Ranker

Anime Underground

Button Mash

Graveyard Shift

Total Nerd

Unspeakable Times

Weird History

Weird Nature

Weirdly Interesting

Sports

Music

Entertainment

Living

Culture

Food

Makeup

Halloween

Thanksgiving

Holidays

Watchworthy

HBO Max

The greatest players in NCAA history, ranked by team.

Basketball

Syracuse Orange men's basketball

The best college basketball programs in the country come from some of the most distinguished universities and colleges in the US. Including <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/march-madness-2018-ncaa-tournament/ranker-sports" target="_blank">teams most likely to win March Madness</a>, these men&#39;s basketball teams feature the <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-college-basketball-players-right-now/ranker-ncaa-basketball" target="_blank">best college basketball players of 2019</a>.&nbsp;These excellent athletic programs produce some of the basketball&#39;s most elite athletes and some of the <a href="http://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/greatest-rivalries-in-sports">greatest rivalries in sports</a>, college or otherwise. These are the colleges with good basketball programs that regularly kill it on the court.

Some of these teams, like the Tar Heels and the Jayhawks, are perennial contenders in the NCAA Men&#39;s Final Four and even NCAA basketball championship game, and other are up and coming programs that could soon rival the best college basketball programs for spots in the NCAA basketball tournament.

What are the best college basketball programs ever? What college has the best basketball program? What schools have the top basketball programs? There are a lot of answers to these questions that will likely be swayed by fervent fandom, but the point of this list is to compile answers and determine who has the top spot on the list of the best college basketball programs regardless of how popular or small the university is. If you know of a great basketball school that&#39;s not on the list yet, make sure to add it and get it in the running for the title of best college basketball program.

And since this is likely a list to be visited while thinking about, or in the throws of, March Madness, be sure to consult these tips for picking NCAA brackets when you&#39;re sifting through the up-and-comers trying to decide who will make it to the Sweet 16 and beyond.

Coaches

Adolph Rupp

Leading the <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/march-madness-2018-ncaa-tournament/ranker-sports" target="_blank">best teams most likely to win March Madness 2018</a>, the best college basketball coaches of all time are the winningest and most decorated men ever to coach NCAA college basketball. From the legends of the game from many decades ago to those coaches currently in their prime, these top college basketball coaches of all time will always be remembered as the best leaders and most brilliant minds to ever steer the <a href="/crowdranked-list/best-college-basketball-schools" target="_blank">best college basketball teams</a> into the history books.Easily regarded by many as the best college basketball coach ever, John Wooden won a remarkable 98-straight games and 10 NCAA titles over a 12-year span while coaching the UCLA Bruins in the 1960s and 1970s. Neither feat has ever been accomplished and quite simply no other coach has ever come close to this level of success.But there are some areas where other coaches have topped the great Wizard of Westwood. Many current and former college basketball coaches from various divisions have a higher win count, like McKendree legend Henry Statham or Oregon Tech mainstay Danny Miles, or a higher winning percentage, like longtime Kentucky coach Adolph Rupp. There are also plenty of <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/best-current-college-basketball-coaches/ranker-ncaa-basketball" target="_blank">best current college basketball coaches</a> who could very well meet or top Wooden's record of 12 NCAA titles such as Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski, who through 2013 sits with 11 championships, or Rick Pitino or Roy Williams, both of which each sitting on seven titles a piece.However you rank the best college basketball coaches ever, do it below by voting up the ones you think are best, voting down those that aren't, adding any not listed or re-ranking this list of the top NCAA college basketball coaches of all time!

Alabama basketball fans, we’re ranking the best Alabama Crimson Tide of all-time. This list of Alabama basketball players includes current and former players, along with the seasons played with the college.&nbsp;Featuring&nbsp;All-Americans, players in the NBA, and school legends who had their jerseys retired, the top players from University of Alabama men's basketball team history include Reggie King, JaMychal Green, Alonzo Gee, and Jerry Harper. Who is the best Alabama Crimson Tide ever?In the 2017-18 NCAA Division I men’s basketball season, the Alabama Crimson Tide roster has the starting five: Collin Sexton, Dazon Ingram, John Petty, Donta Hall, and Daniel Giddens. Vote up the ones you think are the greatest Alabama basketball players in Crimson Tide history. Feel free to add any Crimson Tide freshmen, NBA rookies, or Alabama alumni missing from the list.

