There seems to be no shortage of the memories made in college basketball. What we remember most about each season is who cut down the nets or made the big impressions during March Madness, but the sport is about more than just that. The comeback stories, the heartbreaking endings, and every moment good and bad from November to early April compels the college basketball universe.
Today we’ll be presenting the next part of a long-running series, one that’s focused on the best players of the last decade from each conference. This task is more difficult than it appears to the naked eye, especially when we’re considering all 32 of the current conferences in the sport. Leagues like the ACC or Big Ten were full of household names, many now starring in the NBA, but it’s not the same in every league.
Mountain West Basketball is certainly one of the top mid-major conferences in the nation, producing multiple bids to the NCAA Tournament on a regular basis. It’s a league that’s seen programs like Colorado State, Nevada, and Utah State have excellent performances in recent years, though none can really compare to San Diego State, with the Aztecs marching to last season’s national championship game. There are eleven solid programs in the MWC and we’re getting a solid taste of most of them in today’s piece.
Remember that this is about the best individual players from just the last ten seasons, meaning players and seasons from before then will not be included. Obviously, a player whose career began more than ten years ago will still be considered if it finished after 2013. The same is true about those who started or ended their career at different schools in different conferences, though only their time in the MWC will matter today. With some impressive players to look at, let’s just start running through the names.
25. Justin Bean
A 6’7 forward from Moore, Oklahoma, Bean made his way to Utah State and became a critical piece for some successful years for the Aggies. He was a great player on both sides of the ball in his four years at Utah State, originally arriving in 2018, starring for his first three years under Craig Smith.
He came off the bench as a freshman as the Aggies won the MWC regular season and tournament titles, but became a significant force going forward. During his sophomore year, he averaged 11.9 points and 10.5 rebounds and helped lead the program to another MWC Tournament title. After helping lead Utah State to another NCAA Tournament as a junior, he had his best individual effort as a senior, putting up 17.4 points and 9.9 rebounds a game while making 46% of his 3-pointers. That included 24 points and 19 rebounds in a win over Oklahoma.
Bean earned three straight All-MWC honors and was All-Defense twice in his career. He was among the conference’s top rebounders and finished 2nd in both steals and field goal percentage during that breakout senior season. While Bean wasn’t the most important figure on those impressive Utah State teams, he played a major role in the frontcourt and was clearly an impact player in the Mountain West.
24. Graham Ike
Ike is a 6’9 center originally from Aurora, Colorado who showed plenty of skill and potential in his time with Wyoming. He actually played just 45 games with the Cowboys, but did more than enough in that short window to establish himself as one of the best players in recent years in the MWC.
A knee injury kept him from much of his freshman season, but he did average 11.2 points and show some of that potential across 12 games. Sophomore year was his first full year on the collegiate court and he certainly took a step forward. Ike averaged 19.5 points and 9.6 rebounds, leading the Cowboys to a 25-win season and a trip to the NCAA Tournament. He had career-high performances with 35 points against Denver and 18 rebounds against San Jose State. Unfortunately, he missed the entirety of last season with a leg injury.
Ike was named Second Team All-MWC for that brilliant sophomore year, one in which he took Wyoming to newfound heights. He was one of the top scorers and rebounders in the conference and actually finished among the national leaders in field goals and free throws made that year. Unfortunately for the MWC, he’s transferred out to Gonzaga and will continue his career there, hoping to stay healthy in the years ahead.
23. Deonte Burton
A 6’1 point guard from Los Angeles, Burton played a starring role during his collegiate career at Nevada. It’s a career that began way back in 2010 when Nevada was still members of the WAC, with Burton actually winning WAC Player of the Year over a decade ago. For the purposes of this article, we’re only focusing on his senior season, which came during the Wolf Pack’s second season in the Mountain West.
Burton would average 20.1 points, 4.4 assists, and 4.3 rebounds per game in that final collegiate campaign, leading Nevada to a 3rd-place finish in the MWC. He had solid shooting numbers and had a career-high 32 points in a double overtime road win over Fresno State. His numbers were great throughout his career, but Burton really became perhaps the best offensive player in the MWC as a senior.
Named First Team All-MWC, Burton truly did become one of the league’s best during that senior season, finishing Top 3 in the league in points, assists, and steals. He helped take Nevada to a pretty solid year compared to the years ahead for the program. His skill and contributions would surely be missed in the coming the years and he was an inspirational leader and point guard for this program.
22. Larry Nance Jr.
A 6’8 forward from Akron, Nance made his way to the MWC by way of Wyoming back in 2011. He had decent numbers off the bench as a freshman before taking on a more solid role with the Cowboys as a sophomore, though today’s focus is on the most recent decade. That means we’re starting with Nance’s junior year, but his final two years were him at his best.
Nance averaged 15.4 points and 8.6 rebounds in a junior year where he took a solid step forward for the Cowboys. He became one of the best frontcourt pieces in the MWC and had a 38-point performance against Denver in nonconference play. During his senior year, he not only put up impressive numbers, but he also led Wyoming to the MWC Tournament title and a trip to the Big Dance, putting up 16 points against Northern Iowa in the final game of his career.
