Wilt Chamberlain: 1957 Most Outstanding Player
Whether you called Chamberlain the “Big Dipper” or “The Stilt”, he was truly a man playing amongst boys from an early age. Often criticized for not winning as many titles (college/pro) as others, Chamberlain’s accolades and accomplishments are still some of the most impressive in NCAA/NBA history.
36 points, 22 rebounds vs. Southern Methodist University
30 points, 15 rebounds vs. Oklahoma City
32 points, 11 rebounds vs. San Francisco
23 points, 14 rebounds vs. North Carolina
Elgin Baylor: 1958 Most Outstanding Player
Elgin Baylor’s name may no longer come up in our current, revisionist-inspired sports conversation, but basketball fans over the age of 40 will assure you of his all-around greatness. As a player, he was the perfect blend of speed, power, and athleticism. Baylor did much of what we commend some of the well-rounded players of today, but at only 6’5″.
35 points, 14 rebounds vs. San Francisco
26 points, 18 rebounds vs. California
23 points, 22 rebounds vs. Kansas St.
25 points, 19 rebounds vs. Kentucky
Next Page: The Logo & Hazzard
Jerry West: 1959 Most Outstanding Player
While the story/stance may vary about how Jerry West became “The Logo”, no one questions whether West should be mentioned amongst the greatest to ever play. From his days as a star at the University of West Virginia, West established himself as a “gamer” and one of the most hard-nosed competitors the game has seen.
[GET $5 FREE WHEN YOU ENTER EARLY FOR SPORTSBOOK’S $100,000 BRACKET CHALLENGE]There’s a reason why Kobe Bryant has always recognized West as a mentor and someone he’s looked up to. As ESPN LA’s Max Kellerman often says, “game recognize game.”
25 points, 15 rebounds, 5 assists vs. Dartmouth
36 points, 15 rebounds, 1 assist vs. St. Joseph’s
33 points, 17 rebounds, 3 assists vs. Boston University (Even hated “Boston” back then…)
38 points, 15 rebounds vs. Louisville
28 points, 11 rebounds vs. California
Walt Hazzard: 1964 Most Outstanding Player
On the surface level, Walt Hazzard’s numbers may not be as impressive as others, but you have to remember Gail Goodrich and Keith Erickson were also on that UCLA team. Before the era of “super-teams” (as we know them), Hazzard’s Bruins (led by John Wooden) would have definitely fit that description.
26 points, 7 rebounds vs. Seattle
23 points, 3 rebounds vs. San Francisco
19 points, 7 rebounds, 9 assists vs. Kansas St.
11 points, 8 assists vs. Duke
Next Page: The Greatest College Basketball Player of All Time
I shouldn’t have to do any “selling” on Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, as I think the numbers say as much as anything I could. That’s said, Abdul-Jabbar (then Lew Alcindor) may just be the most dominant force the college (and pro) game has truly ever seen. Abdul-Jabbar had the unprecedented mix of massive size (7’2″), agility, and skill that overwhelmed the college game so much that is rumored they outlawed the slam dunk in an effort to limit his scoring ability. Fortunate enough for his Bruins, Abdul-Jabbar had plenty of tools left in his arsenal, and led the team to an 88-2 record while winning three national titles during that stretch.
[GET $5 FREE WHEN YOU ENTER EARLY FOR SPORTSBOOK’S $100,000 BRACKET CHALLENGE]1967
29 points, 10 rebounds vs. Wyoming
38 points, 14 rebounds vs. Pacific
19 points, 20 rebounds vs. Houston
20 points, 18 rebounds vs Dayton
1968
28 points, 23 rebounds vs. New Mexico State
22 points, 18 rebounds vs. Santa Clara
19 points, 18 rebounds vs. Houston
34 points, 16 rebounds vs. North Carolina
1969
16 points, 16 rebounds vs. New Mexico St.
17 points, 7 rebounds vs. Santa Clara
25 points, 21 rebounds vs. Drake
37 points, 20 rebounds vs. Purdue
Next Page: Magic & Big Game
The world, let alone the college game had never seen a 6’9″ player with the skill set and playmaking ability of anyone like Earvin “Magic” Johnson . Johnson only attended Michigan St. for two years, but left a lasting impression on the history of the college game in that short period of time. His career-long rivalry with Larry Bird found its roots during the 1979 NCAA National Title Game.
[GET $5 FREE WHEN YOU ENTER EARLY FOR SPORTSBOOK’S $100,000 BRACKET CHALLENGE]13 points, 10 assists, 17 rebounds vs. Lamar
24 points, 12 assists, 5 rebounds vs LSU
19 points, 13 assists, 5 rebounds vs. Notre Dame
29 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists vs. Pennsylvania
24 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists vs. Indiana St. (Larry Bird)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqEZXY-oQCw
James Worthy: 1982 Most Outstanding Player
Much like Walt Hazzard, some of Worthy’s numbers won’t impress you. I’ll remind you he was playing with Sam Perkins and some kid named Michael Jordan on that Tar Heel roster. Much like in the NBA, Worthy’s brilliance was in being able to adapt and adjust his game according to the needs of the team, and (as you’ll see from the numbers) saved his best for the biggest moments. You don’t get the nickname “Big Game James” simply by chance.
15 points, 4 rebounds vs. James Madison
16 points, 8 rebounds vs. Alabama
14 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists vs. Villanova
14 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists vs. Houston
28 points, 4 rebounds vs Georgetown
