Basketball has been around for less than 150 years. Yet, during this time, it has risen in status to become the most elite, popular, and most played sport in the world. Of course, basketball players have everything to do with it. One needs to have certain physical parameters, strength, and endurance to play this sport. Basketball stars are respected and well-known worldwide.
However, there seem to be not as many countries that treat basketball as seriously as the US. Starting from college, basketball plays a central role in young players’ lives. They are not yet professionals. But each one of these students will go on to make an astonishing career in professional sports after school. So let’s see who were the most famous and talented players in college basketball history.
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Elvin Hayes, Houston
First, let’s acknowledge that Elvin Hayes was the first African American player on an official Houston team. That alone is quite an achievement. However, surely Hayes didn’t stop there. He went on to become the 1968 Player of the Year, with his history of dominating the court during two seasons in the Final Four. He scored 25 points in eight games of the NCAA tournament and was fast to make a name for himself in basketball history.
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Christian Laettner, Duke
Christian Laettner has earned the reputation as one of the best American college athletes of all time. Surely, the stats are in his favor here. Laettner was the dominant force that brought Duke two national titles. This Duke’s star had everything - looks, fame, skills, unbreakable character, and determination to be the best. No surprise that after school, he went on to set a still-holding record of 407 career points, which is the highest anyone has ever scored.
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Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson, Michigan State
Earvin, or as everyone called him, Magic Johnson, was the leading college star in the late 1970s. He had it all - perfect height and physique, positive attitude, speed, and perfect reaction. He is still believed to be the best point guard in basketball college and professional history. Magic Johnson led his college team to a victory in the national championship. Such leadership and skills earned him the first pick in the 1979 draft.
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Ralph Sampson, Virginia
One look at Sampson was enough to spot a rising basketball star. It wasn’t just the height (which was impressive) but the determination in his eyes. Indeed, Ralph Sampson was always the dominant player on the court, regardless of who he played against. Everyone knew who was the main force on the college team. After all, Sampson won three National College Player of the year before graduating! Only one more person in history has won such a title more than twice.
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Larry Bird, Indiana State
Every great player needs a rival to meet him at the top. For Magic Johnson, it was Larry Bird. These two great basketball players dominated the professional basketball world in the 1980s, competing for being the best on the court. Being drafted after his second year in college, Bird chose to stay and led the team to the national championship.
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Bill Walton, UCLA
Bill Walton was the first person in basketball history to win three National College Player awards. Needless to say, in college tournaments, he was the force to reckon with from 1972 to 1974. This player helped win 88 games in a row for two years! Sure enough, after graduation, he was the first pick in the NBA draft. The rest is history.
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Wilt Chamberlain, Kansas
This center player blocked any attack attempt on the court. Just his size alone was enough to intimidate the opponent. Though, he had some moves, too. He was such a blocking force, that the offensive gameplay was never in the plan. His skills and talent weren’t unnoticed. The NCAA named him Most Outstanding Player. Chamberlain also was a two-time All-American player.
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Jerry West, West Virginia
Jerry West has earned many nicknames during his basketball career. He was impressive at everything he did on the field. Starting from college, he was the main scorer of the team. No one could beat him at his game. Scoring 25 points was the average stat for West during the NCAA tournament. He perfectly controlled the game, held his positions to the last second, and was perfect in clutch situations.
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Bill Russell, San Francisco
Bill Russell went into basketball history as an example of athleticism and skill. Russell could jump and run like no one of the time. Just his presence on the court was enough to pressure the opponent. His incredible strength and fitness abilities made him unbeatable on defense, giving his team perfect chances in NCAA tournaments.
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Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, UCLA
Who else could have taken this position other than Lew Alcindor, better known as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar? Averaging 26.4 points per game, this legendary player is openly accepted as the best college player ever. He also carries three titles of Naismith Player of the Year and three NCAA Champion titles. Frankly, it is easier to order a whole research paper on this legend at speedypaper.com than to squeeze all his achievements into a single paragraph.
