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Best freshmen in NCAA Tournament history
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Best freshmen in NCAA Tournament history

 
1 of 27

Carmelo Anthony, Syracuse (2003)

Carmelo Anthony, Syracuse (2003)
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Set the freshman scoring record? Check. Record a double-double in each Final Four game? Check. Win Most Outstanding Player and a national championship? Check and check. Carmelo Anthony did it all for Syracuse in 2003, leading Jim Boeheim to his first and only NCAA Tournament title. His remarkable run was highlighted by a 33-point, 14-rebound performance vs. Texas in the semifinals, followed by a 20-point, 10-rebound, seven-assist game in the Finals. Carmelo Anthony's lone NCAA Tournament appearance is the standard-bearer for freshmen, period.

 
2 of 27

Arnie Ferrin, Utah (1944)

Arnie Ferrin, Utah (1944)
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While many people credit Michigan's famed Fab Five as beginning the starting five freshmen trend, Utah actually did it way back in the '40s. The "Blitz Kids," as they were known, were led by Arnie Ferrin, who became the first freshman to ever win MOP. His 22 points in the title game were key in Utah edging Dartmouth in overtime.

 
3 of 27

Pervis Ellison, Louisville (1986)

Pervis Ellison, Louisville (1986)
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In 1986, Pervis Ellison became just the second freshman ever to win the NCAA Tournament's MOP, leading Louisville to the championship. Ellison, who averaged 15.5 points and 9.5 points in the tourney, saved his best for last. He had a game-high 25 points and 11 rebounds in Louisville's three-point victory vs. Duke, proving Mr. "Never Nervous" wasn't afraid of the bright lights.

 
4 of 27

Anthony Davis, Kentucky (2012)

Anthony Davis, Kentucky (2012)
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Unlike the freshmen MOP before him, Anthony Davis didn't earn those honors by scoring boatloads of points. In fact, in Kentucky's national championship-clinching victory, he netted just six. Yet he was able to give John Calipari his first and only title by owning the paint. Davis averaged 15 rebounds and 5.5 blocks in the Final Four and had double-digit rebounds in every tournament game except Kentucky's first, in which he still nabbed nine. Thanks to his insane rebounding and defense, "The Brow" took home MOP and the national championship.

 
5 of 27

Tyus Jones, Duke (2015)

Tyus Jones, Duke (2015)
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After a relatively quiet start, Tyus Jones stepped it up in the later rounds for the Blue Devils, and he most definitely put on his best performance in the final game. In Duke's matchup vs. Wisconsin in the title game, Jones netted a game-high 23 points to propel the Blue Devils past the Badgers. For his efforts, Jones took home MOP.

 
6 of 27

Mike Bibby, Arizona (1997)

Mike Bibby, Arizona (1997)
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Truth be told, the only thing preventing Bibby from superseding any of the already mentioned freshmen is the fact his teammate Miles Simon took home MOP instead of him. Bibby was fantastic in Arizona's 1997 championship season, averaging 18 points a game in the tournament, including back-to-back outstanding showings at the Final Four. Against a UNC squad that included guys named Vince Carter, Antawn Jamison and Ed Cota, Bibby recorded 20 points, seven rebounds and four assists in the semis. He then had 19 points, nine boards and four assists in the title game against Kentucky, leading Lute Olson to his first title.

 
7 of 27

Derrick Rose, Memphis (2008)

Derrick Rose, Memphis (2008)
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Derrick Rose flashed his future NBA MVP potential as a freshman at Memphis. Rose led John Calipari’s Memphis team to the national championship game, where the Tigers were one miraculous Mario Chalmers shot away from becoming champs. In the Final Four, Rose had 43 points, 15 rebounds and 12 assists, but the team was not able to overcome its poor foul shooting in the final, ultimately losing to Kansas in a classic.

 
8 of 27

Mark Aguirre, DePaul (1979)

Mark Aguirre, DePaul (1979)
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It's easy to forget Mark Aguirre's dominant performance in 1979, given it was the birth of the Bird-Magic rivalry. What people forget is the freshman from DePaul almost prevented that famous Michigan State-Indiana State final from taking place, as DePaul lost a close battle to Bird's squad in the semifinals. For his part, Aguirre was named to the All-Tournament Team, thanks to his 53 points and 19 rebounds in the Final Four.