College Basketball

Arizona basketball fans, we’re ranking the best Arizona Wildcats of all-time. This list of Arizona basketball players includes current and former players, along with their positions and seasons played with the college.&nbsp;Featuring&nbsp;All-Americans, players in the NBA, and school legends who had their jerseys retired, the top players from the University of Arizona&nbsp;men's basketball team history include Sean Elliott, Mike Bibby, Steve Kerr, and Gilbert Arenas. Who is the best Arizona Wildcat ever?In the 2017-18 NCAA Division I men’s basketball season, the Arizona Wildcats roster has the starting five: Parker Jackson-Cartwright, Allonzo Trier, Rawle Alkins, DeAndre Ayton, and Dusan Ristic. Vote up the ones you think are the greatest Arizona basketball players in Wildcats history. Feel free to add any Wildcat freshmen, NBA rookies, or Arizona alumni missing from the list.

Arizona State basketball fans, we’re ranking the best Arizona State Sun Devils of all-time. This list of Arizona State basketball players includes current and former players, along with the seasons played with the college.&nbsp;Featuring&nbsp;All-Americans, players in the NBA, and school legends who had their jerseys retired, the top players from Arizona State University men's basketball team history include James Harden, Byron Scott, Fat Lever, and Alton Lister. Who is the best Arizona State Sun Devil ever?In the 2017-18 NCAA Division I men’s basketball season, the Arizona State Sun Devils roster has the starting five: Shannon Evans, Tra Holder, Kodi Justice, Vitaliy Shibel, and Romello White. Vote up the ones you think are the greatest Arizona State basketball players in Sun Devils history. Feel free to add any Sun Devil freshmen, NBA rookies, or <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/famous-arizona-state-university-alumni-and-students/reference?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">Arizona State alumni</a> missing from the list.

Corliss Williamson

Many colleges have long traditions of NCAA basketball that breed great talent for the NBA. When thinking of some of the <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/best-college-basketball-schools?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">best college basketball programs</a> of all time, the Arkansas Razorbacks are one of the best. Here is a list of the best Arkansas Razorbacks of all time! Take a look at this list of Arkansas basketball players and vote up your favorites!&nbsp;From Arkansas greats like Joe Johnson and Sidney Moncrief, to other lesser known players, this a great list of the top Arkansas Razorbacks basketball players. So, take a look at these great Arkansas Razorbacks and vote up the ones you like the best!&nbsp;Who are the greatest Arkansas Razorbacks of all time? The <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/top-10-current-nba-players?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">best basketball players</a> in Arkansas history? Be sure to vote up your favorites and let's find the top Arkansas Razorbacks ever!

Auburn basketball fans, we&rsquo;re ranking the best Auburn Tigers of all-time. This list of Auburn basketball players includes current and former players, along with the seasons played with the college.&nbsp;Featuring&nbsp;All-Americans, players in the NBA, and school legends who had their jerseys retired, the top players from Auburn University men&#39;s basketball team history include Charles Barkely, Rex Frederick, Mike Mitchell, and Chris Poter. Who is the best Auburn Tiger ever?

Vote up the ones you think are the greatest Auburn basketball players in Tigers history. Feel free to add any Tiger freshmen, NBA rookies, or Auburn alumni missing from the list.

College Sports

Baylor basketball fans, we&rsquo;re ranking the best Baylor Bears of all-time. This list of Baylor basketball players includes current and former players, along with the seasons played with the college.&nbsp;Featuring&nbsp;All-Americans, players in the NBA, and school legends who had their jerseys retired, the top players from Baylor University men&#39;s basketball team history include Quincy Acy, LaceDarius Dunn, Terry Teagle, and Michael Williams. Who is the best Baylor Bear ever?

