Jerry West: 1959 Most Outstanding Player
While the story/stance may vary about how Jerry West became “The Logo”, no one questions whether West should be mentioned amongst the greatest to ever play. From his days as a star at the University of West Virginia, West established himself as a “gamer” and one of the most hard-nosed competitors the game has seen.
[GET $5 FREE WHEN YOU ENTER EARLY FOR SPORTSBOOK’S $100,000 BRACKET CHALLENGE]There’s a reason why Kobe Bryant has always recognized West as a mentor and someone he’s looked up to. As ESPN LA’s Max Kellerman often says, “game recognize game.”
25 points, 15 rebounds, 5 assists vs. Dartmouth
36 points, 15 rebounds, 1 assist vs. St. Joseph’s
33 points, 17 rebounds, 3 assists vs. Boston University (Even hated “Boston” back then…)
38 points, 15 rebounds vs. Louisville
28 points, 11 rebounds vs. California
Walt Hazzard: 1964 Most Outstanding Player
On the surface level, Walt Hazzard’s numbers may not be as impressive as others, but you have to remember Gail Goodrich and Keith Erickson were also on that UCLA team. Before the era of “super-teams” (as we know them), Hazzard’s Bruins (led by John Wooden) would have definitely fit that description.
26 points, 7 rebounds vs. Seattle
23 points, 3 rebounds vs. San Francisco
19 points, 7 rebounds, 9 assists vs. Kansas St.
11 points, 8 assists vs. Duke
Next Page: The Greatest College Basketball Player of All Time
