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

By Joey Loose

Mar 14, 2019; Anaheim, CA, USA;Cal State Northridge Matadors forward Lamine Diane (35) lets out a yell after scoring past UC Santa Barbara Gauchos forward Amadou Sow (12) and guard Ar'Mond Davis (1) during the first half of the quarterfinals of the Big West conference tournament at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 14, 2019; Anaheim, CA, USA;Cal State Northridge Matadors forward Lamine Diane (35) lets out a yell after scoring past UC Santa Barbara Gauchos forward Amadou Sow (12) and guard Ar'Mond Davis (1) during the first half of the quarterfinals of the Big West conference tournament at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports /
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Big West Basketball Hawaii Rainbow Warriors forward Stefan Jankovic Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Big West Basketball Hawaii Rainbow Warriors forward Stefan Jankovic Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

7. Stefan Jankovic

A 6’11 forward originally from Canada, Jankovic played prep ball in West Virginia before ending up at Missouri back in 2012 under Frank Haith. His time with the Tigers didn’t go well, playing very few minutes across two seasons, including just three appearances as a sophomore. Jankovic ended up transferring to Hawaii and played a pair of seasons for the Rainbow Warriors, and what a pair of years those ended up becoming.

As a junior, Jankovic averaged 10.6 points and 4.9 rebounds, earning a starting spot by mid-January and producing when called upon. He stuck with Hawaii under new head coach Eran Ganot for his senior season and contributed on a fantastic season in the Aloha State. He’d average 15.6 points and 6.6 rebounds per game, including a 34-point effort against Cal State Northridge in February. March turned out to be the clear headline, as he helped lead Hawaii not only to a Big West Tournament title but to a first round upset win over California, scoring 16 points in the upset.

Once he settled into the Big West, Jankovic was a machine with the Rainbow Warriors. He was named Big West Player of the Year as a senior and had a major role in all of the program’s success during that historic season. He led the league in field goal percentage, was one of the best rebounders and shot blockers, and also had incredible metrics on both ends of the court. Jankovic literally found his footing in the Big West and it was a beautiful thing for both him and this program.