The 25 greatest men's basketball players in Big Ten history

Before Wooden established himself as a legendary coach known as the "Wizard of Westwood," with those 10 national championships at UCLA, he was a star in the pre-NCAA days. Wooden earned All-Big Ten, All-Midwestern, and first-team All-American honors as a Boilermaker. He was the school's first consensus national player of the year and is a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame -- as a player. A statue of Wooden is located on the Purdue campus.

A focal point of "The Whiz Kids," Illinois' famed squad that featured fellow program legends Ken Menke, Gene Vance, Jack Smiley , and Art Mathisen. Phillip was a first-team All-Big Ten selection every season with the Illini and won national player of the year honors in 1943, when he averaged 17 points. Phillip, a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, was a two-time All-American before serving in World War II. 

The 6-foot-9 Schlundt has earned legendary Hoosiers status while playing for Branch McCracken's teams. He was a consensus All-American who left Indiana as the school's career scoring leader with 2,192 points and helped the program win its second national championship in 1953. As far as Indiana big men go, there aren't many considered better than Schlundt, who was a three-time, all-Big Ten first-team selection, earned All-American status on three occasions, and was inducted into the school's athletics Hall of Fame.

When debating the greatest player in Big Ten basketball history, Lucas is certainly in the conversation. In his first college varsity season, Lucas averaged 26.3 points and 16.4 rebounds in helping the Buckeyes win the 1960 national championship. In 1960-61, the 6-foot-8 Lucas averaged 24.9 points with 17.4 boards to earn NCAA Player of the Year honors, an achievement he repeated in '61-'62 for averaging 21.8 points and 17.8 rebounds. The only three-time Big Ten Player of the Year, Lucas was also a three-time, first-team All-American, leading the nation in field-goal percentage each season. His career 62.4-percent shooting remains a school record, while his 1,411 rebounds are also a program record. 

Following a brief stay at Kentucky, Bradds returned to his home state and was a two-time All-American for the Buckeyes. Playing alongside John Havlicek, Jerry Lucas, and Bobby Knight during his career, the 6-8 Bradds was a true force — especially during his junior and senior campaigns. In 1962-63, Bradds, a two-time, first-team all-Big Ten pick, averaged 28 points and 13 rebounds, setting the table for a stellar senior campaign, where he averaged 30.6 points and scored at least 40 in four straight games. He also pulled down an average of 13.4 boards while earning national player of the year honors. Bradds' 735 points from 1963-64 are second-most in school history, while he owns the top two highest-scoring games at Ohio State with 49 and 48 points.

Russell is often considered the best player in the history of Michigan basketball. He fueled the Wolverines' success during the mid-1960s, while also being one of college basketball's great superstars and Michigan's all-time leader, averaging 27.1 points. During the 1965-66 season, Russell averaged 30.8 points to win national player of the year honors. Russell is one of five Michigan players to score more than 2,000 career points -- ranking fifth with 2,164. The two-time All-American, who also totaled 676 career rebounds, is the only player in Michigan history to have his number retired. 

Mount was a star before he first set foot on the court as a Boilermaker. Indiana Mr. Basketball in 1966, Mount holds the distinction of being the first high school player to grace the cover of Sports Illustrated. Known as "The Rocket," Mount helped the Boilermakers reach the Final Four and national title game in 1969 and scored a school-record 61 points against Iowa as a senior. A two-time first-team All-American and winner of the Big Ten Silver Basketball, Mount was Purdue's career leader for points (2,323) until 2024, and his 32.3 points per game is the best in school history.

Benson certainly left his mark as a Hoosier -- and within the league -- before enjoying a successful NBA career. Not only was the 6-11 post-presence a star of Indiana's 32-0 team (and Most Outstanding Player of the 1976 Final Four) under Bobby Knight, but Benson was a two-time All-American and the 1977 Big Ten Player of the Year, when he averaged career-highs of 19.8 points and 10.5 rebounds -- with Quinn Buckner and Scott May both gone. Benson ranks ninth in school history with 1,740 career points and third in career rebounds with 1,031.