Vote up the ones you think are the greatest Baylor basketball players in Bears history. Feel free to add any Bear freshmen, NBA rookies, or Baylor alumni missing from the list.

Boston College basketball fans, we&rsquo;re ranking the best Boston College Eagles of all-time. This list of Boston College basketball players includes current and former players, along with the seasons played with the college.&nbsp;Featuring&nbsp;All-Americans, players in the NBA, and school legends who had their jerseys retired, the top players from Boston College men&#39;s basketball team history include Troy Bell, Reggie Jackson, Jared Dudley, and John Bagley. Who is the best Boston College Eagle ever?&nbsp;

Vote up the ones you think are the greatest Boston College basketball players in Eagles history. Feel free to add any Eagle freshmen, NBA rookies, or <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/famous-boston-college-alumni-and-students/reference?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">Boston College alumni</a> missing from the list.

Bob Evans

There are some schools that just always seem to be competitive in men's basketball. There are always those powerhouse programs. And when thinking of some of the <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/best-college-basketball-schools?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">best college basketball programs</a> of all time, the Butler Bulldogs have to be on your list.&nbsp; &nbsp; So, here's a list of the best Butler Bulldogs of all time! The very best basketball players in Butler history. In the men's program, that is. Take a look at this list of Butler Bulldogs basketball players and vote up your favorites! With all time greats like Andrew Smith and Roosevelt Jones, it's clear that many of the top Butler basketball players are some of the <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/the-top-nba-players-of-all-time?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">best basketball players of all time</a>.&nbsp; &nbsp; Take a look at these great Butler Bulldogs and vote up the players you think deserve to be on this list. Who would be on your all time Butler starting five? Who are the greatest Butler basketball players of all time? Who do you think are the best Butler Bulldogs ever?

Cincinnati basketball fans, we&rsquo;re ranking the best Cincinnati Bearcats of all-time. This list of Cincinnati basketball players includes current and former players, along with the seasons played with the college.&nbsp;Featuring&nbsp;All-Americans, players in the NBA, and school legends who had their jerseys retired, the top players from University of Cincinnati men&#39;s basketball team history include Oscar Robertson, Kenyon Martin, Nick Van Exel, and Steve Logan. Who is the best Cincinnati Bearcat ever?

Vote up the ones you think are the greatest Cincinnati basketball players in Bearcats history. Feel free to add any Bearcat freshmen, NBA rookies, or Cincinnati alumni missing from the list.

Clemson basketball fans, we&rsquo;re ranking the best Clemson Tigers of all-time. This list of Clemson basketball players includes current and former players, along with the seasons played with the college.&nbsp;Featuring&nbsp;All-Americans, players in the NBA, and school legends who had their jerseys retired, the top players from Clemson University men&#39;s basketball team history include Horace Grant, Elden Campbell, Tree Rollins, and K. J. McDaniels. Who is the best Clemson Tiger ever?

Vote up the ones you think are the greatest Clemson basketball players in Tigers history. Feel free to add any Tiger freshmen, NBA rookies, or Clemson alumni missing from the list.

Corey Maggette

<a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-duke-point-guards-ever/ranker-ncaa-basketball" target="_blank">Check out the best Duke point guards ever!</a> 
Many colleges have long traditions of NCAA basketball that breed great talent for the NBA. When thinking of some of the best college basketball players of all time, the Duke Blue Devils are one of the best. Here is a&nbsp;list of the best Duke Blue Devils of all time! Take a look at our list of Duke Blue Devils basketball players and vote for your favorites!

From famous all time Duke greats like Christian Laettner and Grant Hill, to other lesser known players, this a great list of the top Duke Blue Devils&nbsp;basketball players. So, take a look at these great Duke Blue Devils and vote up the ones you like the best!

Who are the greatest Duke Blue Devils of all time? The <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/top-current-nba-players?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">best basketball players</a> in Duke history? Be sure to vote up your favorites!

