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.