Big 12 Basketball: Ranking of 25 best players from last decade (2013-23)

18. Marcus Smart

One of the best prospects in the nation back in 2012, Smart made his way to Oklahoma State and played a pair of seasons for the Cowboys. A 6’4 point guard from Flower Mound, Texas, he was Big 12 Player of the Year during his freshman season, but the focus on this piece is only success in the last decade. We’re only considering Smart’s second and final collegiate season but he did plenty to warrant inclusion.

His numbers were even better as a sophomore, putting up 18.0 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game, leading the Cowboys to a 21-win campaign. He had a 39-point explosion against Memphis and a 10-assist game late against Texas Tech and was an all-around offensive threat for the Cowboys. Smart was also important on the defensive end, leading the Big 12 for a second straight season in steals, this time grabbing 2.9 a game. His collegiate career ended with a 23-point, 13-rebound effort in a Tourney loss to Gonzaga.

Smart was an All-American as a freshman and won all sorts of honors, but he certainly wasn’t ignored as a sophomore. He was again First Team All-Big 12 and on the All-Defense team. Oklahoma State’s played slightly worse in 2014 but Smart was still a phenomenal piece. He’d certainly be much higher on this list if he included the success and honors he won as a freshman, but he still deserves this spot for his hard work with the Cowboys.