NCAA Basketball: 10 best players from state of Arizona of last decade

5. Bryce Cotton – Providence

A 6’1 guard from Tucson, Cotton found his way across the country, enrolling at Providence in 2010 to play under coach Keno Davis. After a head coaching change following his freshman year, he starred for three years under new coach Ed Cooley and played a role in the Friars becoming a more consistent contender in the new Big East.

After serving as a rotational player his freshman year, Cotton picked up major minutes for the rest of his career, becoming Providence’s impact player for the last three seasons. By his senior year, he was averaging 21.8 points and 5.9 assists per game, both of which were the best in the Big East. Among a flurry of impressive scoring performances, he also helped lead the Friars to a Big East Tournament title in 2014 and was named the Tournament’s MVP. A week later, he had a career-high 36 points in a close first-round NCAA Tournament loss to North Carolina, his final collegiate game.

Those last two seasons were impressive, earning him a pair of All-Big East First Team selections. Cotton played an important role for Cooley’s first few seasons as Providence’s head coach and that run through the Big East Tournament surely won’t be forgotten. He was not drafted, but had a brief stint with the Phoenix Suns and has been a star overseas in Australia.