(03-15-2020 10:45 AM)quo vadis Wrote:  I've made corrections to this list, LOL. Not many, as he did a great job. Even got 32, 33, and 44 right, and those are extremely tough ones to pick.

(03-14-2020 09:39 PM)Wedge Wrote:  John Gasaway made this list at ESPN. Lots of room for argument at the more popular jersey numbers.

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basket...sey-number

As he points out, only numbers 0-5, single or double digits, are currently eligible for use in college hoops.

Have fun debating over these and/or complaining that a player from your favorite team didn't make this list.

Quote:00. Tony Delk, Kentucky (1992-96) over Cliff Robinson and Eric Montross, among others (just assume "among others" from here on)

0. Frank Mason III, Kansas (2013-17) over Russell Westbrook, Jared Sullinger, Thomas Robinson

1. Zion Williamson, Duke (2018-19) over Damian Lillard, Jalen Brunson, Hakim Warrick

2. Russ Smith, Louisville (2011-14) over Isaiah Thomas, Grant Williams, Raymond Felton

3. Doug McDermott, Creighton (2010-14) over Allen Iverson, Dwyane Wade, Chris Paul

4. Chris Webber, Michigan (1991-93) over K.C. Jones, Larry Johnson, JJ Redick

It's close, but LJ had better regular seasons than Webber, and led his team to a national title.

5. Walter Dukes, Seton Hall (1950-53) over John Havlicek, Jason Kidd, Jalen Rose

10. Otis Birdsong, Houston (1973-77) over Rick Mount, Dick Groat, Mookie Blaylock

11. Jerry Lucas, Ohio State (1959-62) over Isiah Thomas, Don Barksdale, Bobby Hurley

12. Oscar Robertson, Cincinnati (1957-60) over Phil Ford, Steve Alford, Kenny Anderson

13. Wilt Chamberlain, Kansas (1956-58) over Glenn Robinson, John Wooden, James Harden

14. Johnny Neumann (Ole Miss, 1970-71) over Jameer Nelson, Michael Kidd-Gilchrest, Chris Douglas-Roberts

15. Carmelo Anthony, Syracuse (2002-03) over Tom Gola, Kemba Walker, Alex Groza

Carmelo in 2003 and Walker in 2011 had identical spectacular seasons, but Walker also was very good the year before, whereas Carmelo only played that one year.

20. Gary Payton, Oregon State (1986-90) over Chris Mullin, Greg Oden, Allan Houston

Payton had a very good junior year and outstanding senior year, but Mullin was a star all four of his years. He won Big East POY awards three straight years, and the Wooden Award as 1985 national POY, despite sharing the court with Patrick Ewing during that time. Also, Payton never won an NCAA tournament game, Mullin led STJ to the Final 4. Easy call for Mullin.

21. Tim Duncan, Wake Forest (1993-97) over Quinn Buckner, Walter Berry, Dominique Wilkins

22. Elgin Baylor, Seattle (1956-58) over Jay Williams, Clyde Drexler, Jim Jackson

23. Michael Jordan (North Carolina, 1981-84) over Pete Maravich, Anthony Davis, Wayman Tisdale

Jordan is Jordan, but Maravich was a record-setter for three years at LSU.

24. Buddy Hield, Oklahoma (2012-16) over Johnny Dawkins, Mark Aguirre, Jamal Mashburn

25. Danny Manning, Kansas (1984-88) over Penny Hardaway, Juwan Howard, Gail Goodrich

30. Stephen Curry, Davidson (2006-09) over Rasheed Wallace, Kenny Smith, Michael Beasley

31. Wes Unseld, Louisville (1965-68) over Shane Battier, Pearl Washington, Reggie Miller

32. Bill Walton, UCLA (1971-74) over Christian Laettner, Richard Hamilton, Julius Erving

33. Lew Alcindor (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar), UCLA (1966-69) over Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Patrick Ewing

34. Hakeem Olajuwon, Houston (1981-84) over Charles Barkley, Austin Carr, Len Bias

35. Kevin Durant, Texas (2006-07) over Sidney Wicks, Dick Barnett, Bob McAdoo

Durant was spectacular but only for one year at Texas. Wicks was great individually for two years, leading UCLA to the national title both times.

40. Calbert Cheaney, Indiana (1989-93) over Cody Zeller and Kurt Thomas

41. Sam Perkins (North Carolina, 1981-84) over Glen Rice

So close I'd call it a tie.

42. Bill Bradley, Princeton (1962-65) over Scott May, Jerry Stackhouse, Elton Brand

43. Mychal Thompson, Minnesota (1974-78) over Clyde Lee and Terry Dischinger

44. David Thompson, NC State (1972-75) over Elvin Hayes, Jerry West, Adrian Dantley

45. Denzel Valentine, Michigan State (2012-16) over Raef LaFrentz, Donovan Mitchell, DeJuan Blair

50. Ralph Sampson, Virginia (1979-83) over David Robinson, Tyler Hansbrough, Emeka Okafor

51. Still waiting for its legend

52. James Worthy, North Carolina (1979-82) over Walt Frazier and Jamaal Wilkes

53. Artis Gilmore, Jacksonville (1969-71) over Bernard King and Jon Koncak

54. Kent Benson, Indiana (1973-77) over Marques Johnson, Howard Porter, Horace Grant

55. Dikembe Mutombo, Georgetown (1988-91) over Michael Olowakandi and Brian Zoubek

Jersey numbers that are no longer eligible

6. Bill Russell, San Francisco (1953-56) over Cliff Hagan and Hal Lear

7. Hank Luisetti, Stanford (1935-38)

16. Clyde Lovellette, Kansas (1950-52)

17. Bob Cousy, Holy Cross (1946-50)

28. Frank Selvy, Furman (1951-54)

90. Bob Kurland, Oklahoma State (1942-46)

99. George Mikan, DePaul (1942-46)

payton over Mullin is a crime. Not a fan of Doug McD over AI, but I'm biased. AI lived up to his hype in a way that few have. His story is electrifying; his play moreso.