Ranking men's college basketball's top 25 players of the 2000s: Carmelo Anthony takes No. 1
That's the question I've asked myself in selecting the top 25 men's college basketball players of the last 25 years, an exercise that invites heated debate.
Of all sports, men's college basketball might be the most subjective given the wide range of experience. Some of the most impactful players were one-and-done; others stayed the full four years. How do you compare those two?
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Everyone has their list of criteria, just like every voter in end-of-season awards values something different. I care a lot about wins, and someone's ability to lift their team to new heights. For some programs, that means a national championship; for others, a trip to the Final Four. Maybe it means just breaking into the Top 25.
Timing matters, too. I didn't include players whose final year was 1999-2000. That's why you won't see Cincinnati's Kenyon Martin or Michigan State's Mateen Cleaves on this list.
Bottom line: This is not a math equation, and there's no 'right' answer. The margins were so thin that I even made room for a 26th player. This is my list — but I'd love to hear yours, too. Feel free to leave your list in the comments, or at least your top five. I'm also curious if you think I left someone obvious off the list.
Like I said, I'm looking forward to the debate.
Note: A few players on this list started their careers before 2000. Though we list their career stats, accomplishments before 2000-01 were not factored.
Williamson's career stats: 33 games, 22.6 ppg, 8.9 rpg, 2.1 apg, 68% FG, 33.8% 3FG
Flagg's career stats: 37 games, 19.2 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 4.2 apg, 48.1% FG, 38.5% 3FG
Is this cheating? Maybe. Williamson and Flagg's one-and-done careers mirror each other almost to a T. Both won national player of the year and national freshman of the year, a distinction that has gone to just two other players in the history of college hoops (Kevin Durant and Anthony Davis, who you'll see later). Neither won a national championship, though Flagg at least made the Final Four. Their allure is best summed up like this: If either of these guys were on TV, you were tuning in. Both are two of the only freshmen in NCAA history to tally 500 points, 50 steals and 50 blocks. Does either have a clear edge? If so, I couldn't find it.
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Career stats: 142 games, 14.8 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 1.8 apg, 56.2% FG
Confession: Though Kansas has been arguably the most consistent program of the last 25 years, no Jayhawk automatically jumped out as a 'must-rank' — a testament to the balanced teams Roy Williams and Bill Self built in Lawrence. The 2003 NABC national player of the year and a consensus All-American, Collison was an absolute monster in the paint. He graduated as the Big 12's all-time leading scorer, a mark that's since been surpassed, but his 2,097 career points still rank No. 7.
Career stats: 33 games, 26.2 ppg, 12.4 rpg, 1.2 apg, 53.2 FG%, 37.9% 3FG
Another one of the must-see TV guys, Beasley was a dominant scorer and rebounder in his only college season, and still holds the record for most double-doubles by a freshman (28). K-State fans loved his brash, cocky attitude: Before the season, he promised the Wildcats would beat perennial Big 12 champ Kansas, and then he backed it up, scoring 25 points in a win over KU in Manhattan.
Career stats: 139 games, 19.9 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 2.2 apg, 43.4% FG, 40.6% 3FG
Was anyone on this list more hated? Did anyone on this list care less about that? You might remember him as one of the most polarizing players in college hoops history, but you can't deny Redick's impact, particularly when it came to draining big-time shots. This was best exemplified during his senior year, when Redick poured in a career-high 41 points, including nine 3s, in No. 1 Duke's 97-66 throttling of No. 2 Texas. Redick is Duke's all-time leading scorer (2,769) and made the most 3s of any player in program history (457). The sharpshooter still holds the NCAA record for career free-throw percentage (minimum 600 makes) — 91.2 percent — as well.
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Career stats: 68 games, 18.8 ppg, 11.8 rpg, 2.1 apg, 61.8% FG, 30% 3FG
A one-man highlight reel known for rim-rattling dunks, Griffin led the nation in scoring and rebounding as a sophomore (22.7 points, 14.4 rebounds), sweeping national player of the year awards. He was a monster on the glass for two years, and had a Big 12-record 16 games where he recorded at least 20 points and 15 rebounds. The 504 rebounds he grabbed as a sophomore were the most by any Division I player in 40 years.
