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

BIG EAST ALL-TIME TOP 50 PLAYERS: #8 & #7

Today we continue the 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 four weeks, leading up to the start of the 2008-2009 regular season, our top 50 list will be revealed as we countdown to the #1 Big East player of all-time.

Today we continue in the Top 10 with a look at players checking in at #8 and at #7 on our list. Enjoy the trip through the history of the Big East.

8: Ray Allen: Connecticut – (1993-96) Dalzell, SC

Three years: 19.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 2.4 apg, 1.6 spg, 44.8% 3FG, 77.9% FT.

Player of the Year (1996)

First Team Consensus All-American (1996)

UConn head coach Jim Calhoun has had an embarrassment of riches when it came to wing players and maybe his most talented ever was the 6’6″ Allen.

It didn’t start out with dominance in his freshman season as Allen was eased into the lineup, playing a little over half a game. He still managed to average 12.6 ppg, 4.6 rpg, and 1.1 spg. He also started to show what an excellent shooter he was by shooting 51.0% from the floor, 40.2% from three, and 79.2% from the line. The next two years Allen saw more of the floor and that was bad news for the rest of the conference. Allen averaged 21.1 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 2.3 apg, and 1.9 spg. One of the best three point shooters in conference history, he also shot 44.5% from three point range. His junior season was even better as the 6’6” guard averaged 23.4 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 3.3 apg, and 1.7 spg, while also making 81.0% of his free throws and a tremendous 46.6% from three point range.

In his three year career, Allen totaled 1,922 points and 601 rebounds. He also joined fellow Husky Richard Hamilton as the only two players in Big East history to total over 1,000 conference points in a three year career. One of the best three point shooters in college basketball history, Allen is 20th all-time in NCAA history with a 44.8% from three point land.

Drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks with the 5th overall pick in the NBA draft, Allen has played for three teams over twelve seasons, averaging 21.1 ppg in his career and being named an all-star eight times.
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7) Richard Hamilton: Connecticut – (1996-99) Coatesville, PA

Three years: 19.8 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 2.7 apg, 1.3 spg, 37.8% 3FG, 82.6% FT.

Player of the Year (1998)

Co-Player of the Year (1999)

Second Team Consensus All-American (1998)

First Team Consensus All-American (1999)

NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player (1999)

Many think fellow Husky Ray Allen had more natural talent, but “Rip”, as he is affectionately known, was more decorated and had more postseason success.

“When I wrote my book on the top 100 college basketball players of all-time, Legends of College Basketball, “Rip” was the one current UConn player who made the cut,” DeCourcy tells NBE. “Ray Allen had more of a star-type career, but I don’t think anyone should undervalue how much Hamilton meant to the Huskies winning their first national championship. He wasn’t as flashy or as dynamic as Ray, but he worked defenders into submission and had the willingness to take big shots.”

As a freshman, Hamilton was the heir apparent to Allen, and he didn’t miss a beat. Hamilton averaged 15.9 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 2.8 apg, 1.3 spg, 78.4% from the line, and 37.6% from three point land in his initial season. What followed was two of the best, most consistent seasons in conference history. Both seasons ended in conference Player of the Year and All-American honors. As a sophomore, Hamilton averaged 21.5 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 2.4 apg, 1.5 spg, 84.3% from the line, and 40.4% from three point range. As a junior, Hamilton led the Huskies to the National Championship and garnered the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player honor along the way. His stats during that junior year were a very similar 21.5 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 2.7 apg, 1.2 spg, 34.7% from three, and 83.3% from the free throw line.

Hamilton left for the NBA after his junior season, but, along with Troy Murphy, he ended his career as only the second player in conference history to have over 2,000 total points in a three year career. His 1,046 conference points are also the most of any player with a three year career in Big East history. Despite playing for only three years, the 6’6” swingman still totaled 2,036 points and 464 rebounds. His 19.7 ppg average in conference games is 10th best all-time.

He was drafted seventh overall by the Washington Wizards and just finished his ninth NBA season, the last six with the Detroit Pistons. He currently has a career average of 17.9 ppg and has been a three time all-star.
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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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