Pac-12 Basketball has seen great play from some outstanding players this century so far. Who were the best players from each team?
Ben Howland’s mid-2000s UCLA teams produced one of the most staggering runs of talent, both while in school and as they moved on to the NBA, that the college level has seen this century.
Yet, despite three consecutive Final Fours, the Bruins came up short with zero titles and just one championship game appearances. As the class of the Pac-12 during their run, UCLA offered the best (and to this date, only) shot at a title for a Pac-12 squad in the 21st Century.
Even with the lack of championship chances, the Pac-12 has produced a number of quality players over the last nearly two decades.
Arizona
Starting Five: Jason Gardner, Luke Walton, Nick Johnson, Derrick Williams, Deandre Ayton
Bench: Michael Wright, Gilbert Arenas, Channing Frye, Salim Stoudamire, Jerryd Bayless, Jordan Hill, Aaron Gordon, Lauri Markkanen
Practice Squad: Andre Iguodala, Chase Budinger, Allonzo Trier, T.J. McConnell, Hassan Adams, Marcus Williams, Kyle Fogg, Solomon Hill, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Nic Wise, Mustafa Shakur
MVP: People forget how great of a player he was because he went undrafted, but Jason Gardner was a three-time All-Pac 12 First-Teamer and a two-time All-American. The diminutive guard set the tone at the turn of the century for what the Wildcats would produce for the rest of the decade.
Speaking of the Wildcats over the decade, what a fun group of players this would be. There is tons of top-notch guard play, shooters, high-flyers, and even a couple of post guys sprinkled in. This might be the best squad in the conference.