Ineligible Players That Would Complement Their Teams Perfectly

Trevor Lacey- Transfer to NC State (Old Team: Alabama)

Trevor Lacey was one of the best shooters in the SEC last year. He is now on an NC State team that would benefit from another 15+ point per game scorer behind T.J. Warren. Lacey's three-point shot is amazing, and he would be a better starting option than Desmond Lee. Another strong guard along with Cat Barber would make NC State a legitimate contender.

Jabarie Hinds- Transfer to UMASS (Old Team- West Virginia)

Hinds,who stands under 6 feet like teammate Chaz Williams, would be a deadly scoring punch of the Minutemen bench. Hinds, who has only averaged 7.4 points per game in two seasons at WVU, would not have to play the huge minutes he had to play at West Virginia at UMASS. UMASS could also go with a small lineup with Hinds, Williams, and Derrick Gordon in the backcourt, which would be a very athletic lineup. Hinds benefits mostly from his athleticism.

Sheldon McClellan- Transfer to Miami (Old Team- Texas)

McClellan would give Miami the scoring punch that the Hurricanes desperately need. McClellan averaged 12.4 points per game in two years at Texas only playing about 21 minutes per game. After Rion Brown graduates from the Hurricanes after the season, McClellan will fill in the scoring role that Brown will leave behind.

Zach Price- Transfer to Missouri (Old Team- Louisville)

Zach Price was a scrub on last years Louisville championship team, so he transferred to the Tigers. Price would complement guards Jordan Clarkson, Jabari Brown, and Earnest Ross by filling a big hole in the middle left by former centers Alex Oriahki and Laurence Bowers. When Price sees the floor next year for the Tigers, prepare for a star season.

The Deadliest Point Guards You Never Heard Of

Juwan Staten- West Virginia

West Virginia has found a hidden gem in their point guard, Juwan Staten. Staten is currently averaging 16.6 points per game, 6.5 assists per game, and 6.2 rebounds per game. The 6'1" stud had no minutes last year behind Jabarie Hinds, who transferred to UMass, so Staten is making use of the minutes he gets. His three point shot could use improvement, but other than that, Staten could land a triple-double at some point this season.

Anthony "Cat" Barber- NC State

"Cat" and his signature cornrows are giving NC State fans a taste of the bright future in Raleigh. The freshman is one of the bright spots for the Wolfpack this season. Barber is averaging 12 points per game in 28 minutes. The 8-1 NC State team needs a tough competitor, and that is just what Barber brings to the table for them.

Antoine Mason- Niagara

The reason you have never heard of Mason is because Number 14 plays for Niagara. Mason is currently leading the nation in points per game with 28.5 points per game. Mason's scoring prowess reminds some of former Niagara guard Calvin Murphy, who could also fill up the basket. The 60's guard averaged only 5 points more than Mason is right now, and their shooting percentages are almost identical. Mason has the chance to go down as another Niagara legend.

Jarvis Summers- Ole Miss

Yes, there is more to Ole Miss basketball than Marshall Henderson. Ole Miss's second leading scorer is Summers with 16.6 points per game, and Summers is shooting over 50 percent in all of the shooting categories so far. Summers is a floor commander who can hit shots and create for his teammates as well. Ole Miss could be deadly with Summers and Henderson on the floor at the same time.

5 Things We Have Learned In the College Basketball Season So Far

5. DeAndre Kane is a boss

Iowa State's DeAndre Kane has never been a great outside shooter, but he is making up for it with his spectacular all-around game. Kane is shooting a career-high 50 percent from, averaging 15.4 points per game for the undefeated Cyclones. Kane's most eye-popping number is his 8 rebounds per game for a 6'4", 200 pounds guard. Kane, along with his exceptional cast of teammates, are posing to become a threat in March.

4. SMU's Keith Frazier like Churches Chicken; Hates School

Keith Frazier has been struggling this season, and academics may be a key component in his struggles. He tweeted this yesterday about school at SMU.

