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) /

6 of 50

(Photo by John Sciulli/Getty Images for Fulfillment Fund) /

California: Bill Walton

Today there are about 39.5 inhabitants in the state of California, and if you conduct a poll, most, if not all would name Bill Walton as the greatest college player to come out of California. With Hall of Famers Gary Payton, Jason Kidd, and Paul Pierce tracing their origins to California, there would normally be just cause to compare and contrast stats and awards won. In this instance, knowing what ‘Big Red’ accomplished over three seasons at UCLA, there is no reason to discuss the other greats.

Between 1971 and 1974 only four U.S. men’s college basketball national player of the year awards were in existence, over his three-season Bill Walton won 11 of the 12, with only David Thompson winning the AP Player of the Year in 1973-74, when he averaged 30 points and eight rebounds while shooting 54 percent, whereas, Walton averaged 19 points, 15 rebounds and shot 66 percent

Walton’s career totals at UCLA total 87 games with 20 points per game and almost 16 rebounds. Blocks were not an official stat during his tenure, but it would have only solidified him as a three-time Consensus All-American, three-time All-Tournament Team member, and two-time Tournament Most Outstanding Player.

When your fellow All-Americans are Bob McAdoo, Ernie Digregorio, and David Thompson, yet you are named the top player in college basketball, it is no surprise that even when your fellow state born players are Hall of Famers; Gary Payton, Jason Kidd, and Paul Pierce, that you are the best college player from California.