Cincinnati Basketball: Top 10 Players to Play for Head Coach Mick Cronin

6. Jacob Evans – Cincinnati Bearcats (2016-2018)

Career stats: 11.7 ppg 4.3 rpg 2.5 apg

Evans was around for two of the program’s best individual seasons, both times leading the team in both scoring and assists. Not only was he a proficient offensive player, but was one of the best defensive players in the AAC as well.

The 6’6 wing ultimately left early but could be a surprise contributor in the NBA, based on how he played at Cincinnati.

5. Yancy Gates – Cincinnati Bearcats (2009-2012)

Career stats: 11.3 ppg 6.9 rpg 0.8 apg

He was a four-year starter and double-digit scorer, as well as a top-10 rebounder in the Big East. Gates didn’t have too many 20+ point games, but he was good for around 15 ppg and 7.0 rpg in his final couple of seasons. The Big East was in their glory days around the time Gates was around, yet he still made his presence known.

4. Gary Clark – Cincinnati Bearcats (2015-2018)

Career stats: 10.5 ppg 8.1 rpg 2.0 apg

Arguably the best big man who Cronin’s coached, Clark’s stat lines don’t show the impact he makes on a nightly basis. He averaged over 7.2 rpg in each of his four years at Cincinnati, with his offense improved over the years.

In terms of analytics, Clark was the most efficient offensive and defensive player in the AAC and was rewarded with the Conference Player of the Year Award. Considering the type of player that Clark was, it’s not surprising that the Bearcats won 30+ games each of the last two years.