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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MVC Basketball Wichita State Shockers forward Cleanthony Early Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports
MVC Basketball Wichita State Shockers forward Cleanthony Early Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports /

9. Cleanthony Early

After a pair of seasons at SUNY Sullivan, Early found his way into D1 basketball. A 6’8 power forward originally from the Bronx, he put up great numbers at the junior college level before heading to Wichita State in 2012. His two years with the Shockers were truly special, playing a role in their Final Four run while a junior, though we’re only looking at that senior year today. Suffice to say, it was special too.

Year four saw Early save the best for last, averaging 16.4 points and 5.9 rebounds in a truly dominant season for Wichita State. He was the leading scorer and rebounder on a Shockers squad that marched to the NCAA Tournament with an undefeated 34-0 record before being upset in the second round. He actually scored a season-high 31 points in that loss to Kentucky and was masterful for much of Wichita State’s season including their blitz through the MVC.

For his hand in Wichita State’s historic run, Early was named a Second Team All-American and also earned First Team All-MVC honors. His contributions were clear, while also leading the league in effective field goal percentage to boot. Early played some great basketball during perhaps the finest two-year stretch in the history of Wichita State and even that senior season alone is worthy of a ton of praise.