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Ivy League Basketball: Ranking of 25 best players from last decade (2013-23)

By Joey Loose

Mar 18, 2023; Sacramento, CA, USA; Princeton Tigers forward Keeshawn Kellman (32) hugs a member of the staff after defeating the Missouri Tigers at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 18, 2023; Sacramento, CA, USA; Princeton Tigers forward Keeshawn Kellman (32) hugs a member of the staff after defeating the Missouri Tigers at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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Ivy League Basketball Harvard Crimson guard Wesley Saunders Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Ivy League Basketball Harvard Crimson guard Wesley Saunders Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /

6. Wesley Saunders

A 6’5 point guard from Los Angeles, Saunders crossed the country to play at Harvard, starring for four seasons with the Crimson. A highly-revered high school player, he was a key recruit landed by Tommy Amaker, arriving on campus back in 2011. He sat on the bench as a freshman but became a key piece of the puzzle as a sophomore, though we’re just looking at those upperclassmen seasons today.

Saunders’ junior season was pretty special. Not only did he average 14.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game, he also led Harvard to a third straight NCAA Tournament and an upset win over Cincinnati. He’d even score 22 points against Michigan State in a season-ending loss. As a senior, he was up to 16.6 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game and saw his career end in the Big Dance again, this time in a close loss to North Carolina.

He was named Ivy League Player of the Year for that impressive junior season and earned First Team All-Ivy honors in each of those two seasons. Saunders ran the point and was a major contributor for Harvard’s finest era of basketball success, playing in the NCAA Tournament for four straight seasons. He led the conference in steals for three straight years and was one of the most efficient shooters at one point as well. Saunders clearly left his mark both in the Ivy League and in the Big Dance itself.