-time AP and UPI First-Team All-America (1968, 1969, 1970)Holds NCAA career record for most points (3,667, 44.2 ppg, three-year career) in 83 gamesHolds NCAA career record for highest points per game average (44.2 ppg)Holds NCAA record for most field goals made (1,387) and attempted (3,166)Holds NCAA record for most free throws made (893) and attempted (1,152)Holds NCAA record for most games scoring at least 50 points (28)Holds NCAA single-season record for most points (1,381) and highest per game average (44.5 ppg) in 1970Holds NCAA single-season record for most field goals made (522) and atempted (1,168) in 1970Holds NCAA single-season record for most games scoring at least 50 points (10) in 1970Holds NCAA single-game record for most free throws made (30 of 31) against Oregon State on Dec. 22, 1969Led the NCAA Division I in scoring with 43.8 ppg (1968); 44.2 (1969) and 44.5 ppg (1970)The 44.5 ppg average ranks best in NCAA history; 44.2 ppg (fourth); 43.8 ppg (fifth)Averaged 43.6 ppg on the LSU freshman team (1967)Scored a career-high 69 points vs. Alabama (Feb. 7, 1970); 66 vs. Tulane (Feb. 10, 1969); 64 vs. Kentucky (Feb. 21, 1970); 61 vs. Vanderbilt (Dec. 11, 1969); Holds LSU records for most field goals in a game (26) against Vanderbilt on Jan. 29, 1969 and attempted (57) against VanderbiltAll-Southeastern Conference (1968, 1969, 1970)In 1988, Louisiana Governor Buddy Roemer signed legislation changing the official name of LSU's home court to the Maravich Assembly CenterIn 1970, Maravich led LSU to a 20-8 record and a third place finish in the NIT</div> and Bill Walton at UCLA<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>The Sporting News College Player of the Year (1972-74)Naismith Award winner (1972-74)The Sporting News All-America first team (1972-74)NCAA Division I Tournament Most Outstanding Player (1972-73)Member of NCAA Division I championship teams (1972-73)Holds NCAA tournament career record for highest field goal percentage (minimum of 60 made)?68.6 percent, 109 of 159 (1972-74)Holds NCAA tournament single-season record of highest field-goal percentage (minimum of 40 made)?76.3 percent, 45-of-59 (1973)Averaged 20.3 points and 15.7 rebounds per gameMember of UCLA team with record 88 straight winsWas the foundation of the only teams to record back-to-back 30-0 seasonsLed UCLA to 86-4 record during his three yearsScored 44 points on 21-of-22 shooting in 1973 NCAA tournament win over Memphis StateNamed All-State, All-American, All-Conference and Conference MVP three times (1967-70)Ranks first in career rebounding with 1,370 (15.7 average)Ranks second in field goal percentage (.651)Ranks third in career scoring average (20.3 ppg) and 10th in career points (1,767)Holds UCLA record for rebounds in a season (506 for a 16.9 average) and twice had 27, one shy of that record</div>
I would say the greatest college player of all-time is Lew Alcindor. not only did he score, but he won. something Maravich never did.
Kareem first, Bill Walton second.Don't forget:Magic Johnson at MSUTim Duncan at Wake ForestAll the Dukies and Tar Heels.
You guys have gotten one of the players I was thinking of in Pete Maravich. The other is Oscar Robertson. Guy averaged a triple-double throughout his college career.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Becar @ Oct 16 2006, 12:19 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>You guys have gotten one of the players I was thinking of in Pete Maravich. The other is Oscar Robertson. Guy averaged a triple-double throughout his college career.</div> Damn, forgot all about Robertson. At least I got Maravich, what a beast. :no1:
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (SunnyD @ Oct 12 2006, 09:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Kareem first, Bill Walton second.Don't forget:Magic Johnson at MSUTim Duncan at Wake ForestAll the Dukies and Tar Heels.</div>Wow, you dont even mention Maravich? :no1: It's Pistol Pete. He averaged like 42 ppg in college. That's unbelievable.
I'd say Bill Walton and Maravich based on an individual performances. But one intersting nominee for this would have to be Christian Laettner, he holds the record for most games played, most points scored, most free throws made/attempted, in the NCAA tournement. He is also the only player ever to start in four final fours.
This next guy's college career wasnt phenominal like the rest of these guys but how about Len Bias? He was so dominant when he played and when in college, he looked like he was at least on the same level as MJ. IM not saying he would have been as good as Jordan in the pro's, but during college, Bias was the man.
I'm not saying he was the best, but he was up there and deserves consideration: Christian Laettner. He was a BIG TIME college player coming out of Duke, and had injuries not plagued his career I think he would have been a big time NBA star as well. He started off good, but then got screwed as his pro career went on due to injuries. But anyway, he was definitely an incredible player, and a clutch one, in college. Also, I know this doesn't determine a players' greatness, but who can forget "the shot?" http://youtube.com/watch?v=tZhao5FTprg
Melo?! he played one season.I can't believe how many people are forgettng Alcindors, Bill Russell was another one of the college greats. a few years ago they named the 100 greatest college players, I have the list on my website but here is the top 10.010 Jerry West West Virginia009 Elvin Hayes Houston008 Wilt Chamberlin Kansas007 David Thompson North Carolina State006 Larry Bird Indiana State005 Pete Maravich LSU004 Bill Russell San Francisco003 Oscar Robertson Cincinatti002 Bill Walton UCLA001 Lew Alcindor UCLA
Maravich and Robertson are 1 and 2. Maybe not in that order. But nobody had the college careers that they had. Maravich's ppg will never be matched. And im not so sure anyone will ever average a triple double for their career ever again.
Maravich is overrated though, if he were doing that in college right now he'd be panned by everyone for his team being unsuccessful and him taking all the shots. Oscar was pretty awesome. Interesting story on Oscar's recruitment...He had a meeting with Branch McCracken at IU on his visit (McCracken had just lost out on Wilt Chamberlain), and the first thing he told Oscar was something along the lines of "I hope you're not one of thoser players who wants money." Considering that Oscar was from Indianapolis, McCracken probably could have said anything but that and Oscar probably would have committed to IU instead of Cincy.Here's one that deserves mentioning purely for impact, Bill Garrett. First black person to play basketball in the Big Ten, and was an All-American when he left IU in 1951. THere's a great book on this called Getting Open: The Unknown Story of Bill Garrett and the Integration of College Basketball.