 
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Patrick Ewing, Georgetown (1982)

Patrick Ewing, Georgetown (1982)
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Patrick Ewing and John Thompson's Hoyas were the talk of college basketball in the 1980s, and it all began in Ewing's freshman season. While Georgetown couldn't overcome North Carolina and some other freshman named Jordan in the title game, Ewing was the most dominant player in the tournament. He intimidated opponents on both ends, sending shots back on defense, scoring at will on offense and cleaning up every rebound in sight.

 
10 of 27

Michael Jordan, North Carolina (1982)

Michael Jordan, North Carolina (1982)
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Despite his stats as the GOAT in the NBA, Michael Jordan wasn't "the man" at UNC as a freshman. That distinction belonged to James Worthy, the tournament's MOP, and Sam Perkins. But the freshman Jordan did average 17 points during the Final Four and hit the first of his many high-profile, game-winning shots, putting a dagger in the heart of Georgetown with his title-clinching jumper. The shot is an iconic one for both Jordan and legendary coach Dean Smith, who won the first of his two championships thanks to Jordan's shot.

 
11 of 27

Toby Bailey, UCLA (1995)

Toby Bailey, UCLA (1995)
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Jim Harrick's champion Bruins were led by the O'Bannon brothers, specifically tournament MOP Ed O'Bannon. But the Bruins wouldn't have cut down the nets without freshman Toby Bailey, who used his athleticism and smarts to ignite UCLA. After starting point guard Tyus Edney injured himself in the title game vs. Nolan Richardson's "40 Minutes of Hell" Arkansas team, Bailey stepped in to score 26 points and nab nine rebounds, propelling UCLA to the title.

 
12 of 27

Greg Oden, Ohio State (2007)

Greg Oden, Ohio State (2007)
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While it's easy to mock the Portland Trail Blazers for passing on Kevin Durant to take Greg Oden, it's easy to see why they opted for the big man from Ohio State given his freshman credentials. Oden, with the help of fellow freshman Mike Conley, led Ohio State all the way to the title game by racking up a slew of double-doubles, including a dominant 25-point, 13-rebound performance in the final game. Unfortunately, Ohio State ran in to the defending champion Florida Gators, who won their second consecutive title on the backs of Corey Brewer, Joakim Noah and Al Horford.

 
13 of 27

Mike Conley Jr., Ohio State (2007)

Mike Conley Jr., Ohio State (2007)
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Teaming up with high school teammate and fellow freshman Greg Oden, Mike Conley Jr. ran the show for a Buckeyes squad that lost in the final to Florida. Conley averaged 17 points during the Final Four and showed the type of handle, shooting and aggressiveness that's made him one of the most underrated point guards in the NBA. Like Oden, Conley left Ohio State following his freshman season, leaving an imprint on the program that still resonates.

 
14 of 27

Gene Banks, Duke (1978)

Gene Banks, Duke (1978)
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Duke was not the national power it is today in the 1970s, but the Blue Devils made an impression in 1978, making it all the way to the championship game. How? Freshman Gene Banks. He averaged a double-double in the tournament, but the Blue Devils were denied by Kentucky in the title game.

 
15 of 27

Derrick Coleman, Syracuse (1987)

Derrick Coleman, Syracuse (1987)
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While D.C. wasn't able to do what Carmelo Anthony did for Jim Boeheim, he came close in 1987. Coleman was a monster on the glass for Syracuse, averaging 15.5 boards in the Final Four and helping lead Cuse to the title game, where it lost by a single point to Bob Knight's Indiana squad. It was Coleman's introduction to college basketball and one that eventually saw him become the No. 1 pick in the 1990 NBA Draft.

 
16 of 27

Chris Webber, Michigan (1992)

Chris Webber, Michigan (1992)
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The famed leader of the Fab Five, Chris Webber was a force from the jump, leading the Wolverines to the NCAA title game in his first season. Minus the regional semifinal game against Oklahoma St. in which he played just 18 minutes, Webber averaged 18.8 points and 10.8 rebounds, recording a double-double in four games, including each Final Four game. However, Webber and the Fab Five were stopped by MOP Christian Laettner and the Duke Blue Devils in the title game, giving Coach K his first title.