"School make me wanna drop out and work at Churches Chicken"- @Keith_Frazier

One-and-done? I think so.

3. Nick Johnson Doesn't Need Hill, Lyons

Nick Johnson, the Arizona stud pictured above as Captain America with former teammates Solomon Hill(first-round draft pick) and Mark Lyons(undrafted), has exploded onto the scene, leading the Wildcats to the number 1 ranking. Johnson's supporting class is very strong this year, but a little more under- the-radar than his cast this year. Aaron Gordon, T.J. McConnell, Brandon Ashley, and Kaleb Tarczewski are a strong starting lineup with Johnson, and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Gabe York, and Jordin Mayes make up a strong bench. Johnson's ability to perform was questioned without Hill and Lyons back, but he as proved doubters wrong.

2. UMASS is Back

UMASS basketball has been on the decline for a short while, but they are back and ready to crash brackets. All five starters are averaging in double figures, including Western Kentucky transfer Derrick Gordon (above), 5'9" stud Chaz Williams, and surprise star center Cady Lalanne. The Minutemen are 8-0 and ranked 22nd in the nation with key wins over New Mexico and LSU. Behind Williams's leadership, the Minutemen has a legit shot to win the A-10 and possibly make a deep run in March.

1. Shabazz Napier is the Player of the Year

Napier is a flat out star. He does everything on the floor efficiently for the 9-0 Huskies, shooting 50% and averaging 6 assists per game. He also hit the game winning shot to beat Florida. Napier's leadership and consistency are the tale of the tape for the Huskies this season, and will be moving on.

Most Underrated Players in College Basketball

5. Jordan Clarkson- Missouri PG

This week's NCAA Player of the Week was awarded to Jordan Clarkson, who helped Missouri score victories over West Virginia and UCLA. The 6'5" point guard is also leading one of the most underrated teams in the country, the 9-0 Tigers. Clarkson is scoring 20.2 points per game and dishing out 4 assists per game. Clarkson and the NBA rookie Phil Pressey would have made a deadly backcourt if they had played together last year, but Clarkson was forced to sit out due to his transfer from Tulsa. Clarkson's athleticism and leadership make him one the better players in the country that no one has heard of.

4. Okaro White- Florida State F

White is one of the nation's more athletic players. The FSU senior has been showing off his hops for three years in Tallahassee, but now he has a nice shooting touch to go with it. White is shooting 40 percent from three and 55.1% from the floor. With Michael Snaer gone, White now has to lead his team, and what better way to do it than with energy and scoring. White has led the Seminoles to a victory over VCU and a close loss to Michigan, and he should help them contend with Duke and Syracuse in the ACC.

3. Myles Mack- Rutgers G

Mack is one of the best shooters in the country that no one has ever heard of. He is also contending for the Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award, the best player under 6 feet tall, as Mack is only 5'9". Rutgers usually gets absolutely no basketball attention, but when they did (Mike Rice scandal), Mack still got no attention. Mack can flat out shoot the basketball, and that is what he has to do at his height to make an impact for his Scarlet Knights.

2. Lamar Patterson- Pittsburgh G

Pittsburgh's Lamar Patterson took home the most recent ACC Player of the Week award, and he did for good reason. In less than 28 minutes per game, Patterson is scoring 16 points per game, snatching 5 rebounds per game, and dishing out 5 assists per game. Patterson is also effective, shooting 49 percent from the field and 42 percent from three. The Panthers are 9-0 behind Patterson's leadership, and they could make a run to crash the ACC.

1. D'Angelo Harrison- St. John's G

D' Angelo Harrison is a scoring machine. Harrison's deadly shooting touch is a key component for the Red Storm's offense. Harrison could very well lead the 6-2 Red Storm back to the NCAA Tournament, where they could make a deep run and bust some brackets. Harrison's St. John's team could crash Creighton's and Villanova's fun in the Big East Tournament as well. Harrison has a chance to compete for the Big East Player of the Year and the NCAA scoring title as well.


