Busting Brackets
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MVC Basketball: Ranking of 25 best players from last decade (2013-23)

By Joey Loose

Feb 1, 2014; Wichita, KS, USA; Wichita State Shockers players Ron Baker (31), Fred VanVleet (23) and Nick Wiggins (15) walk off the court during a time-out against the Evansville Aces during the second half at Charles Koch Arena. The Shockers won 81-67. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 1, 2014; Wichita, KS, USA; Wichita State Shockers players Ron Baker (31), Fred VanVleet (23) and Nick Wiggins (15) walk off the court during a time-out against the Evansville Aces during the second half at Charles Koch Arena. The Shockers won 81-67. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports /
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Alize Johnson (24) and Obediah Church go MVC Basketball 2017-18 636556176811712526 Bears1 Jpg
Alize Johnson (24) and Obediah Church go MVC Basketball 2017-18 636556176811712526 Bears1 Jpg /

14. Alize Johnson

Though his journey started at Frank Phillips College in Texas due to low initial interest, Johnson would find his place and become an impactful college basketball stud. A 6’9 forward from Williamsport, Pennsylvania, he transferred to Missouri State in 2016 and became an influential part of the Bears’ program for his final two seasons, coinciding with head coach Paul Lusk’s final years leading the program.

In his junior year, Johnson wasted no time getting acclimated to D1 basketball or the MVC, averaging 14.8 points and 10.6 rebounds per game, including a pair of 20-rebound efforts during conference play. The numbers were even better the next season, as Johnson put up 15.0 points, 11.6 rebounds, and 2.8 assists a game, including a 22-point, 19-rebound effort against Valparaiso in the conference tournament.

While Missouri State didn’t make a ton of headway as a program these two seasons, Johnson was an excellent addition and impressive weapon. He was MVC Rookie of the Year as a junior and was First Team All-MVC in both seasons, becoming the league’s top rebounder and a very decent all-around offensive player. Johnson was actually one of the most successful rebounders in the nation during that two-year span, it’s just a shame the Bears never made the postseason.