FOX College Hoops Presents: The Great No. 33 Debate
FOX College Hoops Twitter has made a habit of sparking great debates within the sport.
Last week, it was the best player to wear No. 23.
? We think we know your answer here but…
Who’s the best college basketball player to ever wear No. 23? pic.twitter.com/0rprezMnl6
— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) June 18, 2020
We have a feeling who most fans would lean towards.
Earlier this week, the ladies of college hoops got into the mix.
Today marks the 48th anniversary of Title IX ?
Who is the best women’s college basketball player of all time? pic.twitter.com/UDQmEhSdva
— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) June 23, 2020
Between the eight legends pictured, is it even possible to settle that debate?
And this weekend, FOX College Hoops is at it again – and this might be the toughest debate to date.
So. Many. Legends. ??
Who is the best college basketball player to ever wear No. 33? pic.twitter.com/wbnIk0eQFv
— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) June 27, 2020
Wow.
Eight different guys. Eight different legacies. Eight all-time great college basketball players.
So who is the best player to ever wear No. 33? We don’t have the answers, but we do have the resumes.
Antawn Jamison, North Carolina
Jamison played three seasons at UNC, participating in two Final Fours. He was also a 2-time All-American and won National Player of the Year honors in 1998 when he averaged 22.2 points and 10.5 rebounds. His number is retired in the Dean Dome next to Michael Jordan and others.
Upon completing his career at UNC, he was selected 4th overall in the 1998 NBA Draft by the Toronto Raptors before being traded to the Golden State Warriors.
Patrick Ewing, Georgetown
Ewing is one of the most dominant defensive big men in college basketball history, as evidenced by him being a 4-time Big East Defensive Player of the Year.
Over the course of his four seasons at Georgetown, Ewing averaged 15.3 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 3.4 blocks. He was named the Final Four Most Outstanding Player in 1984, Big East Player of the Year in 1984 and 1985, National Player of the Year in 1985, and was a 3-time First-Team All-American from 1983-1985.
Ewing’s individual dominance translated into on-court success for the Hoyas, as they played in three National Championship games during his four seasons, winning it all in 1984.
Ewing was selected with the 1st overall pick by the New York Knicks in the 1985 NBA Draft.
Grant Hill, Duke
Another 4-year star, Hill averaged double figures every year he played at Duke from 1990-1994.
Hill’s career averages at Duke are 14.9 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 3.6 assists. He was a 2-time All American, and was also named the 1994 ACC Player of the Year. He helped lead Duke to back-to-back National Championships in 1991 and 1992.
Hill would go on to be selected 3rd overall by the Detroit Pistons in the 1994 NBA Draft.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, UCLA
Most would agree it’s hard to top Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s college resume.
During his three seasons of varsity basketball at UCLA, Jabbar averaged 26.4 points and 15.5 rebounds.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar/Lew Alcindor is decisively the undisputed GOAT of college basketball! During his 3 years at UCLA he led the Bruins to an 88-2 record, won 3 National Championships, was 3X National College Player of the Year, AND was 3X NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player. pic.twitter.com/94QzdU6N0V
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) April 1, 2020
Every season that he suited up for UCLA between 1966-1969, he was National Player of the Year, a First-Team All-American, NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player and a National Champion.
He was selected with the 1st overall pick by the Milwaukee Bucks in the 1969 NBA Draft.
Larry Bird, Indiana State
Bird was a bad man in the NBA for the Boston Celtics, and just might have been an even badder man in college.
During his three seasons at Indiana State from 1976-1979, Bird averaged an eye-popping 30.3 points, 13.3 rebounds, and 4.6 assists.
He was a 2-time First-Team All-American in 1978 and 1979, as well as being named National Player of the Year in 1979, the same year he would lead Indiana State to its first and only National Championship appearance.
40 years ago, Larry Bird and Indiana State made basketball history.
While the Sycamores fell to Magic Johnson and Michigan State in the Final, their near-perfect season remains one of the most meaningful runs ever. pic.twitter.com/pOBXRoSUJk
— March Madness TV (@MarchMadnessTV) April 6, 2019
He was selected with the 6th overall pick in the 1978 NBA Draft by the Boston Celtics before joining the franchise in 1979.
Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Michigan State
The man who defeated Bird in the 1979 National Championship was none other than Earvin “Magic” Johnson.
During his 2-year stint at Michigan State, Johnson averaged 17.1 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 7.9 assists.
‘Froback Friday! The great Earvin “Magic” Johnson at Michigan State. pic.twitter.com/NVDqfvtHmL
— Jay Bilas (@JayBilas) April 20, 2018
Johnson would be named consensus First-Team All-American in 1979, as well as the Final Four Most Outstanding Player after leading Michigan State to their first national title.
He would go on to be selected with the 1st overall pick by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1979 NBA Draft.
Shaquille O’Neal, LSU
O’Neal is widely-regarded as the most dominant offensive force to touch an NBA court, and the signs were evident at LSU.
During his 3-year college stay from 1989-1992, O’Neal averaged 21.6 points, 13.5 rebounds, and 4.6 blocks.
He was named AP Player of the Year in 1991, SEC Player of the Year in 1991 and 1992, as well as a consensus First-Team All-American in both seasons.
He would go on to be selected with the 1st overall pick by the Orlando Magic in the 1992 NBA Draft.
Marcus Smart, Oklahoma State
Smart is representing the new generation of hoopers on the list, and he had a stellar career in his own right during his 2-year stay in Stillwater, Oklahoma.
Smart averaged 16.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 4.5 assists from 2012-2014.
He was named a Second-Team All-American in 2013, as well as the Big 12 Freshman and Player of the Year.
He would go on to be selected with the 6th overall pick by the Boston Celtics in the 2014 NBA Draft.
Let us know your thoughts on Twitter!
So. Many. Legends. ??
Who is the best college basketball player to ever wear No. 33? pic.twitter.com/wbnIk0eQFv
— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) June 27, 2020
