When it comes to picking the “best ever” in sport, it’s always a tough decision. Still, it is harder in some cases than others. For example, picking the best NBA players of all-time is easier than picking the best college basketball players ever. We know the top 10 of the NBA, you just need to re-order for personal preference… college basketball is not so easy.
Still, we have decided to list some of the greatest players ever in college basketball. You may be thinking this will just means the all-time NBA greats like Michael Jordan, who used to play college hoops too. It’s not quite as simple as that, because while those all-time legends were also amazing in college, there were some pre-pro college players who were sensational and ultimately didn’t continue that form into the pro game.
Either way, let’s take a look at the best college basketball players of all-time.
Note: Some all-time legends like Magic Johnson and Larry Bird were also amazing in college, but not quite good enough to make our list.
Wilt Chamberlain (Kansas Jayhawks)
Wilt Chamberlain is one of the greatest basketball players of all-time, and he did it all. The NBA great also chalked up a sensational college career, as well as even becoming a Harlem Globetrotter. Before he conquered the NBA (he still holds a bunch of regular season records, including the only player to score 100 in a single game), Chamberlain played 48 college games and managed double-double numbers of 29.9 points per game and 18.3 rebounds per game.
Chamberlain was already displaying his unique charactiersitcs, stunning vertical leap, size, and mobility, even as a young player. During his first varsity game for Kansas, he drained 52 points and claimed 31 rebounds. He became a consensus All-American in both his college seasons, as well as becoming the Final Four MVP in 1957.
Oscar Robertson (Cinnicinatti Bearcats)
If you’re looking for a purely statistical analysis, Oscar Robertson is hard to beat. Over 88 games with the Bearcats he managed amazing numbers of 33.8 points per game, 15.2 rebounds per game, and 4.8 assists per game. Has any other college player in history produced those kinds of numbers?
Scorer, defender, and playmaker, Big O had it all. An all-round game contributor that saw him get Sporting News College Player of the Year and consensus All-American picks three consecutive years (1958-1960). With Cincy, he reach the Final Four of the NCAA Championship twice, but like Wilt Chamberlain could not secure a ring.
An excellent NBA career followed where Robertson became the first player to record a triple-double season, while being a 12-time All-Star and one time NBA MVP.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (formerly Lew Alcindor; UCLA Bruins)
One of the greatest basketball players of all-time and an NBA great, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was a tour de force in college. Comfortably the most dominant college player ever, he was bringing superior athleticism, hand skills, and team building attributes to NCCA games that has rarely been seen before. What sets Abdul-Jabber apart is not his numbers (although, 26.4 points per game and 15.5 rebounds per game is nothing to sniff at), but the way he was a player beyond his years while still being in college.
He was an NBA star ready-made, making him just steps above everyone else in NCAA games. During his time with the Bruins, he won just about every award and prize available. As a team, Abdul-Jabbar was the man that drove UCLA to three consecutive NCAA championships between 1967 and 1969. For his contributions, he claimed the Final Four Most Outstanding Player award for each of those championship wins.
Abdul-Jabbar also tool three first team All-American picks and was the National Player of the Year twice. Of course, he transitioned seamlessly into the NBA, where he become a multi-record-breaker during his spell with the LA Lakers. To this day, he holds records for the most MVPs (6), most All-Star picks (19), All-NBA selection (15), All-Defensive pick (11), as well as winning six NBA championships, and he remains the highest scorer in NBA history.
He may be the best player in history, in both the NCAA and NBA.