 
17 of 27

Ron Mercer, Kentucky (1996)

Ron Mercer, Kentucky (1996)
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If not the best player, Ron Mercer was Kentucky's second best on Rick Pitino's 1996 national title squad. In the Finals vs. Syracuse, Mercer netted 20 points and used his athleticism to electrify the Wildcats on their run.

 
18 of 27

Gerry McNamara, Syracuse (2003)

Gerry McNamara, Syracuse (2003)
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Melo wasn't the only star freshman on the Orange's 2003 championship team. Gerry McNamara was the sharpshooter who averaged 18.5 points and shot 50 percent from three in the Final Four, saving his best two games for his last two games.

 
19 of 27

Reggie Williams, Georgetown (1984)

Reggie Williams, Georgetown (1984)
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While Patrick Ewing deservedly took home MOP in 1984 as Georgetown won the national championship and John Thompson became the first African-American coach to accomplish that feat, a pair of freshmen were integral to making that happen. Reggie Williams was one of them. He scored 19 points, had seven rebounds and chipped in three assists vs. Houston to help overcome Phi Slama Jama.

 
20 of 27

Michael Graham, Georgetown (1984)

Michael Graham, Georgetown (1984)
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Teaming with Reggie Williams, Graham netted 14 points and added five rebounds against Houston to help Georgetown to the title. He also came up big in the semis, and his play, along with Williams, took pressure of MOP Patrick Ewing.

 
21 of 27

Sean Higgins, Michigan (1989)

Sean Higgins, Michigan (1989)
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The 1989 Michigan Wolverines belonged to Glen Rice, but freshman Sean Higgins was integral to Steve Fisher's team winning it all. Higgins hit a buzzer-beater put-back in the semis vs. Illinois to push Michigan to the Finals. He also had a huge 31-point outburst in the regional final and scored in double figures in both Final Four contests.

 
22 of 27

Luol Deng, Duke (2004)

Luol Deng, Duke (2004)
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The Blue Devils came up just short of yet another title in 2004 thanks in no small part to freshman Luol Deng. Deng was Duke's leading scoring, taking the Blue Devils to the title game, where he had 16 points and 12 rebounds in a losing effort to UConn.

 
23 of 27

Jalen Rose, Michigan (1992)

Jalen Rose, Michigan (1992)
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While Chris Webber was the best player and Jimmy King the wing threat, point guard Jalen Rose ran the show and gave the Fab Five its bravado. Rose was masterful in orchestrating an unselfish quintet of freshmen, playing the role of facilitator, scorer and resident trash talker. He also had games of 19 points and eight assists, 19 and 10, 25 and 11, and 20 and four in the tourney.

 
24 of 27

Juwan Howard, Michigan (1992)

Juwan Howard, Michigan (1992)
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Juwan Howard scored at least 10 points in all but one tournament game, helping the Fab Five reach the title game in his freshman campaign. He also was the quiet heart of the Wolverines; the calming influence of the brash bunch. Unfortunately his lowest-scoring game came in the final game vs. Duke, where the Wolverines were thwarted from winning it all.

 
25 of 27

Jimmy King, Michigan (1992)

Jimmy King, Michigan (1992)
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Jimmy King averaged 14.5 points for the Fab Five in 1992, and his play forced Steve Fisher to start the freshman alongside blue-chip recruits Chris Webber, Juwan Howard and Jalen Rose. He did not disappoint and was integral to getting to the title game, scoring 17 points in the semis vs. Cincinnati.

 
26 of 27

Zion Williamson, Duke (2019)

Zion Williamson, Duke (2019)
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Duke did not make the Final Four in 2019, but it did have a pair of freshmen lead it to the Elite Eight. One of them, of course, was phenom Zion Williamson, who averaged an absurd 26 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.8 blocks and 1.5 steals in his four tourney games while shooting nearly 62 percent from the field. His tournament was highlighted by a 32-point, 11-rebound performance in a victory vs. UCF to reach the Sweet 16.

 
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R.J. Barrett, Duke (2019)

R.J. Barrett, Duke (2019)
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Like his freshman teammate Zion Williamson, Barrett also averaged more than 20 points in the tournament, putting up 20.3 points, eight rebounds and six assists per contest. He started out with a bang too, putting up 26 points and 14 boards in Duke's victory vs. North Dakota St. to get the tournament rolling for the Blue Devils.

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