No doubt, Magic is the most prominent and popular player to come out of the Spartans program. Johnson's time at Michigan State lasted just two seasons, but he was clearly a major reason the program won its first national title in 1979, defeating Larry Bird and Indiana State in what's considered one of the grand finals of all time. Johnson finished with 24 points with seven rebounds and five assists in the title game, and he was named Final Four Most Outstanding Player. Johnson's 17.1 career scoring average and 491 assists both rank among the all-time leaders in school history.

Carroll is one of two Boilermakers with at least 1,000 rebounds (1,148). He averaged 9.3 for his career and is also their all-time leader with 349 blocks. Oh yeah, Carroll could score the basketball, as well. He sits thirdon the school's career list with 2,175 points and averaged 17.7 for his career. Carroll was a two-time All-Big Ten first-teamer and a consensus All-American on the 1979-80 campaign when he helped lead the Boilermakers to the Final Four.

Arguably, Indiana's most famous star, despite playing just two seasons. Of course, one of those seasons (1980-81) resulted in the Hoosiers winning a national championship. Thomas' Indiana tenure under coach Bob Knight wasn't always easy, but by his sophomore season, respect was earned between the two. In his final season, Thomas averaged 16.0 points, 5.8 assists, and was the '81 NCAA Tournament's Most Outstanding Player. In his two Indiana seasons, Thomas shot 53.4 percent. 

Following the footsteps of Isiah Thomas, Alford seemed destined to enjoy the level of success he did with the Hoosiers. Indiana Mr. Basketball from New Castle, Alford was a two-time consensus All-American, three-time all-conference first-team selection, the Big Ten's Most Valuable Player in 1987, and leader of that 1986-87 national championship group. Alford's 2,438 career points rank second in school history (19.5 ppg). He shot 53.3 percent for his college career and went 107-of-202 (53 percent) from 3-point range in his final season. Alford also recorded 385 assists and 345 rebounds.

Michigan's all-time leading scorer with 2,442 points -- and a national champion. Rice, who averaged 17.9 points in his career, was the Big Ten Player of the Year in 1988-89, and averaged 30.7 points and went 27-of-49 from 3-point range in the NCAA Tournament to earn Most Outstanding Player honors during the Wolverines' improbable run to their only national championship. Rice's 51.6-percent 3-point shooting as a senior is the best in school history, and his 48.0 career percentage from beyond the arc ranks second. 

Jackson started 93 games during his three seasons at Ohio State and ranks among the school's top 10 in career scoring (1,785 points). The Big Ten Freshman of the Year and two-time league player of the year and twice-named first-team All-American, Jackson was named College Player of the Year by the UPI for his 1991-92 season. During that year, Jackson averaged career highs of 22.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 4.0 assists before taking his act to the NBA. 

Cheaney should be remembered less for his involvement in the whipping incident with coach Bob Knight during a practice session at the 1992 NCAA Tournament than for his stellar on-court career. When his four-year career at Indiana finished, he was the Big Ten's all-time leading scorer with 2,613 points, and he still holds the distinction. Cheaney, who averaged 19.8 points, while shooting 55.9 percent, and 5.4 rebounds for his career, was the national player of the year in 1993, when he was also named Big Ten Player of the Year. 

Affectionately known as "Big Dog." Robinson made the most of his two seasons at Purdue. As a sophomore in 1993-94, Robinson averaged a national-best 30.3 points (school-record 1,030 points) and 10.1 rebounds to be named both The Associated Press, Naismith, and Big Ten Player and Athlete of the Year. Overall, for the Boilermakers, Robinson, a two-time, first-team All-Big Ten selection, averaged 27.5 points and 9.7 boards.

A three-year captain, Cleaves was the undisputed leader of the Spartans' 2000 national title-winning group. He was a two-time Big Ten Player of the Year (1998, '99), first-team All-American (1999), and the Final Four's Most Outstanding Player of the Year from 2000. While Cleaves averaged 12.5 points for his career, he's the school's all-time steals leader (195) and ranks second with 816 assists. 

