NCAA Basketball: Top 50 “One and Done” players since 2000
By Bryan Mauro
40. Jayson Tatum – Duke Blue Devils
16.8 Points, 7.3 Rebounds, 2.1 Assists
The former Blue Devil’s career did not start off well as he missed the first eight games of his college career with a foot injury. Tatum was an elite scorer during his time in Durham. The small forward was also a great defensive player, averaging over one block per game. He did not have the scoring prowess of his counterpart, but he was able to change games on the offensive end. He finished his career fourth on the Duke freshman charts for free throws made with 118. Tatum had a successful freshman campaign, but Duke was bounced early in the NCAA tournament.
39. Brandon Ingram – Duke Blue Devils
17.3 Points, 6.8 Rebounds, 2.0 Assists
Duke has had their fair share of one and done players and Ingram is the second consecutive Blue Devil to make the list. The forward was a freshman all American as well as honorable mention All American. After one season in Durham, Ingram left his mark all over the Duke record books. He finished third on the single season scoring list. His 14, 20-point scoring efforts during that season rank second overall. Ingram made his mark in the NCAA tournament averaging over 23 points per game. Duke lost in the sweet sixteen of the NCAA tournament in the forwards one season in college.
38. Tyreke Evans – Memphis Tigers
17.1 Points, 5.4 Rebounds, 3.9 Assists
Evans displayed his true athleticism in his one season at Memphis. John Calipari is the only coach that Evans wanted to play for, and Calipari was able to work his magic and coach a player who was great from three positions on the floor. The point guard entered college as a small forward, started at shooting guard for Memphis and then finished as the point guard. Once Evans was inserted as the lead guard Memphis would go on a roll and win 27 games in a row. Calipari credits Evans and his leadership from the lead guard position as saving the Memphis season.
37. Wendell Carter Jr. – Duke Blue Devils
13.5 Points, 9.1 Rebounds, 2.1 Blocks
Carter was one part of a historic freshman front court for the Duke Blue Devils. The big man has his name all over the record books. After his freshman season he was second overall in rebounds, blocked shots and double doubles. Duke has had a long history of players leaving after one season in Durham and Carter was one of the best players to ever wear the Blue and White. Carter never received enough credit for how good he was on the offensive end of the floor. He one of only six Duke players to finish a season shooting 50% overall, 40% from three and 70% from the line. He joins the exclusive list of Danny Ferry, Thomas Hill, Christian Laettner, and Shane Battier.
36. Lonzo Ball – UCLA Bruins
14.6 Points, 6.0 Rebounds, 7.6 Assists
Ball is the best passer on this list. In his short time in Westwood, he transformed a middling offense into the top scoring offense in the country. The point guard has tremendous court vision and had a skilled big man to give the ball, another member of the list TJ Leaf. Ball was efficient from the floor making 55% of his shots and 41% of this three-point attempts. Ball led the country in assists and coupled with his ability to rebound and pass he was a unanimous first team All-American and was awarded the Wayman Tisdale Award as the nation’s top freshman.