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Best NCAA basketball players ever from every state

By Trevor Sinodhinos

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)
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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Syracuse basketball
(Photo by Rich Barnes/Getty Images) /

Alabama: Derrick Coleman

If all the entries are going to be this difficult, then this is will be hard to write and extremely interesting to read. This first discussion will not include Robert Horry or Eric Bledsoe but will include Charles Barkley for one reason; he is a basketball Hall of Famer whose college career happens to be not that outstanding.

Like the other two players under consideration for top Alabama born player, Barkley had no problem obtaining conference awards. As he averaged 14 points and almost 10 rebounds during his three years at Auburn, the Player of the Year and Tournament MVP were awarded to him by the Southeastern Conference.

Whereas DeMarcus Cousins not only made All-SEC teams and All-SEC tournaments teams and was SEC Freshman of the Year, he was also an All-American second team, despite his 15 and 10 average stat line being arguably better than first-team selections Sherron Collins and Wes Johnson. In addition, his 14 points and eight rebounds on 74 percent shooting from the field had him selected to the NCAA All-Region team during the 2010 tournament.

The most notable and widely known player during his time in the NCAA, however, is Derrick Coleman. Over his 143 games in four seasons with Syracuse, Coleman won pretty much every Big East award and made pretty much every Big East team possible. His accolades, however, were not limited to just his conference. The 1989-90 season saw Coleman average 18 points, 12 rebounds and three assists while shooting 55 percent, which earned him a first-team All-American selection.

His 10 and 12 scoring average in the tournament as a freshman earned him a spot on the NCAA All-Tournament team. Being compared to the best players in the nation is evidence enough to say Coleman is the best college player from Alabama.