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

By Joey Loose | Jul 4, 2023

Dec 13, 2016; Villanova, PA, USA; Villanova Wildcats guard Josh Hart (3) gets congratulations from head coach Jay Wright and guard Jalen Brunson (1) after leaving the game late in the second half against the Temple Owls at The Pavilion. Villanova defeated Temple, 78-57. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /

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Kelan Martin Big East Basketball 0220 Butler Bball Vs Creighton Insider Jrw24 /

18. Kelan Martin

Butler joined the Big East in 2013 and the grass hasn’t always been greener for the Bulldogs, though Martin was a part of all of their success since joining the conference. A 6’6 forward from Louisville, he began collegiate play in 2014 and would help take the Bulldogs to four straight trips to the NCAA Tournament.

Martin came off the bench as a freshman under Chris Holtmann, but his role grew as time went on. He put up 15.7 points and 6.8 rebounds as a game already in his sophomore season, including a 35-point effort against Georgetown. Martin helped lead Butler to the Sweet Sixteen with similar figures as a junior and was really efficient as a senior. That final collegiate campaign, now under LaVall Jordan, saw him average 21.2 points and 6.3 rebounds, including a 36% mark from outside the arc. He put up a career-high 37 points in a win over Marquette and dropped 29 points in his final game, a second-round Tourney loss to Purdue.

Second Team All-Big East during those solid sophomore and junior seasons, Martin’s senior season explosion saw him named First Team All-Big East as one of the nation’s top scorers. He was among the conference’s leaders in many categories, including points, rebounds and several other metrics. Martin played in five NCAA Tournament victories for the Bulldogs, who have yet to have real success in this conference since his departure in 2018.

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