Top 5 Favorite Players from your Program

[The Derski]

1. Mike Bibby
2. Nick Johnson
3. Solomon Hill
4. Hassan Adams
5. Richard Jefferson

That’s a good call with Hassan Adams.

 

[douggie]

5) Sheldon Williams
4) JJ Redick
3) Jay Williams
2) Grant Hill
1) Christian Laettner

That was just too difficult, so...

HIGH Honrable mention:

Shane Battier
Bobby Hurley
Tate Armstrong
Quinn Cook
Johnny Dawkins

Honorable mention:

Elton Brand
Justise Winslow
Tyus Jones
Jayson Tatum
Danny Ferry

Just missed:
Mike Gminski
Gene Banks
Kenny Dennard
Art Heyman
Grayson Allen
Jeff Mullins
Jahlil Okafor
Greg Zoubek
John Scheyer
Kyle Singler
Mike Dunleavy
Nolan Smith
Jabari Parker
Luol Deng
Trajan Langdon
Austin Rivers
Mason Plumlee
Brandon Ingram
Tommy Amaker
Bob Verga
Carlos Boozer
Chris Collins
Steve Wojciechowski
CP Youmans
Quinn Snider
Marshal Plumlee
Dan Meagher
Luke Kennard
Ryan Kelly
Matt Jones
Kyrie Irving
David Henderson
Gerald Henderson
Daniel Ewing
Chris Duhon
Dick DeVenzio
Brian Davis
Seth Curry
Jim Spanarkel
Robert Brickey
Marvin Bagley

and I'm sure I'm missing someone worthy of mention

 

[ericd7633]

5) Sheldon Williams
4) JJ Redick
3) Jay Williams
2) Grant Hill
1) Christian Laettner

That was just too difficult, so...

HIGH Honrable mention:

Shane Battier
Bobby Hurley
Tate Armstrong
Quinn Cook
Johnny Dawkins

Honorable mention:

Elton Brand
Justise Winslow
Tyus Jones
Jayson Tatum
Danny Ferry

Just missed:
Mike Gminski
Gene Banks
Kenny Dennard
Art Heyman
Grayson Allen
Jeff Mullins
Jahlil Okafor
Greg Zoubek
John Scheyer
Kyle Singler
Mike Dunleavy
Nolan Smith
Jabari Parker
Luol Deng
Trajan Langdon
Austin Rivers
Mason Plumlee
Brandon Ingram
Tommy Amaker
Bob Verga
Carlos Boozer
Chris Collins
Steve Wojciechowski
CP Youmans
Quinn Snider
Marshal Plumlee
Dan Meagher
Luke Kennard
Ryan Kelly
Matt Jones
Kyrie Irving
David Henderson
Gerald Henderson
Daniel Ewing
Chris Duhon
Dick DeVenzio
Brian Davis
Seth Curry
Jim Spanarkel
Robert Brickey
Marvin Bagley

and I'm sure I'm missing someone worthy of mention

I'm obviously not a Duke guy, but Trajan Langdon and Luol Deng were two Duke players I actually didn't mind. And that's saying something because I don't think there was a team I disliked more than late 90's early 2000's Duke. Lol. Also honorable mention for Elton Brand.

 

[douggie]

I'm obviously not a Duke guy, but Trajan Langdon and Luol Deng were two Duke players I actually didn't mind. And that's saying something because I don't think there was a team I disliked more than late 90's early 2000's Duke. Lol. Also honorable mention for Elton Brand.

I know, Elton Brand was HM on my list, and I loved watching him play, but I didn't list BEST or GREATEST, or any of that, but who I liked best. I have enjoyed most Duke teams collectively while others I've struggled to enjoy. But of those teams If I can only list the Top Five, then there it is as best as I can recall.

 

[ericd7633]

I know, Elton Brand was HM on my list, and I loved watching him play, but I didn't list BEST or GREATEST, or any of that, but who I liked best. I have enjoyed most Duke teams collectively while others I've struggled to enjoy. But of those teams If I can only list the Top Five, then there it is as best as I can recall.

Yeah, I can understand why this exercise is more difficult for others than myself. Lol. That was what I wanted. Just the 5 most favorite players. The three I listed just had a lot of respect for them and their game. Very interesting list. I was curious as a program with so many greats which ones would stand out as your favorites.