Florida basketball fans, we’re ranking the best Florida Gators of all-time. This list of Florida basketball players includes current and former players, along with the seasons played with the college.&nbsp;Featuring&nbsp;All-Americans, players in the NBA, and school legends who had their jerseys retired, the top players from&nbsp;University of Florida men's basketball team history include Neal Walk, Al Horford, Joakim Noah, and Udonis Haslem. Who is the best Florida Gator ever?In the 2017-18 NCAA Division I men’s basketball season, the <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-florida-gators-quarterbacks/ranker-college-football?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">Florida Gators roster</a> has the starting five: Chris Chiozza, Egor Koulechov, Jalen Hudson, Keith Stone, and Kevarrius Hayes. Vote up the ones you think are the greatest Florida basketball players in Gators history. Feel free to add any Gator freshmen, NBA rookies, or Florida alumni missing from the list.

Florida State basketball fans, we&rsquo;re ranking the best Florida State Seminoles of all-time. This list of Florida State basketball players includes current and former players, along with the seasons played with the college.&nbsp;Featuring&nbsp;All-Americans, players in the NBA, and school legends who had their jerseys retired, the top players from Florida State University men&#39;s basketball team history include Sam Cassell, Bob Sura, Toney Douglas, and Jonathan Isaac. Who is the best Florida State Seminole ever?

Vote up the ones you think are the greatest Florida State basketball players in Seminoles history. Feel free to add any Seminole freshmen, NBA rookies, or <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/famous-florida-state-university-alumni-and-students/reference?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">Florida State alumni</a> missing from the list.

Many colleges have long traditions of NCAA basketball that breed great talent for the NBA. When thinking of some of the <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/best-college-basketball-schools?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">best college basketball programs</a> of all time, the Georgetown Hoyas are one of the best. So naturally, &nbsp;here is a list of the best Georgetown Hoyas of all time! Take a look at this list of Georgetown Hoyas basketball players and vote up your favorites! This vintage Big East powerhouse certainly has had its fair share of great players.Whether it's some of the all time greats like Patrick Ewing or Allen Iverson, this is one heck of a list of the top Georgetown Hoyas basketball players. So take a look at these great Georgetown Hoyas and vote up the players you think have rightly earned their place on this list of the all time best.Who are the greatest Georgetown Hoyas? Who are the best Georgetown Hoyas of all time? Be sure to vote up your favorites!

Marcus Georges-Hunt

Many colleges have storied traditions of tremendous Men's NCAA basketball programs. When thinking of some of the absolute best of all time, the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets have to be on the short list. Here is a list of the best Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets of all time! The best Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the history of their men's basketball program. Take a look at this list of Georgia Tech basketball players and vote up your favorites!&nbsp;From all time greats like Chris Bosh and Mark Price, to other players you might not remember so well, this is a great list of the top Georgia Tech basketball players. So, take a look at these great Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets and vote up the players that you think are truly some the greatest Georgia Tech basketball players of all time.&nbsp;Who are the greatest Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets ever? Who do you think are the best Yellow Jackets of al time?

<a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-gonzaga-point-guards-ever/ranker-ncaa-basketball" target="_blank">Check out the best Gonzaga point guards ever!</a> 
Gonzaga basketball fans, we&rsquo;re ranking the best Gonzaga Bulldogs of all-time. This list of famous Gonzaga men&#39;s basketball players includes current and former players from the school&#39;s roster, along with the seasons played with the college.&nbsp;Featuring&nbsp;All-Americans, players in the NBA, and school legends who had their jerseys retired, the top players from Gonzaga University men&#39;s basketball team history include John Stockton, Kelly Olynyk, Domantas Sabonis, and Adam Morrison. Who is the best Gonzaga Bulldog ever?

Vote up the ones you think are the greatest Gonzaga basketball players in Bulldogs history. Feel free to add any Bulldog freshmen, NBA rookies, or Gonzaga alumni missing from the list.

Walt Bellamy

This is a list of the best Indiana Hoosier Basketball Players of All Time. When the word &quot;Indiana&quot; is&nbsp;uttered, Indiana University Basketball is the first thing that comes to mind.&nbsp; The Indiana Hoosiers are among the most storied programs in the history of college basketball with 5 NCAA Championships. IU&#39;s 7th in NCAA Tournament appearances (38), 7th in NCAA Tournament victories (64) and have won 21 Big Ten Conference&nbsp;Championships. No team has had more All-Big Ten selections than the Hoosiers with 53.

