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

18. Deion Hammond

Hammond is a 6’4 wing who was originally from Mitchellville, Maryland. In 2017, he began his collegiate career in the MAAC over at Monmouth. He started most of the 116 games he’d play in his career with the Hawks, with his career ending just one season before Monmouth departed the conference.

Hammond averaged right around 12 points in a game in each of his underclassman seasons. Monmouth finished 3rd in the MAAC in the pandemic-shortened season, with Hammond giving 16.3 points a game as a junior. His numbers as a senior were comparable and included a long list of 20-point performances in the pandemic-altered schedule.

A valiant player in virtually every aspect, Hammond earned First Team All-MAAC honors as both a junior and senior, with those improved offensive and defensive numbers. He became one of the most utilized players in the conference and was one of the top scorers and long-range shooters as a result. Monmouth didn’t break through to the NCAA Tournament, but that 30-21 mark in Hammond’s final two seasons was a major step forward for the program after his first two years.