NCAA Basketball: 10 best players from state of North Carolina of last decade

8. Darius McGhee – Liberty

Size doesn’t matter for this 5’9 guard from Roxboro, McGhee has been a playmaker throughout his collegiate career. He arrived on campus at Liberty back in 2018 and has played a major role in the Flames becoming a top mid-major during their first four seasons in the A-Sun, and he’s not quite done asserting himself yet.

He had a decent run as a reserve as a freshman, scoring 15 rounds in Liberty’s second-round loss to Virginia Tech, two days after a first-round upset. He’s been the Flames’ starting point guard in the three years since and has seen his offensive numbers really explode. McGhee helped Liberty to three straight A-Sun Tournament titles and had three games scoring at least 40 points as a senior. During his most recent collegiate season, McGhee averaged 24.6 points per game, making 39% of his 3-pointers as well.

McGhee has emerged as a mid-major star in recent years and was named A-Sun Player of the Year in each of the last two seasons. He led the conference in points both years, running away with that title with last year’s impressive campaign, while also leading the entire nation in 3-point field goals for 2022. McGhee has already set records and blazed his trail, but he’ll return for one last dance, taking advantage of the bonus year from the pandemic, starring again with the Flames.