Career stats: 108 games, 10.5 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 1.7 apg, 61.6% FG, 50% 3FG
How's this for a fun fact: Despite winning back-to-back national championships in 2006 and 2007, the Gators didn't have a single first-team All-American. On a roster filled with talent and depth, Noah stood out for his toughness and efficiency; in 2006, he scored 16 points, grabbed nine rebounds and blocked a still-standing tournament record six shots in the title game against UCLA.
Career stats: 108 games, 19.3 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 6.0 apg, 45.3% FG, 39.3% 3FG
Probably the strongest player pound-for-pound in the country his last two years, Williams could get to the rim on anyone. He's best known for leading a crazy Duke comeback against Maryland in January 2001 — known as the Miracle Minute — but was instrumental the entire season, helping Duke to the 2001 title. Williams shared NABC player of the year honors in 2001 with teammate Shane Battier, then won multiple player of the year accolades as a junior in 2002.
Career stats: 103 games, 13.8 ppg, 10.6 rpg, 59% FG
Hugely important on both ends of the floor, Okafor's status as one of the best players to ever come out of one of the most decorated college hoops programs is undeniable. Consider this: He averaged a double-double, led UConn to the 2004 national championship and was both a consensus first team All-American and a two-time Big East defensive player of the year. He's all over the Huskies' record book, ranking No. 1 in career blocks (441) and blocks per game (4.3).
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Career stats: 133 games, 14.3 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 2.8 apg, 41.3% FG, 34.5% 3FG
If you're an analytics junkie, you're probably arguing for Smith to be higher. The former Cardinals guard is one of two players in the KenPom era to be a back-to-back player of the year based on his individual KenPom player rating. After Kevin Ware's gruesome broken leg in the 2013 regional final, Smith stepped up to score 23 points and win regional most outstanding player honors. He led Louisville to the national championship that year, the Cardinals' first since 1986.
Career stats: 139 games, 18.7 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 3.7 apg, 45.5% FG, 39.4% 3FG
A mid-major legend who reached folk hero status, Fredette — who became known by his first name — scored 40 or more points seven times between his junior and senior year. It's hard to pick his most impressive game. Was it when he went off for 52 points against New Mexico in the Mountain West tournament as a senior? The 45-point performance against TCU in the 2010 conference tournament? Maybe the 37 points he scored against Florida in a double-overtime win in the opening round of the 2010 NCAA Tournament? It's a tough call. Putting Fredette on this list was not.
Career stats: 95 games, 19.7 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 2.0 apg, 50.3% FG, 36.8% 3FG
Gonzaga basketball is now a juggernaut, far from the plucky underdog status the Zags held on to through their first few NCAA Tournament runs. The move from mid-major to major contender is largely due to Morrison, a homegrown kid who went from GU ball boy to All-American — a particularly impressive arc considering he wasn't a top-100 recruit coming out of high school. His 41-point performance at the Maui Invitational, in a triple-overtime win vs. Michigan State, served as a precursor for a tremendous junior season — capped by a shocking collapse against UCLA in the NCAA Tournament, which led to the memorable image of an inconsolable Morrison crying on the court.
Career stats: 143 games, 13.7 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 4.5 apg, 41.1% FG, 37.5% 3FG
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A two-time national champion, Napier was critical to UConn's title runs in both 2011 and 2014. As a freshman, he was the first player off the bench — that's the season when Kemba Walker was running the show for the Huskies — and as a senior, he won most outstanding player at the Final Four. Napier's accomplishments in his senior year were especially sweet because he returned to UConn with the intention of getting back to the NCAA Tournament, as UConn had been banned in 2013.
Career stats: 144 games, 10.1 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 1.3 apg, 52.5% FG, 36.9% 3FG
Has anyone in college basketball had a glow-up quite like Frank the Tank? After coming off the bench for two seasons, the gangly center blossomed into a force in the paint, leading Wisconsin to back-to-back Final Fours. Kaminsky also has the distinction of earning the highest single-season player ranking since KenPom started ranking individual players in 2011.