HONORABLE MENTION
Victor Rudd (USF F), Sindarius Thornwell (SCAR F), Roberto Nelson (OSU G), James Bell (NOVA G)

NBA D-League: Dangerous Players to Watch Out For

The NBA Development League, or D-League, is like the minor leagues in baseball. Pro players that cannot find a team in the NBA can go here, perform, and be called up on special 10-day contracts to play for their team. After the second 10-day contract, the NBA team must decide whether to sign the player to a full contract or let the player go back down to the D-League. Eric Bledsoe, Danny Green, Chris Andersen, and Lou Williams are players that have all played in the D-League. Here are a few players that are deadly and might ring a bell.

Chris Babb- Maine Red Claws

Babb, pictured here as a player for the Boston Celtics in the preseason, is now with the C's affiliate, the Maine Red Claws. Babb is a nice player with a sweet touch. His versatility has been on display with the Red Claws, as he is averaging 7.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 5 assists, a block and steal per game. Babb is also boasting a 10-to-1 assist to turnover ratio. As long as Babb continues to get minutes, he will continue to produce for the Claws.

Dee Bost- Idaho Stampede

Bost, pictured above playing in a preseason game for the Portland Trail Blazers, is playing 42 minutes per game for the Blazers affiliate, the Idaho Stampede. In these 42 minutes, Bost is producing, with 17.5 points, 5 boards, 7.5 assists, and 2 steals per game. These stats are comparable to an NBA player named John Wall. Although comparing the two leagues is unfair, Bost is still a wild horse leading the Stampede.

Aquille Carr- Delaware 87ers

Carr, the so-called "Crime Stopper" from Baltimore, is now playing a D-League team that borders his home state, the Deleware 87ers. Carr was a YouTube sensation after the 5'6" guard showed off his moves. The 20-year-old is scoring 15 points per game on 50 percent shooting from deep so far this year. Carr is using the D-League as an NBA tryout because he hasn't attended college and therefore will be eligible for the 2014 NBA Draft.

Abdul Gaddy- Maine Red Claws

Gaddy was one of the most underrated players in college basketball last year. The former Washington Huskies guard, pictured above with the Charlotte Summer League team, is very versatile. Gaddy doesn't get many minutes with the Red Claws, but can make use of them, averaging 5 points and 6.5 assist per game. When Gaddy hits his groove, he can be very deadly.

Pierre Jackson- Idaho Stampede

Pierre Jackson, drafted by the Pelicans but was never signed, is making a huge impact for the Stampede alongside Bost. The Stampede seem intent on giving minutes, because Pierre is averaging 42 minutes per game. But Jackson is dropping bombs, scoring 30.5 points per game along with 4.5 assists. The former Baylor Bear should be called up to an NBA team sometime soon, because he heats up like a microwave. Jackson makes an impact for whoever he plays for.

Kalin Lucas- Iowa Energy

Remember him? Lucas made an impact for Michigan State from 2007 to 2010, and he was signed this summer by the Chicago Bulls, but he was cut but then acquired by the Energy, the Bulls affiliate. Lucas could possibly get a call from the Bulls soon, because Derrick Rose is out for the season and Lucas is playing well. Lucas's 17.5 points and 7.5 assists are very strong, even in the D-League.

Trey McKinney-Jones- Fort Wayne Mad Ants

McKinney-Jones was signed by his hometown Milwaukee Bucks, then cut and signed by their affiliate, the Mad Ants. The former Miami Hurricane is doing what he does best for the Mad Ants: scoring. Although his three point shot is not in tact yet, he is still averaging 13.5 points per game to go along with 2 steals per game. When he finds his three-point shot, he will become even more deadly.

Romero Osby- Maine Red Claws

Osby was the Orlando Magic's last pick in the 2013 NBA Draft, and his performance should convince the Magic to resign Osby. He is averaging 14.5 points and 9.5 rebounds per game, strong for a 6'7" player. Osby has a nice shooting touch and like to bruise inside to get and-ones and hard-fought buckets. Osby is a nice compliment for Chris Babb and Abdul Gaddy in Maine.

