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

3. AJ Green

Green was actually a Top 100 recruit in the Class of 2018, deciding to join his father, a longtime assistant at Northern Iowa. A 6’4 combo guard from Cedar Falls, Iowa, not only did the sharpshooter stay right at home, but he’d become one of the most prolific weapons in recent memory in the MVC across the next four seasons.

As a freshman, Green was already a menace, averaging 15.0 points a game for the Panthers, though year two was extra special. He’d lead Northern Iowa to the MVC regular season title, hit 39% of his 3-pointers, and averaged 19.7 points on the year. Unfortunately, he’s miss nearly all of his junior year with a hip injury, but would be back with a vengeance the following season. In what would be his final year at Northern Iowa, he’d average 18.8 points and was deadly from beyond the arc again, taking the Panthers to another MVC title.

Green was the MVC Rookie of the Year as a freshman before earning Player of the Year honors as both a sophomore and senior. He might’ve even claimed three straight honors if not for that injury, though his overall numbers were impressive. Not only was he one of the best offensive players in the MVC, but he was one of the nation’s top free throw shooters and hit 266 3-pointers in just over three full collegiate seasons. He would forgo additional eligibility and is currently with the Milwaukee Bucks.