College Basketball: Top 25 players of the 21st century

25. David West – F, Xavier

The Musketeers’ big man at the turn of the century was a force to be reckoned with in college. He averaged double-digit points in each of his four seasons at Xavier and got better every year. He was a dominant post player on both ends of the court. His senior year was his best season as he was named the AP Player of the Year and First Team All-American. He was a three-time Atlantic 10 Player of the Year.

Best Season: 2002-03 (20.1 PPG, 11.8 RPG, 3.2 APG, 1.6 SPG)

24. Michael Beasley – F, Kansas State

Beasley was only in college basketball for one season, but he made the most of it. He was a dominant scorer for the Wildcats and put together one of the more dominant seasons in college basketball history. As a freshman he was named the Big 12 Player of the Year and was First Team All-American. Rarely has a freshman big man had such a dominant impact on college basketball.

Best Season: 2007-08 (26.2 PPG, 12.4 RPG, 1.2 APG, 1.6 BPG)

23. Alando Tucker – F, Wisconsin

The Badgers’ most dynamic scorer in team history was in Madison for a total of five years. He holds the school record for points with 2217 over the course of his career. He averaged at least 19 points in his junior and senior seasons and was named Big Ten Player of the Year as a senior. He was also a consensus First Team All-American and took home the Senior CLASS Award. He could find way to score as well as anyone.

Best Season: 2006-07 (19.9 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 2.0 APG, 0.9 SPG)

22. Chris Paul – G, Wake Forest

Paul spent only two years at Wake Forest, but still managed to make a big enough of a difference that his No. 3 jersey is now retired by the university. In his sophomore year he was named First Team All-American and was regarded as one of the most athletic and best shooting players in the ACC conference. Both seasons he led the NCAA in steals per game and his athletic ability is still missed at Wake Forest.

Best Season: 2004-05 (15.3 PPG, 6.6 APG, 4.5 RPG, 2.4 SPG)

21. T.J. Ford – G, Texas

Like Chris Paul, Ford spent only two years playing college ball. But by the end of his second season he was the top player in the country. He took home the 2003 Naismith College Player of the Year award and named First Team All-American. He was one of the top two-way players in college basketball in his playing days from the very beginning as he was named Big 12 Freshman of the Year in 2001-02.

Best Season: 2002-03 (15.0 PPG, 7.7 APG, 3.9 RPG, 2.0 SPG)