Malcolm Thomas- Los Angeles D-Fenders

Malcolm Thomas may be the best player in the D-League. With two years of NBA experience with the Chicago Bulls, San Antonio Spurs and Golden State Warriors, Thomas has improved his game from only an inside threat to a complete post. He is averaging a mind-boggling 36 points, 18 rebounds,3 assists, 4 steals, and 3 blocks per game. The San Diego State product should get a call from some NBA team soon while he remains hot.

Top 5 College Basketball Plays So Far This Season

5. Putney's Putback

Raphiael Putney is no household name for college basketball fans, but this dunk in the Minutemen opener vs. LSU put his name in the college basketball world. The only question now is: What is with Captain America in the lower left corner?

4. Staten Island Attacks

West Virginia basketball has been on the decline, but Juwan Staten elevated over Virginia Tech's Joey Van Zegeren for this monster slam. The dunk actually didn't count due to a hand check foul, but the dunk was still insane.

3. Not In My House

Justin Jackson might want to consider a career in volleyball if this basketball thing doesn't work out.

2. We've Been Waiting For You, Aaron

We knew it was only a matter of time before Aaron Gordon showed up on the SportsCenter Top 10, and here he is doing his best Markel Brown impression.

1. Putney's Poster

Yes, Putney managed to make the list again with another incredible slam. I might start calling this The Putney Reel.

HONORABLE MENTION:

Markel Brown pulls off a 360 alley-oop slam vs. Tennessee Tech.

DISHONORABLE MENTION

The worst play of the year so far goes to James Michael McAdoo and the home fan who heckles McAdoo by singing Miley Cyrus's "Wrecking Ball", forcing McAdoo to miss the free throw.

Top 5 Backcourts in the Country

5. Notre Dame
Key Guards: Eric Atkins (below), Demetrius Jackson, Pat Connaughton

Notre Dame has an experienced  backcourt. Grant, Atkins, and Connaughton are upperclassmen, but Jackson is a freshman. Atkins is a knockdown three point shooter, shooting 38 percent from beyond the arc in 3 years. Grant never got a lot of playing time, but he is a high-volume scorer who can fill up the basket quickly. Jackson was an McDonald's All-American who should make a big impact off the bench. Connaughton is a solid player who can do it all on the floor for the Fighting Irish.

4. Michigan State
Key Guards: Keith Appling and Gary Harris (below), Travis Trice, Denzel Valentine

All of MSU's key guards have at least one year of experience under their belt. Appling is the floor general, and he finally looks like a real point guard. After averaging only 3 assists per game in three previous years, the senior is now averaging 6.2 assists per game. His best game possibly ever came against Kentucky last week, when Appling scored 25 points, snatched 8 boards, dished out 8 assists, and had 4 steals. Harris is a future NBA lottery pick with scoring and athletic potential. His shooting percentages are on the downfall, but that should be fixed soon. Trice and Valentine are defensive pests that come of the bench and hassle opponents.

3. Louisville
Key Guards: Russ Smith, Chris Jones, and Kevin Ware (below), Terry Rozier

This lineup is filled with deadly shooters. Russ Smith's shot selection is always questionable, but he can knock down shots with ease. Smith is lightning fast and can slash and finish with the best in the nation. Chris Jones, who wears number three like the last U of L point guard Peyton Siva, plays a lot like Siva. Jones is not quite a deadly shooter, but the 5'10" point guard can get to the basket easily. Kevin Ware is most known for breaking his leg in last year's Elite Eight game against Duke, but he is a unknowingly a defensive stud and a knockdown shooter. He shot 40% from the arc in his first real year as a Cardinal and averaged 1.1 steals per game. When Rozier sees the floor, he becomes effective, but he has trouble finding the floor.