Career stats: 65 games, 19.7 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 3.9 apg, 49.4% FG, 33.3% 3FG
An electric player with an affinity for highlight-worthy plays, Wade elevated a mid-major program (Marquette was Conference USA at the time) to new heights in leading the Golden Eagles to the 2003 Final Four. Wade's ability to take over games and dominate top teams — Kentucky fans know what I'm talking about — helped close the gap between mid-majors and power-conference foes, and played a crucial role in mid-majors being seen as more than occasional Cinderellas.
#OTD in 2003, @DwyaneWade's 29-point triple-double sent @MarquetteMBB to the #FinalFour
An unforgettable #MarchMadness performance. ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/YkRB5Eshn9
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 29, 2021
Career stats: 145 games, 21.7 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 1.3 apg, 55.0% FG, 45.8% 3FG
There's a strong argument that McDermott is the most impactful mid-major player of this century. A four-year starter for the Bluejays, he was the first player in nearly 30 years to win first-team All-America AP honors three times. He's one of just four players in NCAA men's history to score 3,000 points and grab 1,000 rebounds in his career, and he helped ease Creighton's transition from the Missouri Valley to the Big East.
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Career stats: 35 games, 25.8 ppg, 11.1 rpg, 1.3 apg, 47.3% FG, 40.4% 3FG
If Carmelo Anthony is the best one-and-done player to ever play in college, Durant is a close second. Unfortunately, Durant didn't win a national championship — or go to the Final Four, for that matter. But that should not overshadow the brilliance of his single year in college basketball, when he became the first freshman to win numerous national player of the year awards. The long, lanky forward could do just about anything offensively, a testament to his craftiness and skillset because he wasn't ever bullying someone to the basket with brute strength. Durant defined 'must-see' TV.
Career stats: 138 games, 18.2 ppg, 9.6 rpg, 1.3 apg, 61.1% FG, 50% 3FG
This is not recency bias. Edey's ability to control the paint transformed the Boilermakers and put Purdue in contention for a national championship two years in a row. A former hockey player, despite being a towering 7-foot-4, Edey sometimes got flak for not being more mobile around the basket. The reality is, no one had an answer for how to guard him or score on him consistently. Edey, Ralph Sampson and Bill Walton are the only players to repeat as Naismith Player of the Year.
Career stats: 142 games, 20.2 ppg, 8.6 rpg, 1.1 apg, 53.6% FG
Perhaps best known for his demonstrative facial expressions and aggressive play — he was nicknamed 'Psycho T' for a reason — Hansbrough is maybe the most accomplished player to ever come out of Chapel Hill. He led his team to the 2009 national title, was a four-time All-American, made two Final Fours and was the consensus national player of the year in 2008. In the history of the ACC, no player has scored more career points than Hansbrough (2,872).
Career stats: 146 games, 13.6 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 1.6 apg, 50% FG, 41.6% 3FG
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Only two players on this list have the distinction of winning national player of the year, national defensive player of the year and leading their team to a national championship: Battier and Anthony Davis. That's pretty good company. Battier was a defensive stopper at Duke known for taking a charge nearly every game (while they don't all count for this exercise, he won three national defensive player of the year awards). He was lethal from the corner, knocking down 3s whenever Duke needed it. Though multiple Duke players made the list, Battier rises above because his impact on both ends of the floor is unmatched.
Career stats: 125 games, 16.8 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 5.7 apg, 45.4% FG, 36.5% 3FG
A singular force in the Atlantic 10, Nelson was the national player of the year and a consensus first-team All-American after leading St. Joe's to a 27-0 regular season record. He elevated the Hawks like no previous player had, and came achingly close to the Final Four — his shot at the buzzer against Oklahoma State in an epic Elite Eight game in 2004 fell short. Still, he is the best player in St. Joe's history.
