13) ED PINCKNEY

13. Ed Pinckney: Villanova – (1981-85) Bronx, NY

Four years: 14.5 ppg, 8.6 rpg, 1.8 apg, 2.0 bpg, 1.5 spg, 60.4% FG, 72.3% FT

NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player (1985)

An excellent player who may have been slightly overlooked if it wasn’t for a miracle 1985 run to the NCAA Championship over a magnificent Georgetown team. Pinckney went head to head in the final against legendary Patrick Ewing and had 16 points and 6 rebounds to Ewing’s 14 points and 5 rebounds. But even though that was the last game of Pinckney’s college career, he proved himself long before that.

As a freshman, he was mentored by fellow Villanova great John Pinone and he responded with 14.2 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 2.0 bpg, 1.6 spg, and incredible 64.0% from the field, the 5th highest freshman percentage in NCAA history. As a sophomore, the point production for the 6’9” center dropped to 12.5 ppg, but his rebound totals rose to 9.7 rpg. Throw in 1.8 apg, 1.5 spg, 2.1 bpg, 56.8% from the floor, and 76.0% from the line and it was another excellent all around season. As a junior, his consistency was again on display with another similar season. This time, Pinckney averaged 15.4 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 1.7 apg, 1.5 spg, 1.9 bpg, and 60.4% from the field. Once again proving his amazing consistency, Pinckney’s senior season saw him average 15.6 ppg, 8.9 rpg, 2.0 apg, 1.5 spg, and 1.8 bpg, all while shooting 60.0% from the field.

His final career totals were 1,865 points and 1,107 rebounds, and he is also 12th in rebounds and 16th in blocks in Big East games. Taken by the Phoenix Suns with the tenth overall pick in the draft, Pinckney played 12 seasons in the NBA, averaging 6.8 ppg for his career. He spent the past season as an assistant coach for the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Be Sociable, Share!

•