2. Memphis
Key Guards: Joe Jackson, Geron Johnson, Michael Dixon, and Chris Crawford (below), Damien Wilson

All of the guards except for Wilson are seniors. The seniors all start, forming an incredible four-guard lineup with big man Shaq Goodwin in the middle. Jackson has been improving and improving every year he has been at Memphis, and looks comfortable running the point. Geron Johnson is a balanced player who wants the ball at all times, and can shoot very well. Dixon is a transfer from Missouri who plays great defense and can score from anywhere on the floor. Crawford hits 3 after 3 when he gets good looks from the arc. Crawford can play all of the wing positions excellently. Wilson comes off the bench and can score mostly off of penetration, but also from beyond the arc.

1. Oklahoma State
Key Guards: Marcus Smart and Markel Brown (below), Stevie Clark, Phil Forte, Brian Williams

This backcourt is a mix of athleticism and shooting. Marcus Smart is the best point guard in America, and he proved that last night against Memphis when he went off for 39 points, 26 of them in the first half. Smart showed an improved three point shot, his main weakness last year, most notably an early four-point play. Smart also showed off his hops with a fast-break slam and a nice alley-oop from Markel Brown. Speaking of Brown, he made huge strides between his sophomore and junior years. Brown displayed a vastly improved shot while continuing to be the best dunker in the nation. Stevie Clark is a scoring 5'11" guard that earns high praise from the OK State coaches and Smart. Clark is averaging 9.8 points per game on 54% shooting so far this year. Phil Forte cannot dunk, but his incredible range makes up for that. Forte, Smart's former high school teammate, scored almost all of his points from beyond the arc last year. But Brian Williams is the most athletic guard of all of the Cowpokes. Williams doesn't do much beside dunk, but dunk he does. Oklahoma State is the most exciting team in the nation and their backcourt has poised them to make a deep run in March.

Transfers Already Making Impacts For Their New Teams

Antonio Barton- Tennessee PG

Barton, the former Memphis guard, is knocking down shots for the Volunteers. Through three games, he is 7 of 12 from the arc, averaging 12 points per game. Barton is the only true point guard for the Volunteers, so he will be needed later in the year. The Volunteers are 2-1 so far, and Barton will become a household name for the Volunteers.

DeAndre Kane- Iowa State PG

Kane is surprisingly efficient for the Cyclones, shooting 50 percent or over from the field in all three games, leading the 'Clones to a 3-0 record and a surprising victory over Michigan. Kane has a lot of help from Naz Long and Melvin Ejim, but Kane is already a leader for Iowa State in his first year with the program.

Joesph Young- Oregon G

The former Houston guard Young is legit. He is fourth in the nation in scoring with 30 points per game, and he is shooting 60 percent from the field. He got off to a great start with 24 points against a strong Georgetown team, and he is helping another transfer, Mike Moser from UNLV, hold down the fort while waiting for Dominic Artis to return. Young has the chance to compete for the Pac-12 POY and the scoring title.

Joshua Smith- Georgetown C

Josh Smith is a big boy. Smith left UCLA for a depleted Georgetown team that he is making a huge impact for. He dropped 25 on a top 20 Oregon team. The only question surrounding him is if he can score on a consistent basis for the Hoyas.

Taking A Look At Kentucky's Elite 8 Players

Andrew Harrison- PG

Andrew Harrison, over sized for a point guard at 6'5", will be used to facilitate to his deadly scoring teammates. Not only is he tall, but he has a 6'8" wingspan and has ball-on-a-string handles. He is exceptional at creating offense with the ball in his hands and score at will. Although he has great handles, he overdribbles excessively and can be turnover prone. He lets mistakes get to his head on offense, and usually fails to get back on defense after a turnover. Although Harrison can burn and dunk on people, if he gets his pocket picked, it can lead to an easy fast-break dunk. Harrison will complete with Marcus Smart to be the best point guard at college basketball.