When it comes to versatility, Turner seemingly did it all at the college level. After 101 games spanning three seasons, Turner totaled 1,517 points and 682 rebounds, and ranks among the school's all-time top 10 for assists (414) and steals (159). In his final season of 2009-10, Turner, a two-time all-conference first-teamer, averaged career highs of 20.4 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 6.0 assists while being named Big Ten and National Player of the Year.

Green was a freshman during Michigan State's run to the national championship game, and again a key reserve as a sophomore when he averaged 9.9 points, 7.7. boards, and 3.0 assists to be named Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year. Green became a star as an upperclassman. As a senior in 2011-12, he was named Big Ten Player of the Year for averaging 16.2 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 3.8 assists. He's the school's career rebounding leader with 1,096 and second in steals with 180. Green also resides among the Spartans' top 10 with 117 blocked shots.

No doubt Wisconsin has produced some stars, but Kaminsky is the only Badger to be named College Basketball Player of the Year by The Associated Press. That came at the end of the 2014-15 season, when he averaged 18.8 points, on 54.7-percent shooting, 8.2 rebounds and 2.6 assists -- all career highs -- while leading Wisconsin to the national championship game. Another two-time Big Ten Player of the Year, Kaminsky totaled more than 1,400 points, 650 rebounds, and 150 assists during 144 collegiate contests.

Valentine progressed each season during his four-year career at Michigan State, culminating with The Associated Press and Big Ten Player of the Year honors as a senior in 2015-16. During that campaign, Valentine averaged 19.2 points on 46.2 percent shooting, 7.8 assists, and 7.5 rebounds. For his career, Valentine totaled 1,645 points and ranks among the top 10 in Michigan State history with 265 made 3-pointers, assists (639), and rebounds (856). 

Burke spent just two seasons at Michigan, playing 73 games, but he certainly left his mark in Ann Arbor. He joins Cazzie Russell as the only Wolverines to win national player of the year honors. For Burke, that came in the 2012-13 season, when he averaged 18.6 points on 46.3-percent shooting (38.4 percent from 3-point range), 6.7 assists, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.6 steals while helping Michigan to a 31-8 record and spot in the national championship game. He scored 24 during that 82-76 title-game loss to Louisville. Burke, also the Big Ten Player of the Year in 2013, ranks among the school's all-time top 10 with 416 steals.

Garza got better each season during the four seasons he spent at Iowa. As a senior in 2020-21, there was no doubt he was the best individual college basketball player in America. The 6-foot-11 Hawkeye averaged a career-high 24.1 points, while shooting 55.3 percent, and 8.7 rebounds. All good enough for him to sweep the national player of the year hardware -- Wooden Award, Naismith Award, and Player of the Year by The Associated Press. Garza, a two-time Big Ten Player of the Year (2020, '21), currently ranks within the top 10 among Big Ten players with 2,306 career points.

The all-time leading Canadian scorer in NCAA history and among all-time Boilermakers with 2,516 points (spanning 138 games for Purdue), the 7-foot-4 Edey joins legends  Bill Walton   and Ralph Sampson as the only guys to win the Naismith Award (as national player of the year) in back-to-back seasons (2023, '24). During those final two seasons for the Boilermakers, Toronto's Edey averaged a combined 23.8 points, 12.5 rebounds and 1.8 assists while recording 156 blocks and winning both the Big Ten Player of the Year and Male Athlete of the Year each campaign.

Sure, we might be getting ahead of ourselves, but Smith has been something special as he heats up in the fourth season of his NCAA career. With more than 780 assists, Smith is poised to top Cassius Winston's Big Ten record of 890 assists, and there's a chance he catches Bobby Hurley for the NCAA mark (1,076). In addition, Smith is the preseason favorite to repeat as Big Ten Player of the Year and has posted more than 1,400 points during his college career as a Boilermaker. He's started every game since stepping on campus.