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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Michigan State basketball all-time starting lineup

Michigan State star Earvin “Magic” Johnson (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

Michigan: Earvin Johnson

Just the mere mention of these three Michigan born players will conjure up unforgettable moments that will make you want to give them the distinction of ‘best from Michigan’. Those names are Shane Battier, Chris Webber and Magic Johnson, make your pick.

Your preference might depend on when you watched college basketball. For two years Johnson played in East Lansing and averaged 17 points, eight assists and seven rebounds. The year that he beat Larry Bird and Indiana State for the National Championship he averaged 22 points and 10 assists, with over two steals and hit 52 percent from the field and 89 percent from the charity stripe. Magic would be named Most Outstanding Player of the tournament, enough to compensate for losing the National Player of the Year award race to the best player to be born in Indiana.

Battier also surpassed his regular-season career stats when it mattered most. In his 15 tournament games, he averaged 19 points, seven rebounds, two assists, over one steal plus blocked over two shots for good measure. Those types of stats led him to be named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player, the same year he won five of the six National Player of the Year awards and was named National Defensive Player of the Year for the third time.

Chris Webber stayed in state and attended Michigan for two years, losing alongside the other members of the Fab Five in the title game twice. Webber would be selected to the All-Tournament team both years while averaging 18 points, 10 rebounds with almost three blocks. Webber, like Magic, before he would be named first-team All-American, whereas Battier was named twice.

If you were unsure of your decision prior, you may be torn now. Magic’s stats are slightly better, Battier has the Player of the Year Awards, but his toughest competition was his teammate Jay Williams. If Bird was not around Magic would have a Player of the Year award himself, and if Magic was not around Battier would be the best Michigan born player in the NCAA.