Aaron Harrison- SG

Aaron, the weaker of the Harrison twins, is still a top 30 college player. He is more of a scorer than his brother, but less of a facilitator. He is streaky, as shown in his high school stats. In a pair of two games, he had 3 and 8 points. In a second pair of games, he had 31 and then 40 points. Hopefully Coach John Calapari can get the Aaron Harrison that scored 71 points in two games rather than the Aaron Harrison that scored 11 points in two games.

Alex Poythress- F

Poythress was under a lot of heat last year for being the definition of inconsistent. On top of his game-by-game inconsistency, he shot only 69% from the free-throw line. But on top of his mediocre stats, he had a few strong points. He averaged 6 rebounds per game and shot 42.4% from beyond the arc. Although Poythress under achieved last year, he is due for a great season with the erratic play of Archie Goodwin and Ryan Harrow replaced with the Harrison twins.

Dakari Johnson- C

At 6'11", Johnson will get a lot of post work from Coach Cal this year. Johnson will have to make defensive adjustments and improve his feel for the game. Johnson's positives include his size(6'11" with a 7'0 wingspan, 263 lbs), his presence on the glass and his post game. Johnson can score off of offensive boards, make post moves, and hit right-handed jump hooks. He also has very strong hands that prevent smaller guards from stripping him of the ball. Johnson's main weakness is his ability to go left, or lack there of. Johnson should be able to get his shots, but not lead the team in scoring.

Willie Cauley-Stein- C

Cauley-Stein looks mildly upset after last years NIT loss, but he will be happy soon. Like Poythress, his game was affected negatively by Archie Goodwin. Also like Poythress, Cauley-Stein struggled mightily from the free-throw line, but Cauley-Stein was much, much worse at 37.2 percent. He stands 7 feet tall and is capable of giving opposing post defenders fits. He also gives them fits when they are on offense, as Cauley-Stein blocked 2.1 shots a game last year. He will likely start at the center position over Dakari Johnson, and he has to make an impact for the Wildcats this year.

Marcus Lee- F

Lee is uber-athletic and dunks everything in sight. At 6'10", he might play a little center if Cauley-Stein and Johnson get in foul trouble. Lee will have to worry about foul trouble as well, because Lee can block shots like crazy. Has nice hands and is a very solid passer. But at only 200 pounds, he can't back anyone down or have a strong post game. He is very raw and only an average rebounder. He is a limited scorer because he doesn't have a perimeter game. Lee looks like a poor mans Nerlens Noel for the Cats.

Julius Randle-F

Randle is easily the best player on this list. There are so many positives to the 6'10", 240 pounds stars game. Randle is lethal in transition, has an unstoppable first step, and is a rare combination of finesse and power. He has better handles than most forwards, and can draw fouls, finish, and make the free throws. His post game is unstoppable. He competes on defense and makes plays. If he can begin to hit jumpers from beyond the arc, Randle will be unstoppable. He is drawing comparisons to Chris Webber, but hopefully he knows how many timeouts he has left.

James Young-G/F

James Young is another one of those incredible two-way players. Young is 6'7", but has a 6'11" wingspan. His left-handed shot has a low but quick release, and can make shots with a hand in his face. He is a solid rebound and defender who makes the extra pass to give players open looks. Young is energetic and is a great teammate that is very, very good if he gets in rhythm. All Young has to do is hit a couple of shots and before you know it, he is weaving through the defense on his way to scoring buckets. He likely hasn't hit his peak athletically, which means he can be a top player in the NCAA. The potential is there for Young. Although Young would probably be a better player that Alex Poythress, Poythress will be starting at the small forward this season unless Young can upstage him.

Last Year's College 3-Point Stars That Can Make NBA Rosters

Chris Babb- Celtics G

Babb, the former Iowa State standout shooter, has made an impact on the Celtics from beyond the arc. In one preseason game against the New York Knicks, Babb went 4-of-6 from the field, missing only one three pointer and scoring 12 points, all off of made three pointers. He helped the Celtics come back from a 30 point deficit, but the Cs lost by one. Babb made 38 percent of his threes at Iowa State last year, and the 6'5" guard can make huge shots. Babb should be able to crack the Celtics opening day roster but if not, there are other teams that can use a player like Babb.