Put on your Candy Stripes and let us know who you think are The Greatest Hoosiers of All Time!&nbsp;

Iowa basketball fans, we&rsquo;re ranking the best Iowa Hawkeyes of all-time. This list of Iowa basketball players includes current and former players, along with the seasons played with the college.&nbsp;Featuring&nbsp;All-Americans, players in the NBA, and school legends who had their jerseys retired, the top players from&nbsp;University of Iowa men&#39;s basketball team history include B. J. Armstrong, Ronnie Lester, Reggie Evans, and Jeff Horner. Who is the best Iowa Hawkeye ever?

Vote up the ones you think are the greatest Iowa basketball players in Hawkeyes history. Feel free to add any Hawkeye freshmen, NBA rookies, or Iowa alumni missing from the list.

College Basketball Blue Bloods

pageType

safe_grapeshot

edit_update_annually

top_search_3-4

affiliate_intent

amazon_alexa

mod_open_sys

mod_alexa

scale_cleanup

cb_college-basketball-blue-bloods

srch

Louisville basketball fans, we’re ranking the best Louisville Cardinals of all-time. This list of Louisville basketball players includes current and former players, along with the seasons played with the college.&nbsp;Featuring&nbsp;All-Americans, players in the NBA, and school legends who had their jerseys retired, the top players from University of Louisville men's basketball team history include Wes Unseld, Donovan Mitchell, Rodney McCray, and Billy Thompson. Who is the best Louisville Cardinal ever?In the 2017-18 NCAA Division I men’s basketball season, the Louisville Cardinals roster has the starting five: Darius Perry, Quentin Snider, V. J. King, Raymond Spalding, and Anas Mahmoud. Vote up the ones you think are the greatest Louisville basketball players in Cardinals history. Feel free to add any Cardinal freshmen, NBA rookies, or Louisville alumni missing from the list.

The 25+ Best Louisville Cardinals Basketball Players Of All Time

The Greatest Louisville Basketball Players of All Time

The Best Sports Lists - Find or Make a Basketball Players List  | Ranker  | Ranker - A World of Lists

Basketball Player

Best Rankings of Sports Teams and Players, Interesting Sports Facts, and Moments in Sports

sports

Ranker NCAA Basketball

Gender

Women

Gen Zs

Millenials

Gen Xers

Baby Boomers

Region

West Coast US

Mountain US

Midwest US

Southern US

Northeastern US

International

Wes Unseld

Westley Sissel Unseld (born March 14, 1946) is an American former basketball player. He spent his entire NBA career with the Baltimore/Capital/Washington Bullets, and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1988.

Darrell Griffith

Darrell Steven Griffith (born June 16, 1958), also known by his nickname Dr. Dunkenstein, is an American former basketball player who spent his entire professional career with the Utah Jazz of the National Basketball Association.   He played collegiately at the University of Louisville.  He is widely regarded as one of the greatest college basketball players of all time.

Donovan Mitchell

Donovan Vernell Mitchell Jr. (born September 7, 1996) is an American professional basketball player for the Utah Jazz of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Louisville Cardinals. He was selected by the Denver Nuggets with the 13th overall pick in the 2017 NBA draft and was traded on draft night to the Utah Jazz. During his rookie season, Mitchell was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team and won the 2018 Slam Dunk Contest. On March 1, 2018, Mitchell was named as the Western Conference Rookie of the month for the third time that season for games played in February. On April 10, he set a rookie record for most three-pointers in a season with 186 three-pointers during a 119–79 win over the Golden State Warriors. On April 12, at the end of the regular season, Mitchell was named Western Conference Rookie of the Month for March and April.

