Atlantic 10 Basketball: Ranking of 25 best players from last decade (2013-23)
By Joey Loose
![Jan 25, 2020; Richmond, Virginia, USA; Dayton Flyers forward Obi Toppin (1) stands with Flyers forward Ryan Mikesell (33), Flyers guard Trey Landers (3), and Flyers guard Jalen Crutcher (10) against the Richmond Spiders in the closing seconds of the second half at Robins Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports Jan 25, 2020; Richmond, Virginia, USA; Dayton Flyers forward Obi Toppin (1) stands with Flyers forward Ryan Mikesell (33), Flyers guard Trey Landers (3), and Flyers guard Jalen Crutcher (10) against the Richmond Spiders in the closing seconds of the second half at Robins Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/129da517036caf45dd3654be6ff9e26eb463183be3b745474e1a01516eb765bb.jpg)
23. Grant Golden
Choosing to stay in his home state, Golden is a 6’10 forward from Winchester, Virginia who played his entire college career for Chris Mooney at Richmond. He actually played six seasons for the Spiders, redshirting after appearing in just nine games during his freshman campaign and taking advantage of his bonus year from the pandemic, meaning his career stretched from 2016 to 2022.
He missed a few games late in his career, but Golden was a full-time starter in the frontcourt across his final five seasons in Richmond. He averaged no fewer than 12.5 points and 6.0 rebounds per game in all five of those seasons, peaking with 17.2 points and 7.1 rebounds as redshirt sophomore in 2019. He had a number of double-doubles in his career, put up 34 points in a game against Wyoming in 2018, and helped lead the Spiders to the NCAA Tournament in 2022, a run that included an upset over Iowa in the first round.
Golden was a major contributor at Richmond throughout his career and was named to the All-A-10 team four times. Due to playing just over five full seasons, he racked up the stats in his career and ranks among the leaders in points and rebounds in A-10 history, making great use of his skills in interior offense. Ending his career on that high note in the NCAA Tournament seemed fitting for a hard worker like Golden.