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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(Photo by Steven Ryan/Icon SMI/Corbis via Getty Images) /

North Dakota: Doug McDermott

If you thought, because there are more NBA players hailing from Jamaica than from North Dakota in the history of the league, finding the one with the best collegiate career would be easy, you are correct. The only North Dakota native who stands out is Doug McDermott and his closest competitor is Mark Landsberger.

McDermott logged 145 games at Creighton, his average of 22 points per game allowed him to total 3,150 points, which is good for sixth-most all-time in the NCAA. Landsberger in his 51 games between Minnesota and Kansas State averaged 16 points per game for a grand total of 827 points. Landsberger averaged a double-double with 11 boards to McDermott’s seven.

McDermott also played in six tournament games, an opportunity Landsberger never had. McDermott made the most of his opportunity by averaging 21.5 points per game, including a 30 point 12 rebound effort versus Louisville.

McDermott’s worth on the basketball court is demonstrated by being named an All-American three times and sweeping the six organizations who hand out Player of the Year awards. No small feat to say the least from somebody who was born in Grand Forks North Dakota then went to high school in Iowa and was drafted 11th overall by the Denver Nuggets.

In the same manner that Theodore Roosevelt National Park can lay claim to being the number one tourist attraction in North Dakota, ‘Dougie Buckets’ can lay claim to being the best collegiate player from The Peace Garden State.