Russ Smith

Russ Anton Smith (born April 19, 1991) is an American professional basketball player. He played collegiately for the Louisville Cardinals, playing a starring role as a junior in helping them win the 2013 NCAA championship, while earning third-team All-American by the NABC and the Sporting News. As a senior at Louisville, he was named a consensus first-team All-American.

bigulcards

Montrezl Harrell

Montrezl Dashay Harrell (born January 26, 1994) is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Louisville Cardinals. As a freshman, Harrell was a key reserve on their 2013 national championship team, and he received the Karl Malone Award as the top power forward in the nation as a junior in 2015. He was selected with the 32nd overall pick by the Houston Rockets in the 2015 NBA draft. He was traded to the Clippers in 2017.

Pervis Ellison

Pervis Ellison (born April 3, 1967) is an American former National Basketball Association (NBA) player.
Ellison was nicknamed "Never Nervous Pervis" for his play with the University of Louisville.  At 6 ft 9 in and 242 lb, he started all four years as the center under coach Denny Crum.  In his freshman year he led Louisville to its second national championship and was named the Most Outstanding Player—the second time a freshman had ever been awarded that honor, after Arnie Ferrin in 1944 for Utah.
Ellison was made the first overall pick in the 1989 NBA draft by the Sacramento Kings. Teammate Danny Ainge gave Ellison the nickname "Out of Service Pervis" for the many injuries that would plague him during his professional career. An injury kept him on the sidelines for 48 of 82 games of his rookie year, after which he was traded to the Washington Bullets in a three-team trade involving the Utah Jazz that also sent Jeff Malone to the Jazz and Eric Leckner, Bob Hansen, and draft picks to the Kings. Although he was assigned as a backup in 1990–1991, the following year he became a starter and earned Most Improved Player honors after averaging 20.0 points, 11.4 rebounds and 2.68 blocks per game.
Assorted injuries plagued his career, including two knee problems that kept him benched for 29 games in 1992–1993 and 30 games in 1993–1994.  As a free agent, Ellison signed with the Boston Celtics in 1994 but did not play until midway through the season because he was still rehabilitating from knee problems.  A broken toe suffered while moving furniture kept him out of most games between 1996 and 1998. After participating in 69 out of a possible 246 games over the final three seasons with the Celtics, he joined the Seattle SuperSonics in 2000 but retired after playing nine games. He once coached basketball for Life Center Academy in Burlington, New Jersey and is a resident of Voorhees Township, New Jersey.

Rodney McCray

Rodney Earl McCray (born August 29, 1961) is an American former basketball player.  A 6'7" small forward, he spent 10 seasons (1983–93) in the National Basketball Association (NBA), tallying 9,014 career points and 5,087 career rebounds.

Terry Rozier

Terry William Rozier III (born March 17, 1994) is an American professional basketball player for the Charlotte Hornets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played two years of college basketball for Louisville before being selected with the 16th overall pick in the 2015 NBA draft by the Boston Celtics. In early November, Rozier was reportedly unhappy with his playing time to begin the 2018–19 season, having gone from starting in the playoffs to coming off the bench. On January 23, he scored 22 of his 26 points in the first half of the Celtics' 123–103 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. He became the first Celtics player to score 20 or more points in a half on perfect shooting since Paul Pierce went 7 for 7 and had 20 in the second half against the Chicago Bulls on October 30, 2009. On July 6, 2019, Rozier was traded to the Charlotte Hornets, as part of a sign-and-trade deal involving Kemba Walker.

Milt Wagner

Peyton Siva

Peyton Robert Siva Jr. (born October 24, 1990) is an American professional basketball player for Alba Berlin of the German Basketball Bundesliga. He played college basketball for Louisville, leading the school to two Final Fours including a national championship his senior season. He was drafted by the Detroit Pistons, who selected him with the 56th overall pick in the 2013 NBA draft.

