Best NCAA basketball players from every state

Best NCAA basketball players ever from every state

HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT - MARCH 23: Ja Morant #12 of the Murray State Racers attempts a free throw against the Florida State Seminoles in the second half during the second round of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at XL Center on March 23, 2019 in Hartford, Connecticut. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

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OMAHA, NE – MARCH 23: Marvin Bagley III #35 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts against the Syracuse Orange during the first half in the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Midwest Regional at CenturyLink Center on March 23, 2018 in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

Highlighting the best NCAA basketball players from every state in the country. Some states were more difficult than others, but every state has a debate about who their best college basketball player is.

In 1893 there was just the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Geneva Golden Tornadoes. When 2019-20 abruptly ended, while simultaneously putting the world of sports in perspective, there were 353 NCAA Division I basketball teams. In the history of NCAA Division I basketball, there have been 480 different teams. With an average roster of 11-13 guys dressing each game, the number of players to participate is some kind of math I am unable to do. The point is, there are a lot of players to sift through in order to find the best from each state.

The fear of missing somebody obvious was constantly present and compounded by the fear of creating a list strictly of players that ‘everybody knows are great’ and missing out on a lesser name but better player. There is the struggle among; best stats, the most celebrated and best player. In order to compile the bank of players that should at least be considered, I began with all the Player of the Year winners. which in itself was difficult because as of 1977 there were six different organizations that named their Player of the Year. Then every All-American selection was noted and every number one NBA draft pick.

In order to distinguish the best from those players, factors had to be weighed. Early years versus later years, centers versus guards, stats vs. championships was another. At times players from different eras played with different rules, there are a lot more awards handed out today than in the 60s. At one point, no matter how good you were if you played with or against Kareem he won all the awards. Those who played for an independent school cannot be forgotten that they had no opportunity to win conference awards.

Each state has two or three players that anybody can make an argument for, I provided the stats and the accolades that I used to make my decision. You can use them too, in order to determine the best college player from each state.