Patrick Ewing
Three Final Fours and a national title in 1984. The most intimidating defensive presence college basketball has ever seen, Ewing turned the paint into a no-fly zone and made Georgetown must-watch television.
David Thompson
"Skywalker" had a 44-inch vertical before dunking was even legal. He led NC State to the 1974 title, ending UCLA's reign, and was a three-time All-American averaging nearly 27 a game.
Tim Duncan
The rare modern star who stayed four years and dominated every one of them. National Player of the Year as a senior, a two-way force who left as one of the best rebounders and shot-blockers the ACC has ever produced.
Christian Laettner
Two national titles, four Final Fours, and the most famous shot in tournament history against Kentucky. Love him or hate him, no player has ever meant more in March.
Jerry Lucas
A two-time national Player of the Year who led Ohio State to three straight title games and the 1960 championship. He shot better than 60% from the floor in an era when nobody did.
Bill Russell
Back-to-back national titles in 1955 and 1956 and a 55-game winning streak. Russell reinvented defense and rebounding and proved a center could decide a championship by himself.
Pete Maravich
The all-time leading scorer in Division I history at 44.2 points per game — without a three-point line or a shot clock. "Pistol Pete" remains the most prolific bucket-getter the college game has ever seen, and it is not particularly close.
Oscar Robertson
Three-time national scoring champion and three-time Player of the Year. The Big O was a 6-foot-5 guard who rebounded like a forward and ran an offense like a coach, decades ahead of his time.
Bill Walton
The most efficient big man in college history. Two national titles, three Player of the Year awards, and a 21-of-22 shooting masterpiece in the 1973 title game that still stands as the greatest single performance on the sport's biggest stage.
Lew Alcindor (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar)
Three national titles in three varsity seasons, three Final Four Most Outstanding Player awards, and a level of dominance so total the NCAA literally banned the dunk to slow him down. The clearest number one in the history of the college game.