Francisco García

DeJuan Wheat

DeJuan Shontez Wheat (born October 14, 1973) is a retired American professional basketball player, formerly of the NBA's Minnesota Timberwolves and Vancouver Grizzlies. He was a star at the University of Louisville from 1993 to 1997, becoming the first player in NCAA Division I history to amass career totals of at least 2,000 points, 450 assists, 300 three-point field goals and 200 steals.
Louisville's second all-time leader in three-point field goals (323), Wheat ranks second in school history in scoring (2,183 points) and third in assists (498). As a senior, he was named Honorable Mention All-America by The Associated Press, as well as Third Team All-America by the National Association of Basketball Coaches and Second Team All-America by The Sporting News. He led the Cardinals in scoring (17.3), assists (career-high 4.3), steals (career-high 1.94), three-point field goals (career-high 97) and minutes played (34.9 per game) as a senior and had 15 games with 20 or more points. He helped lead his hometown Cards to the Elite Eight in the NCAA Tournament that season.
Wheat was selected 52nd overall in the 1997 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Lakers but was cut in the preseason. He was signed by Minnesota before the regular season began and saw limited action in 34 games, averaging 1.7 points in 4.4 minutes per game during the 1997–98 season. He signed as a free agent with Vancouver on January 29, 1999, and played in 46 of 50 games, all as a reserve, averaging 4.5 points and 2.2 assists in only 12.8 minutes per game.
Wheat retired in 2010, playing his final season in Mexico for Soles de Mexicali.

Gorgui Dieng

Gorgui Sy Dieng (born January 18, 1990) is a Senegalese professional basketball player for the Minnesota Timberwolves of the National Basketball Association (NBA). On October 31, 2016, Dieng signed a four-year, $64 million contract extension with the Timberwolves. On January 15, 2017, he scored a season-high 21 points in a 98–87 loss to the Dallas Mavericks. On March 30, 2017, he recorded 11 points, a season-high 15 rebounds, six assists and three blocks in a 119–104 win over the Los Angeles Lakers.

Derek Smith

Derek Ervin Smith (November 1, 1961 – August 9, 1996) was an American professional basketball player. He won a national championship with the Louisville Cardinals in 1980, and spent nine years in the NBA in a career shortened by a knee injury. He would later become an assistant coach for the Washington Bullets from 1994 until his death.

Luke Hancock

Patrick Lucas "Luke" Hancock is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for Panionios of the Greek Basket League. He played college basketball for the University of Louisville and George Mason University.

Billy Thompson

William Stansbury Thompson (born December 1, 1963) is an American retired professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association and other leagues. He spent a 5-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat, and registered one minute of court time with the Golden State Warriors in 1991.

Terrence Williams

Terrence Deshon Williams (born June 28, 1987) is an American former professional basketball player who last played for Guaiqueríes de Margarita of the Liga Profesional de Baloncesto (LPB). Williams was drafted 11th overall in the 2009 NBA draft by the New Jersey Nets. He was the senior co-captain for Rick Pitino's 2008–09 University of Louisville Cardinals.
During the 2007–08 season, Williams achieved the third and fourth triple-doubles in Louisville basketball history (the first two by Samaki Walker and Ellis Myles). He racked up 14 points, 13 assists and 12 rebounds in the Cardinals' season-opening 104-69 win over Hartford and had 10 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists in a January 19, 2008 loss to Seton Hall.At Rainier Beach High School, Williams was a four-year starter on the basketball team. He helped the team to a state title in 2003. He averaged 21.7 points his senior year. He was also a starting wide receiver and free safety on the football team. He considered attending Indiana and Kansas before deciding to play for Pitino.Williams appeared on three straight Sports Illustrated covers  and is one of few athletes to do so.  He was also a finalist in the Lowe's Senior Class Award and was named to the Lowe's Senior Class All-Senior All-America first team.Williams has extraordinary overall athletic abilities as recognized by coach Rick Pitino.  "He's a freakish athlete", Pitino said.  He is known for his slam dunking abilities and won the dunk contest at the 2005 Kentucky Derby Basketball Classic.

