ALL-TIME BIG EAST TOP 50 PLAYERS, Chris Dokish, Connecticut News, Notre Dame News

BIG EAST ALL-TIME TOP 50 PLAYERS: #38 – #36

Today we continue our countdown of the Big East All-Time Top 50 Players compiled by NBE Basketball Report recruiting analyst and staff writer Chris Dokish.

Over the course of the next four weeks, leading up to the start of the 2008-2009 regular season, our top 50 list will be revealed as we countdown to #1.

Today we continue with a look at #38, #37 and #36 on our list. Enjoy the trip through the history of the Big East.

38) Bill Curley: Boston College – (1990-94) Duxbury, MA

Four years: 16.7 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 1.3 apg, 1.0 spg, 56.5% FG, 78.0% FT.

Rookie of the Year (1991)

Hardnosed and scrappy 6’9” power forward who was the team MVP for all four seasons at the school, as well as the team leader every year in scoring, rebounding, and field goal percentage.

As a freshman, Curley was the Big East Rookie of the Year when he averaged 12.6 ppg and 6.9 rpg. As a sophomore, he proved to be a star with 17.8 ppg and 8.1 rpg, while beginning to show his excellent shooting skills making 57.7% from the field and 77.4% from the line. His junior numbers dipped some to 15.8 ppg and 7.6 rpg, but he had career highs in shooting with 58.0% from the field and 84.9% from the line. His 85.7% from the line in conference games led the league, a remarkable feat for a power player. As a senior he rebounded with his best season averaging 20.0 ppg and 9.0 rpg, while making 55.7% from the field and 79.3% from the line. His 9.7 rpg in conference play that season was the 7th best in conference history. He finished off the season by carrying the Eagles to the Elite Eight, which included an upset of No.1 North Carolina.

Even though Boston College is no longer in the league, Curley still has great memories of the Big East. “It was the best league ever, in my opinion,” he tells NBE. “There was nothing like playing the Big East tournament, in the Garden, with all those people. It was awesome.”

For his career, he amassed 2,102 points and 996 rebounds. His 1,177 points ranks 8th all-time in conference play and his 561 rebounds rank 7th all-time. He also is 5th all-time in conference play in made free throws.

Was taken with the 22nd pick of the 1st round by the San Antonio Spurs, but was quickly traded to the Detroit Pistons. Injuries eventually led him to five uneventful seasons. He currently runs a basketball camp in Massachusetts.
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37) Khalid El-Amin: Connecticut – (1997-2000) Minneapolis, MN

Three seasons: 15.3 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 4.4 apg, 1.7 spg, 35.5% 3FG, 82.2% FT

Rookie of the Year (1998)

Was never a favorite around the league with opposing fans who often made fun of his chunky 5’10” frame, but the point guard had the last laugh when he led the Huskies to the National Championship in 1999.

El-Amin was a hit right away, averaging 16.0 ppg, 4.2 apg, and 1.8 spg as a freshman. He also showed fine shooting skills making 36.5% of his threes and 79.6% from the line. That season resulted in El-Amin being named Big East Rookie of the Year. As a sophomore his numbers dropped to 13.8 ppg, but his leadership skills and clutch play was huge in the Huskies’ National Championship run. During his junior season, he once again averaged 16.0 ppg while also setting the Big East record for conference games when he made 93.4% of his free throws (since broken by Gerry McNamara). He hit 89.2% of his free throws overall, while also adding 1.7 spg and a career high 5.2 apg.

He left after his junior year but still amassed 1,650 points. He played one season in the NBA, but has been playing overseas since, where has one won MVP honors in both Turkey and the Ukraine.
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36) Pat Garrity: Notre Dame – (1994-98) Monument, CO

Three years in the Big East: 20.5 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 35.6% 3FG

Four year career overall: 18.8 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 35.8% 3FG

Player of the Year (1998)

Second Team Consensus All-American (1998)

Basically a one man team for the Irish in their first few years in the league, but being the only focus for opposing defenses did little to slow him down.

The 6’9” forward was a sophomore when the Irish joined the Big East but he proved he was one of the conference’s elite players right away with 17.2 ppg and 7.1 rpg. His junior year was even more impressive when Garrity averaged 21.1 ppg and 7.4 rpg, while making 38.2% of his threes and 77.6% of his free throws. Garrity hit new heights as a senior, despite very little help from the rest of the team, with 23.2 ppg, which was 6th best in the nation, and 8.3 rpg. He also continued to show his good shooting hitting 37.0% of his threes and 75.0% of his free throws. Additionally, his 24.1 ppg average in conference led the Big East. That great season resulted in Player of the Year and consensus Second Team All-American honors in 1998.

For his career, he accumulated 2,085 points and 776 rebounds. Drafted 19th overall by the Milwaukee Bucks, but was immediately traded to Phoenix. He recently completed his tenth season in the league, the last nine with the Orlando Magic. His career average is 7.3 ppg.
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Note: The only criteria that was used to compile the list was how well a player performed in college, specifically in the conference, physically as well as the degree of impact he made for his program or the league. NOT taken into consideration was the general popularity of the player, how high he was drafted into the NBA, or even his pro career. Also, no current players are eligible.

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