Fansided

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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MARCH 9: Larry Johnson #4 of the University of Las Vegas Nevada Rebels walks on the court during the NCAA Big West Tournament against The University of South Carolina Beaufort in March 9, 1991. (Photo by Stephen Wade/Getty Images)
MARCH 9: Larry Johnson #4 of the University of Las Vegas Nevada Rebels walks on the court during the NCAA Big West Tournament against The University of South Carolina Beaufort in March 9, 1991. (Photo by Stephen Wade/Getty Images) /

Texas: Larry Johnson

If you were growing up and watching NCAA basketball in the early 90s you either loved or hated UNLV and if you were that same person growing up during that same time you either loved or hated Duke.

If you were an adult and had your own mind and were able to appreciate great basketball you either hated or loved UNLV or Duke. Either way, you get the picture, those two teams were very polarizing, and in order to relive my early teenage years, the two players who are most worthy to be the best college player from Texas are Larry Johnson and Grant Hill.

Let us begin by seeing how similar they are; both were named to the All-American team twice, Hill is a two-time All-Tournament team selection, whereas Johnson was honored with that once. Johnson separates himself by winning five of the Player of the Year awards, as the Associated Press gave their award to O’Neal.

Johnson averaged over six more points in the regular season and tournaments, five more rebounds, and shot double-digits better from the field and free-throw line. Hill does have the advantage in assists, and he had one very important and famous assist to Chrisitan Laettner, even though Laettner did take a dribble and turned around which would constitute an offensive move, therefore making it simply a pass and not an assist. Either way, Grant Hill is closer to other Texans like T.J. Ford, and Trae Young than to Johnson when it comes to the best Texas-born player to play in the NCAA.