NCAA Basketball: 10 best players from state of New Jersey of last decade

2. Karl-Anthony Towns – Kentucky

Undoubtedly set to make a splash at the collegiate level, Towns was a 5-star recruit and one of the top prospect in the nation back in 2014. The 6’11 forward from Piscataway joined an impressive recruiting class at Kentucky, playing just a single season at Kentucky. He may not have shattered records, but he and his teammates nearly rewrote history across an impressive campaign.

Towns averaged 10.3 points and 6.7 rebounds per game during that freshman season. He played a major role in Kentucky’s success that year, as the Wildcats ran off 38 straight wins to start the season. Towns scored a career-high 25 points in their Elite Eight win over Notre Dame and was an important piece the entire season on a deep and loaded roster.

Towns was a Second Team All-American, SEC Rookie of the Year, and First Team All-SEC for an impressive collegiate campaign. He led the SEC in efficiency rating and was the national leader in several defensive analytics as well. His rebounding and block numbers were impressive and he led the SEC in true shooting percentage. A highly-revered prospect, Towns became the first pick of the 2015 NBA Draft, and enters his eighth year starring for the Minnesota Timberwolves.