 

[douggie]

1 Ralph Sampson
2 Bryant Stith
3 Cory Alexander
4 Malcolm Brogden
5 Cornel Parker

No love for Wally Walker or John "Marc" Iavaroni?

 

[douggie]

yeah, but barely. i think Rodney Rogers and Randolph Childress are my favorite Deacs that I didn't watch live.

How old are you? I remember watching Skip Brown, Frank Johnson, Anthony Teachy, Mike Helms before his off the court issues, etc,

 

[Hitman Hart]

How old are you? I remember watching Skip Brown, Frank Johnson, Anthony Teachy, Mike Helms before his off the court issues, etc,

I'm in my late 20s, but I've always been interested in the history of our great conference. Probably more educated about the history of ACC basketball than most people my age.

during Danny's introductory press conference, he specifically name dropped Anthony Teachy. referred to him as someone that "always got the job done". Really brought out the Greensboro in him

 

[jontaejones]

McDyess?

Oh yea. Forgot about him. He's probably the best, yea. But Bama had a better team when Horry and Sprewell were together. And Horry might have been a little better in college.

 

[jontaejones]

5) Sheldon Williams
4) JJ Redick
3) Jay Williams
2) Grant Hill
1) Christian Laettner

That was just too difficult, so...

HIGH Honrable mention:

Shane Battier
Bobby Hurley
Tate Armstrong
Quinn Cook
Johnny Dawkins

Honorable mention:

Elton Brand
Justise Winslow
Tyus Jones
Jayson Tatum
Danny Ferry

Just missed:
Mike Gminski
Gene Banks
Kenny Dennard
Art Heyman
Grayson Allen
Jeff Mullins
Jahlil Okafor
Greg Zoubek
John Scheyer
Kyle Singler
Mike Dunleavy
Nolan Smith
Jabari Parker
Luol Deng
Trajan Langdon
Austin Rivers
Mason Plumlee
Brandon Ingram
Tommy Amaker
Bob Verga
Carlos Boozer
Chris Collins
Steve Wojciechowski
CP Youmans
Quinn Snider
Marshal Plumlee
Dan Meagher
Luke Kennard
Ryan Kelly
Matt Jones
Kyrie Irving
David Henderson
Gerald Henderson
Daniel Ewing
Chris Duhon
Dick DeVenzio
Brian Davis
Seth Curry
Jim Spanarkel
Robert Brickey
Marvin Bagley

and I'm sure I'm missing someone worthy of mention

I hated Laettner, Hurley and Hill in real time, but in retrospect I'm able to appreciate them.

My favorite Duke player was Jon Scheyer. So smart and skilled. I also liked Chris Carawell. Very underrated Duke basketball player.

I'm obviously not a Duke guy, but Trajan Langdon and Luol Deng were two Duke players I actually didn't mind. And that's saying something because I don't think there was a team I disliked more than late 90's early 2000's Duke. Lol. Also honorable mention for Elton Brand.

I hated Duke for most of the 90s. Then I found myself rooting for them from time to time in the 2000s. Now, I'm pretty indifferent.

 

[brandonk989]

1. Tim Pickett
2. Al Thornton
3. Michael Snaer
4. Toney Douglas
5. Todd Galloway

Just barely missed the Sam Cassell and Bob Sura days.

 

[gordontrue]

That’s a good call with Hassan Adams.

don't remember ever seeing that video, thats awesome

 

[jontaejones]

Just barely missed the Sam Cassell and Bob Sura days.

That was a fun team.

I remember they had to wait for football season to end so Charlie Ward could join the team. Ward was a great player.

 

[douggie]

1. Tim Pickett
2. Al Thornton
3. Michael Snaer
4. Toney Douglas
5. Todd Galloway

Just barely missed the Sam Cassell and Bob Sura days.

I remember Cassell and Sura beating the Heels at Chapel Hill FSU's first year joining the ACC, 1991 I believe

 

[Scapegoat]

My top 5 favorite.
1. Sean Elliot. Local product and Zona wouldn't be where Zona's at now if he never suited up for the cats.
2. Damon Stoudemire. Mighty Mouse
3. Bob Elliot.
4. Derrick Williams.
5. Kevin Parrom. No Easy Buckets

Any Arizona list without Elliot #1 is garbage.

