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30 greatest college basketball players this century

By Cody Williams

NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 23: J.J. Redick #4 of the Duke Blue Devils walks down the court during their Preseason NIT game against the Drexel Dragons at Madison Square Garden on November 23, 2005 in New York City. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)
NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 23: J.J. Redick #4 of the Duke Blue Devils walks down the court during their Preseason NIT game against the Drexel Dragons at Madison Square Garden on November 23, 2005 in New York City. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images) /
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SAN ANTONIO, TX – APRIL 2: Jalen Brunson #1 of the Villanova Wildcats soaks in the moment after defeating the Michigan Wolverines during the 2018 NCAA Men’s Final Four Championship game at the Alamodome on April 2, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX – APRIL 2: Jalen Brunson #1 of the Villanova Wildcats soaks in the moment after defeating the Michigan Wolverines during the 2018 NCAA Men’s Final Four Championship game at the Alamodome on April 2, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/NCAA Photos via Getty Images) /

25. Jalen Brunson, Villanova (2015-2018)

  • 2018 Wooden Award Winner
  • 2-Time National Champion
  • 2018 Consensus First-Team All-American
  • 2018 Big East Player of the Year

There’s no doubt that Jalen Brunson earned his keep as an individual performer throughout his three years with the Villanova Wildcats. The most recent exit from the realm of college basketball to appear on this list, the guard thrived throughout his time playing under Jay Wright, getting better each season and starting all but one of the 116 games that he played in for the Wildcats.

During his freshman season, though he was the starter, Brunson was part of a backcourt platoon that ultimately led to him playing just 24 minutes per game. In that season, he still put up fine numbers with averages of 9.6 points, 2.5 assists and 1.8 rebounds. What’s more, he captured his first National Championship in that season. The following year with more playing time (31.1 minutes per), Brunson improved with 14.7 points, 4.1 assists and 2.6 rebounds per game.

However, Brunson won the Wooden Award as a junior for a reason, putting forth averages of 18.9 points, 4.6 assists and 3.1 boards per game. While he certainly had a loaded Villanova team around him, he was the clear leader for the Wildcats as they went on to win their second championship in Brunson’s time there.

With that kind of team success and him playing such a big part in it, Brunson is a no-brainer inclusion on this list as he should go down as one of the best since 2000.