Best NCAA basketball players ever from every state

Rhode Island: Marvin Barnes

There are two great debates when it comes to Rhode Island; 1) Lobster Ravioli or Clam Cakes, 2) Ernie DiGregorio of Marvin Barnes. While ten players have made it into the NBA from the state, the collegiate standouts are the two aforementioned.

Just like the lobster ravioli and the clam cakes, both these players could be found in Rhode Island during their college playing days. Both spent three years suiting up for the Friars, two of those years as teammates. Their best year together was the 1972-73 season when they lost in the National Semi-Final game. A tournament that DiGregorio made All-Tournament team whereas Barnes made All-Region. During their two years together they split the years in leading the team in scoring, DiGregorio led Providence the year prior to Barnes arriving.

With Digregorio at 6’0 playing guard, the Friars needed some rebounding and the 6’8 Barnes would supply that. This is what makes comparing these players so difficult. While playing together DiGregorio averaged one point more,  six assists more and shot 14 percent better from the free-throw line. Barnes grabbed 14 more boards and shot nine percent better from the field. Two teammates playing their role for the betterment of the team.

They would both be named All-American first team, but Barnes had to wait until it was just him on the Friars. Barnes would also lead his team to the tournament while averaging 22 and 18, something DiGregornio was not able to do without Barnes, although Barnes did have the help of two additional future NBA picks. In the end, Barnes’ contribution to the team was exactly what the Friars needed to make them national contenders, and his almost 21 and 18 career average while hitting more than half his shots makes him the top college player born in Rhode Island.