Career stats: 111 games, 16.1 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 4.1 apg, 42.8% FG, 32.6% 3FG
In maybe the best individual postseason run in the history of college basketball, 'Cardiac Kemba' Walker was a man possessed in spring 2011. He went on a heater in March, leading UConn to five wins in five days at the Big East tournament, tallying 26 points per game. It turned out to just be a warmup for leading the Huskies to the 2011 national title. On the biggest stage of his career, Walker averaged 23.5 points, 6.0 rebounds and 5.7 assists in six tournament games, earning MOP honors after beating Butler in the final.
Career stats: 40 games, 14.2 ppg, 10.4 rpg, 1.3 apg, 62.3% FG
One of the most dominant players on both ends of the floor over the last 25 years, Davis led Kentucky to the 2012 national title as a true freshman, the only championship of John Calipari's Kentucky tenure. He went 38-2 as a college player, including a 16-0 SEC regular-season record. A solid offensive player, he was a force defensively and a nightmare to score on. He was particularly good in the Final Four, scoring 24 points, grabbing 30 rebounds and blocking 11 shots over two games and winning MOP honors, just the fourth freshman in NCAA Tournament history to do so. Given that Davis shot just 1-of-10 from the floor in the title game, his MOP honors are particularly impressive — and a testament to his defensive impact.
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Career stats: 104 games, 25.3 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 3.7 apg, 46.7% FG, 41.2% 3FG
Though he was a two-time consensus All-American, few could have imagined Curry would go on to become the greatest shooter in NBA history. Maybe we should have taken the hints. As a freshman in 2007, Curry scored 30 points in a first-round NCAA Tournament loss to fourth-seeded Maryland, then followed that up as a sophomore with a 30-point performance in the second half to upset seventh-seeded Gonzaga and deliver Davidson its first NCAA Tournament win in nearly 40 years. Davidson wound up making the Elite Eight, a run fueled almost entirely by Curry. After leading the nation in scoring as a junior (28.6), he left early for the NBA. Curry still holds the NCAA record for most 3s made in a single season (162).
Career stats: 116 games, 14.4 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 3.7 apg, 51% FG, 39.3% 3FG
Brunson is best remembered for a stellar junior year, when he led Villanova to the 2018 national championship, but don't forget that he was also a freshman starter on the Wildcats' 2016 title team. He proved to be clutch early on, draining two critical free throws with 3.5 seconds left to clinch Villanova's win over Kansas in the 2016 Elite Eight, creating the opportunity for Kris Jenkins' wild championship-winning buzzer-beater a week later. By the time Brunson was a junior, he was the best player in the country mostly due to his elite basketball IQ and craftiness with the ball — do not be foolish enough to underestimate him because of his lack of athleticism — solidifying his legacy with a second championship and consensus national player of the year honors.
Career stats: 35 games, 22.2 ppg, 10.0 rpg, 2.2 apg, 45.3% FG, 33.7% 3FG
Arguably the greatest one-and-done player in the history of college basketball, Anthony skipped going pro out of Oak Hill Academy in 2002 to enroll at Syracuse. A key piece of Jim Boeheim's vaunted 2-3 zone defense (Anthony's 7-foot wingspan was ideal in a zone), Anthony led Syracuse in scoring, rebounding and minutes played. Anthony exploded for 33 points against Texas in the national semifinals, setting up the title bout against Kansas, where he flirted with a triple-double in tallying 20 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists, leading Cuse to its first, and only, title.
Anthony was named the Final Four's most outstanding player. He was just a second-team All-American and he didn't win national player of the year (Texas guard T.J. Ford did). Still, he takes top billing here because his impact is second to none, and what he did for the program in six months is astonishing. Keep in mind, Syracuse wasn't ranked in the preseason and had missed the 2002 NCAA Tournament. With Melo, they were national champs.
Also considered (in alphabetical order): T.J. Ford, Texas; Buddy Hield, Oklahoma; Kevin Love, UCLA; Chris Paul, Wake Forest; Drew Timme, Gonzaga; John Wall, Kentucky
(Top image: Illustration: Eamonn Dalton / The Athletic; photos: )
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