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) /

7 of 50

NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 07: Souvenir basketballs are displayed for sale at the New York Life 2017 ACC Tournament logo at center court at Barclays Center on March 7, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) /

Colorado: Ronnie Shavlik

41 years separate Ronnie Shavlik’s and Chauncey Billups’ final seasons playing on a college court. Such a vast difference makes comparing two athletes a difficult task. It is, however, a practice that must be done in order to determine the best collegiate player to be born in Colorado.

Over his three playing seasons at NC State Shavlik was named to an All-American first team and second team. Billups made an All-American second team during his two seasons at Colorado. Shavlik made multiple All-ACC teams, ACC tournament teams, and was an ACC Tournament MVP, Billups, on the other hand, made an All-Big 12 team.

Not a lot of stock can be placed into those tournament teams as there were just eight teams in the ACC in the mid-50s, whereas Billups was competing against eleven other teams in the mid-90s. Even the stats that ultimately place Shavlik ahead of Billups must be explained. Shavlik’s best season averages for each stat category was 22 points, 18 rebounds with a 40 percent success rate from the field. While those are more impressive than Billups’ 19-5-5 and 41 percent from the field, not all things were equal.

Aside from the obvious rules of the shot clock and three-point line not being in existence while Shavlik played there were also rules that were not in play that complicates the comparison process. The 6-foot-8 Shavlik played in a time when ‘away from the ball fouls’ were not whistled, offensive goaltending was allowed and Shavlik only played three seasons because freshmen were not eligible to play until 1972.

Additional rules typically make the game easier to play, Shavlik’s usage rate would surely be a lot lower when an opponent would be allowed to hold a 22 point scorer away from the ball. The lack of a shot clock reduced the pace of play substantially as well. These, however, are all assumptions, the only fact we have is Shavlik’s numbers are fantastic even for a much earlier era of basketball. Even though it is difficult to compare careers that are separated by 41 years, it is necessary to anoint Shavlik the greatest Colorado-born college basketball player.