James Southerland- Bobcats F

Southerland was a knockdown shooter who burst on to big scene at Syracuse last year. He made 40.2 percent of his attempts from beyond the arc and at 6 foot 8 with a high release, it is extremely difficult for defenders to contest. In two straight games against Seton Hall and Pittsburgh, he went an exceptional 12 of 15 from three. Southerland doesn't have to beat out a lot of stars to make the Cats roster, so there is a high chance you will see him on opening day vs. Houston.

Trey McKinney- Jones- Bucks G

McKinney-Jones, a career 37 percent three point sniper from Miami, has a very low shot of making the Bucks roster. He hasn't appeared in a single preseason game for them so far, but the Milwaukee native can fill up the bucket in a hurry. He made three after three at the U, and he hit 6 of 9 threes in the ACC Championship Game against UNC, and 5 of 7 in a huge game against Michigan State.

Rodney McGruder- Thunder G

McGruder is well-known for knocking down a game-winning three vs. Baylor last year, and that is a reflection of his game. Not only does he knock down threes, but he is also a very good scorer. Probably the weakest shooter on the list, McGruder's best game was when he made 5 of 9 threes as his Kansas State Wildcats took down Oklahoma State last year. If McGruder cracks the roster, it is very unlikely that he will get much playing time, but he could be the third scorer that OKC is looking for.

Romero Osby- Orlando F

Osby, the best college shooter on this list, is in place to make a huge impact for the Magic. 53% from beyond the arc at Oklahoma was Osby's percentage last year, a stat that will make the Magic happy to have him. He lacks the ability to pull up and sink a three, but at 6'7", Osby would typically be a catch-and-shoot guy even if he could pull up. The arc isn't Osby's primary attack, but when he does shoot it, there's a high chance its going in.

College Basketball Fan Favorites So Far In the 2010s

Isaiah Thomas- Washington G

Why? The former Washington standout guard stood only 5'8", yet he was able to dominate opponents and win over the heart of the country with the name of an NBA Hall-of-Famer. He apparently had a few fans in Sacramento, as the Kings selected him 60th overall. He is entering his 3rd year with the Kings in 2013-14 and is already the best player of all time picked 60th.

Jimmer Fredette- BYU G

Why? The sharp-shooting BYU guard became the first ever BYU player to win a National Player of the Year Award , which he did in 2011 with his incredible scoring ability. His name is also Jimmer, and he actually had cults that followed him to Sacramento when the Kings snagged the former lottery pick in a draft-day trade. He hasn't done much in the NBA, but that won't erase his fans love for what he did with the Cougars.

Peyton Siva- Louisville G

Why? Siva had a very tough life growing(see Peyton Siva: The Legend article), but he was able to maintain a fun-loving attitude. He led the underdog Cardinals to a Final Four berth in 2012, and helped them win it all in 2013. He had the best personality of everyone in college basketball so far in the 2010s, and that helped him get drafted 57th overall in the 2013 NBA Draft by the Detroit Pistons.

Mackey McKnight- Lehigh G

Why? He led the 15-seed Lehigh Hawks to a surprise upset over the 2-seed Duke Blue Devils, capturing the heart of America as an unknown small-school guard to a star who took down possibly the most loved/hated team in America. He was not drafted and will probably never have an NBA career, but that will not stop America from loving Mackey.

Kevin Ware- Louisville G

Why? In an Elite 8 game against Duke, Ware suffered possibly the most horrific injury in the history of college basketball. You have probably already seen the injury pictures and videos, so I elected not to show any of them. Anyways, this injury sparked Louisville onto an eighteen point victory and a championship behind the slogan "Win It For Ware". The most emotional moment of the season was when Ware cut down the nets in Atlanta. Ware, now a junior, hopes to play before the end of this calendar year, and he is already back to dunking.