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Oklahoma Basketball: 15 Greatest Players to Ever Play for Head Coach Lon Kruger

By Tristan Freeman

PITTSBURGH, PA - MARCH 15: Head coach Lon Kruger of the Oklahoma Sooners watches his team in the second half of the game against the Rhode Island Rams during the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at PPG PAINTS Arena on March 15, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - MARCH 15: Head coach Lon Kruger of the Oklahoma Sooners watches his team in the second half of the game against the Rhode Island Rams during the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at PPG PAINTS Arena on March 15, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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HOUSTON, TEXAS – APRIL 02: Buddy Hield #24 of the Oklahoma Sooners talks with head coach Lon Kruger in the second half against the Villanova Wildcats during the NCAA Men’s Final Four Semifinal at NRG Stadium on April 2, 2016 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS – APRIL 02: Buddy Hield #24 of the Oklahoma Sooners talks with head coach Lon Kruger in the second half against the Villanova Wildcats during the NCAA Men’s Final Four Semifinal at NRG Stadium on April 2, 2016 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

5. Steve Henson – Kansas State Wildcats (1987-1990)

Career stats: 13.0 ppg 2.4 rpg 4.6 apg

There was a legend on the roster that held him back his first two seasons (more on him later), but Henson emerged from his shadow to averaged around 18.0 ppg and 4.5 apg in the final two years. Kansas State also made the NCAA Tournament all four seasons with both Kruger and Henson around, making them all-time Wildcat greats.

4. Dan Cross – Florida Gators (1992-1995)

Career stats: 11.3 ppg 2.9 rpg 2.9 apg

After two years mainly on the bench, Cross became a program legend in the final couple of years as a starter. He first led the 1994 Final Four Gators team in scoring at 15.7 ppg, including 17 points to beat UConn in overtime in the Sweet Sixteen. Cross followed that up with another All-SEC year, scoring 18 ppg to lead Florida once again. He’s currently in the school’s Hall of Fame for his achievements.

3. Mitch Richmond – Kansas State Wildcats (1987-1988)

Career stats: 20.7 ppg 6.0 rpg 3.2 apg

Before having by far the best career of any Kruger-coached college player in the NBA, Richmond had a pair of great seasons with the Wildcats. He averaged 22.6 ppg and 6.3 rpg and led the team to the Elite Eight after dropping 27 and 11 to beat Purdue in the Sweet Sixteen.

2. Trae Young – Oklahoma Sooners (2018)

Career stats: 27.4 ppg 3.9 rpg 8.7 apg

Statically the greatest individual season performance, Young became the first player to lead the country in both scoring and assists. He had numerous program and Big 12 records, and singlehandedly carried the Sooners to the NCAA Tournament, despite the strength of the conference. The team’s poor record in the last couple of months hurt his prestige a bit, but what Young this past season is very likely not to be replicated so a long period of time.

1. Buddy Hield – Oklahoma Sooners (2013-2016)

Career stats: 17.4 ppg 5.0 rpg 1.9 apg

A two-time Big 12 Player of the Year Award winner, Hield’s senior season was in some ways better than Young, as he carried his team to the Final Four in 2016. He averaged a whopping 25.0 ppg on 46% shooting from deep, winning the John Wooden Award for best player in the country.

Next: Preview of the 2019 Big 12/SEC Challenge

His growth throughout his four years was one development jobs seen out of Kruger, going from a decent starter to one of the best pure scorers the sport has seen recently. But like we saw with Young this past season, expect more talented players to come Kruger’s way.

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