Big West Basketball: Ranking of 25 best players from last decade ('13-23)

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

By Joey Loose | Jul 15, 2023

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 UC Riverside Highlanders guard Zyon Pullin Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /

20. Zyon Pullin

The UC Riverside basketball program has had a turnaround in the last half decade and Pullin has certainly played a significant role in that. A 6’4 guard from Pleasant Hill, California, he spent the last four years as an important backcourt piece for the Highlanders, and his college career isn’t finished quite yet.

After showing potential off the bench as a freshman, he claimed a starting spot going forward, and averaged at least 12 points per game in his final three seasons in Riverside, all under new coach Mike Magpayo. By his senior year, which was a 22-win season at UC Riverside, Pullin was averaging 18.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game. He had a slew of great games, including a 30-point effort in a tough loss to San Diego, and really took on an important role for the Highlanders.

Pullin earned First Team All-Big West honors recently as a senior, one year after getting on the Second Team. He was clearly recognized for his important role in Riverside, and was among the best scorers and ball distributors in the league, actually leading the Big West in assists in 2022. He’ll play his bonus season next year at Florida, meaning his time in the Big West is complete, but his role in UC Riverside’s recent bounce back into legitimacy won’t be forgotten.