9) KERRY KITTLES

9. Kerry Kittles: Villanova – (1992-96) New Orleans, LA

Four years: 18.4 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 3.3 apg, 2.3 spg, 39.4% 3FG, 71.9% FT.

Player of the Year (1995)

Second Team Consensus All-American (1995)

First Team Consensus All-American (1996)

When you’re the best player in the history of a program as storied as Villanova, then you are something special. But that’s what Kittles was. A force both offensively and defensively, Kittles is both the program’s all-time leading scorer and all-time steals leader.

Kittles eased into things as a freshman, averaging 10.9 ppg, 1.7 spg, and 43.2% from three point range. In his sophomore season he began to show the level of player he was becoming with 19.7 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 3.4 apg, and 2.7 spg. As a junior, Kittles became an All-American with his best season yet when he averaged 21.4 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 3.5 apg, and 2.2 spg, while shooting 52.4% from the field, 41.4% from three, and 76.7% from the line. Surprising many by eschewing the draft, Kittles gained First Team All-American honors as a senior with 20.4 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 3.5 apg, 2.2 spg, and 40.4% from three.

“He just never stopped running,” former Boston College star Bill Curley tells NBE. “He was like a water bug, always zig zagging all over the court. He was relentless.”

For his career, the 6’5” shooting guard amassed 2,243 points and 715 rebounds, with the latter being the best total of any guard on the list, by far. His 1,288 Big East points are 5th best all-time, while he also ranks 2nd in made field goals, and 6th in both made three pointers and steals.

The eight pick in the NBA draft by the New Jersey Nets, Kittles averaged 14.1 ppg over an eight year career. His career ended at the age of 30 due to injuries.

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