 

[Scapegoat]

5) Sheldon Williams
4) JJ Redick
3) Jay Williams
2) Grant Hill
1) Christian Laettner

That was just too difficult, so...

HIGH Honrable mention:

Shane Battier
Bobby Hurley
Tate Armstrong
Quinn Cook
Johnny Dawkins

Honorable mention:

Elton Brand
Justise Winslow
Tyus Jones
Jayson Tatum
Danny Ferry

Just missed:
Mike Gminski
Gene Banks
Kenny Dennard
Art Heyman
Grayson Allen
Jeff Mullins
Jahlil Okafor
Greg Zoubek
John Scheyer
Kyle Singler
Mike Dunleavy
Nolan Smith
Jabari Parker
Luol Deng
Trajan Langdon
Austin Rivers
Mason Plumlee
Brandon Ingram
Tommy Amaker
Bob Verga
Carlos Boozer
Chris Collins
Steve Wojciechowski
CP Youmans
Quinn Snider
Marshal Plumlee
Dan Meagher
Luke Kennard
Ryan Kelly
Matt Jones
Kyrie Irving
David Henderson
Gerald Henderson
Daniel Ewing
Chris Duhon
Dick DeVenzio
Brian Davis
Seth Curry
Jim Spanarkel
Robert Brickey
Marvin Bagley

and I'm sure I'm missing someone worthy of mention

As a Tarheels fan I can say that Johnny Dawkins is the guy that started it. Those early Duke teams with Laettner and Hill had the advantage of everyone staying 4 years. It was something I noticed that happened at Duke that didn't at North Carolina.

 

[Scapegoat]

I remember Cassell and Sura beating the Heels at Chapel Hill FSU's first year joining the ACC, 1991 I believe

Unfortunately I also remember that game. Carolina still hast trouble with FSU

 

[wingsauce7]

BJ Armstrong
Ronnie Lester
Greg Stokes
Roy Marble
Chris Street

 

[CatsTopPac]

What up gents? Hope you guys are doing well. And this is a great thread Eric. Tough one. As for my favorite players, and not the ones I think are the best, in my time following AZ:

1) Salim Stoudamire--I remember watching him launch 3s from the cactus logo on the old court. Him competing against JJ Redick was a thing of beauty for me. He also clearly didn't give a fuck and was able to get away with it under Lute.

2) A Tie between Sean Elliott and Steve Kerr--with Kerr's dad being assassinated and him, Elliott, and the team pulling together to get AZ's first FF was what set the AZ standard for the next 3 decades. Also, the fact that Elliott came from Cholla really tied the team and program to Tucson.

3) Miles Simon--I think he was a great glue guy to Bibby's leadership. He's what taught me that it's not about the best players, it's about the best team.

4) Tie between Hassan and Iggy--these two for me were the funnest duo to watch. So athletic, loose, and made McKale absolutely scream with their highlights.

5) Derrick Williams--He really brought the program back from Lute to Miller. How he grew while in Tucson, the way he excelled above the rim, and what he did to Duke in 2011 was the only solace I'll probably ever get from 2001.

Honorable Mention: Jason Terry, Damon Stoudamire, Jason Gardner, Richard Jefferson, Kevin Parrom, Solomon Hill, Nic Wise, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, TJ McConnell, Eugene Edgerson, and Josh Pastner.

Also, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention Chase Budinger. I dressed up in his jersey and shorts for Halloween one year while he played, and although I'm 7-8 inches shorter than he is, A LOT of drunk girls on 4th Ave mistook me for him and it definitely made my night. You're my boy, Chase!

 

[ManuForever]

Just started watching in 2008 so this is what I got:

1. Anthony Davis
2. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
3. De'Aaron Fox
4. Darius Miller
5. KAT

These obviously aren't the best players in the time that i've watched, and I picked my Top 5 from seeing them in their time with the program. MKG and Miller were all-hustle guys in their time at UK and that's why they're up there. Kentucky has all the talent in the world year in and year out but not all of them have the heart and hustle and dedication to win that I saw from these 5 players.