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NCAA Basketball: Top 50 “One and Done” players since 2000

By Bryan Mauro

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 27: Kevin Durant (L) #52 of the United States and Carmelo Anthony attend a practice session at the 2018 USA Basketball Men's National Team minicamp at the Mendenhall Center at UNLV on July 27, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 27: Kevin Durant (L) #52 of the United States and Carmelo Anthony attend a practice session at the 2018 USA Basketball Men's National Team minicamp at the Mendenhall Center at UNLV on July 27, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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TUCSON, AZ – JANUARY 29: Markelle Fultz #20 of the Washington Huskies handles the ball during the second half of the college basketball game against the Arizona Wildcats at McKale Center on January 29, 2017 in Tucson, Arizona. The Wildcats defeated the Huskies 77-66. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
TUCSON, AZ – JANUARY 29: Markelle Fultz #20 of the Washington Huskies handles the ball during the second half of the college basketball game against the Arizona Wildcats at McKale Center on January 29, 2017 in Tucson, Arizona. The Wildcats defeated the Huskies 77-66. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

15. DeAndre Ayton – Arizona Wildcats

20.1 Points, 11.6 Rebounds, 1.9 Blocks

The big man from the Bahamas was a consensus first team All-American by every publication. He left an indelible mark on the Arizona basketball program, Ayton was the only player in Arizona’s storied basketball history to earn the Pac-12 Player of the Year. The big man was the Karl Malone Award winner which goes to the nation’s top power forward. The awards speak for themselves, but the 20 points and double-digit rebounds helped him rack up an Arizona record of 24 double-doubles on the season. It has been mentioned before from a few players who dominated the sport. Ayton was the true definition of a dominant force in NCAA Basketball. He was rewarded with the Pac-12 freshman of the year to go along with his player of the year award. That is something only two other players had ever accomplished. Ayton helped lead the Wildcats to the NCAA tournament where they were upset by Buffalo, but his performance for his one year in Tucson was one that will always be remembered.

14. Eddie Griffin – Seton Hall Pirates

17.8 Points, 10.8 Rebounds, 4.4 Blocks

The power forward was a dominant force in the college ranks his only year at Seton Hall. So dominant, that he was named the Freshman of the Year by the sporting news. Griffin was another player who was a force on the defensive end of the floor and the glass. He was a great defender and an elite rim protector for his era of basketball. He was able to secure the Big East Freshman of the year, All-Big East Freshman Team. Griffin was slated to be the first pick in that years NBA draft, but an incident with a teammate, saw him slip to seventh in the draft because of some questions about his attitude. Eddie Griffin passed away in a drunk driving accident in 2007. Many believe he never reached his full potential, but the big man was a player who dominated and maximized his talent for Tommy Amaker and Seton Hall.

13. Derrick Rose – Memphis Tigers

14.9 Points, 4.5 Rebounds, 4.7 Assists

The former Tiger, also played for John Calipari, and arrived in Memphis with a ton of hype and fanfare from his days at High School powerhouse Simeon in Chicago. Rose was a third team All-American and finalist for the Wooden Award and Bob Cousy Award. The point guard had relatively modest shooting numbers throughout the season at 44% and 33% from deep. With the help of Rose and an experienced team the Tigers started the season at 29-0. Rose took his game to another level in the NCAA tournament. He turned his focus towards defense while keeping his normal offensive output. Rose helped lead Memphis to the title game. Rose was named to the All-Tournament team.

12. Kris Humphries – Minnesota Golden Gophers

21.7 Points, 10.1 Rebounds, 1.1 Blocks

The big man is known for being one of Kim Kardashians husbands, however before he was a reality TV star, he was wreaking havoc on the Big Ten. Humphries was named the Big Ten Freshman of the year after his one season in Minneapolis. In his one lone season he led the entire Big Ten in points and rebounding, becoming the first freshman to accomplish that feat. The forward set the record for most points in a single game by a Gopher with 36. The one knock on Humphries was even despite his efforts the Gophers finished in last place in the conference. The year before he arrived the Gophers were .500 in the conference and the year after he left the team finished 10-6. The Gopher faithful believe that he was trying to pad his own stats rather than playing for the team. None the less he had one of the best seasons ever for a freshman.

11. Markelle Fultz – Washington Huskies

23.2 Points, 5.7 Rebounds, 5.9 Assists

When Fultz committed to Lorenzo Romar and the Huskies, the team looked a lot different and many thought if the team could stay together they would be the unanimous number one in the country. Instead the Huskies lost two early entry players, as first round draft picks and the team even with Fultz was only able to manage a 9-win season. The point guard still had one of the best freshman seasons in Pac-12 history. His point per game average was the highest in the Pac-12 in 20 seasons. The freshman was selected all Pac-12 and was selected on the Pac 12 all-freshman team. If Washington would have had a better season, Fultz most likely would have been honored with more awards.

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