Butch Beard

Alfred "Butch" Beard Jr. (born May 5, 1947) is a former professional basketball player and coach. He was the starting point guard with the 1975 NBA champion Golden State Warriors.
Beard played high school basketball at Breckinridge County High School where, as a junior, he led the Bearcats to the 1964 state championship game losing to a Wes Unseld-led Louisville Seneca team. Beard and Unseld would later become roommates at the University of Louisville. In 1965, Beard led the Bearcats back to the title game, winning the state championship. Additionally, he was named the Kentucky Mr. Basketball.
Butch Beard played college basketball at the University of Louisville.
Beard was selected by the Dallas Chaparrals in the 1969 ABA draft and by the Atlanta Hawks in the first round of the 1969 NBA draft. Beard played nine seasons (1969–1970; 1971–1979) with five teams: the Atlanta Hawks, the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Seattle SuperSonics, the Golden State Warriors, and the New York Knicks. He scored 5,622 career points and represented Cleveland in the 1972 NBA All-Star Game. While with the Warriors he scored the last seven points of the team's 1975 NBA Championship win. Beard retired as an NBA player in 1979, last playing for the New York Knicks.
Beard later served as head coach of the New Jersey Nets from 1994 to 1996. He was also color analyst for New York Knicks games on MSG Network during the 1980s.  He was the head coach at Morgan State University until he stepped down in March 2006.

Reece Gaines

Clifton Reece Gaines (born January 7, 1981) is an American former professional basketball player and current assistant coach at Eastern Kentucky University.

LaBradford Smith

LaBradford Corvey Smith (born April 3, 1969) is a retired American professional basketball player.
Smith went to Bay City High School in Bay City, Texas. He played collegiately at the University of Louisville before being selected by the Washington Bullets in the 1st round (19th overall) of the 1991 NBA draft.
Smith played in three NBA seasons from 1991 to 1994. His best year as a pro came during the 1992–93 season as a member of the Bullets, when he appeared in 69 games and averaged 9.3 ppg. During the 1993–94 season, he was waived by the Bullets and spent the rest of the season playing for the Sacramento Kings. He later on played in the CBA and overseas. Smith averaged 6.7 ppg in his professional career.
Smith is known for scoring 37 points on Michael Jordan in a road game against the Chicago Bulls on March 19, 1993. He shot 15–20 from the floor, and 7–7 from the foul line. However, the Bullets lost 104–99.

Scooter McCray

Carlton Lamont "Scooter" McCray (born February 8, 1960) is a retired American professional basketball player. He had a career in the NBA from 1983 to 1987. He was selected large-school player of the year in 1978 by the New York State Sportswriters Association after his senior season at Mount Vernon High School. His younger brother Rodney, with whom he played alongside for the Cardinals at the University of Louisville, also played in the NBA.
After he retired, McCray became an assistant coach for the Louisville men's basketball team.

Taquan Dean

Taqwa Pinero (born Taquan Dean on August 6, 1983) is an American professional basketball player who lastly played for Élan Béarnais Pau-Lacq-Orthez of the LNB Pro A.

Charlie Tyra

Charles E. Tyra (August 16, 1935 – December 29, 2006) was an American basketball player who is best known as the first Louisville Cardinal All-American.

Jordan nwora

Jordan Nwora

Jordan Nwora (born September 9, 1998) is a Nigerian-American Basketball player who plays for the Nigerian national team D'Tigers. He plays College Basketball for the Louisville Cardinals.

Clifford Rozier

Clifford Glen Rozier (October 31, 1972 - July 6, 2018) was an American professional basketball player.
Rozier was named Florida Mr. Basketball. He played college basketball at the University of North Carolina and the University of Louisville. As a senior at Louisville, Rozier averaged 18.1 points and 11.1 rebounds a game. He was selected by the Golden State Warriors in the first round (16th pick overall) of the 1994 NBA Draft. Rozier played for the Warriors, Toronto Raptors and Minnesota Timberwolves in 4 NBA seasons. His best season as a pro came during his rookie year with the Warriors, when he appeared in 66 games averaging 6.8 points per game. Over the course of his career, he played in 173 NBA games.In 2000, he played in the United States Basketball League with the Brevard Blue Ducks.
Rozier died at age 45 following a heart attack on July 6, 2018.

Louisville basketball fans, we’re ranking the best Louisville Cardinals of all-time. This list of Louisville basketball players includes current and former ...