For those final two years, Nance was named First Team All-MWC, developing into one of the league’s best all-around players. He also brought home the MWC Defensive Player of the Year award as a senior in a season where he finished 5th in both points and rebounds as well. Nance’s involvement in that run to the Big Dance is the clearly headliner of his time at Wyoming and it helped turn him into a first-round NBA draft pick in 2015.
21. Justin James
Things weren’t always pretty, but James was an athletic weapon for four seasons at Wyoming. A 6’7 wing from Port Saint Lucie, Florida, he traveled all the way out to the west to star for the Cowboys between 2015 and 2019. There were no NCAA Tournament bids and Wyoming wasn’t exactly a household name, but James certainly improved his own standing with his impressive play.
For his first two seasons, he mostly came off the bench for the Cowboys, though he averaged 16.0 points per game in his sophomore season, which would end with a CBI title. Entering the starting lineup as a junior, he’d have a line of great scoring nights, averaging 18.9 points as a junior and then 22.1 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 4.4 assists as a senior. Wyoming struggled mightily in that final season, but James was an absolute force.
He was the MWC Sixth Man of the Year as a sophomore, earned First Team All-MWC honors as a junior, and led the conference in points and steals per game as a senior. James did a lot of great stuff with the Cowboys, who won at least 20 games in both his sophomore and junior seasons. He was successful in nearly every aspect for Wyoming late in his career and was taken in the second round of the 2019 NBA Draft.
20. Grant Sherfield
A 6’2 point guard from Wichita, Sherfield originally stayed right at home, beginning his collegiate career at Wichita State. After a decent freshman season, he decided to transfer, arriving at Nevada in 2020 during the peak of the pandemic. Sherfield would spend the next two seasons starring in a major role for the Wolf Pack.
In that first year at Nevada, Sherfield wasted no time getting acclimated to the Mountain West, averaging 18.6 points and 6.1 assists, helping lead the program to a 5th place finish in the league. He flirted with a triple-double several times and would put up even better numbers as a junior. Additionally, Sherfield would score at least 25 points in all four of the MWC Tournament games he played across those two seasons, seemingly saving his best for the most important games.
For leading the MWC in points, assists, and steals, he was an easy choice for First Team All-MWC in that sophomore season before settling for Third Team honors as a junior, largely due to Nevada’s struggles as a team. Regardless, Sherfield was a stat stuffer who did it all in those two seasons with the Wolf Pack, even standing out as an excellent free throw shooter. Following that junior year, he transferred to Oklahoma, though he had more significant success in those two previous years in the MWC.
19. Elijah Brown
Brown is a 6’4 combo guard from Orange County, California who had quite the eventful college career. He kicked things off at Butler way back in 2013 during a disappointing season for the Bulldogs. Brown would transfer following that season, arriving at New Mexico after sitting out the next season. He’d be with the Lobos for a pair of successful seasons before transferring one last time, though let’s look at his accomplishments in the MWC.
As a sophomore, he averaged 21.7 points and 5.5 rebounds, clearly showing no signs of rust from sitting out the previous season, also making 39% of his 3-point attempts. The season included a 41-point performance against Florida State and a plethora of other 30-point nights. The numbers were impressive again as a junior, leading the Lobos to another decent finish while averaging 18.8 points per game in the process.
Brown’s sophomore season, where he emerged as one of the nation’s top scorers, earned him First Team All-MWC honors. He did some really solid work across those two seasons with the Lobos, even if the program took a slight step back during that time. Brown could make 3’s, had very solid steals numbers and was a necessary weapon in New Mexico’s backcourt. He’d transfer to Oregon, spending his senior year with the Ducks.
18. Isaiah Stevens
Stevens has been a major part of Colorado State’s revival in recent years and his story isn’t fully written yet either. A 6’0 point guard from Allen, Texas, he arrived back in 2019 and has started nearly every game of the last four seasons for the Rams, leading this program to a few remarkable seasons along the way.
Already averaging 13.3 points and 4.5 assists as a freshman, Stevens would put up some pretty impressive figures across his collegiate career with the Rams. Colorado State would win at least 20 games in his first three seasons, with Stevens playing a hand in their NIT run as a sophomore. Not only did he have a career-high 35-point game against UNLV during his junior year, but he helped lead the Rams to the Big Dance for the first time in nine years. This past season saw him average 17.9 points and 6.7 assists per game.
Stevens has impressively been named All-MWC in each of his four seasons with the Rams, garnering Rookie of the Year honors as a freshman and First Team honors as a senior. He’s been an efficient shooter and has accumulated 618 assists through four seasons, but his time with the Rams isn’t finished yet. This very talented backcourt weapon will be back for a fifth season at Colorado State next year, hoping to lead a bounce back after this past season ended roughly for the Rams.
17. Bryce Hamilton
A 6’4 wing from Pasadena, California, Hamilton was actually considered a Top 100 prospect with the class of 2018. He would be recruited to UNLV by Marvin Menzies but would play for three different head coaches across four seasons with the Rebels. Despite that unevenness, Hamilton developed into a significant piece for the Rebels, especially on the offensive end.
After showing potential off the bench as a freshman, he dove in as a sophomore, averaging 16.0 points and 5.5 rebounds during TJ Otzelberger’s first season as head coach. That season ended with a 2nd place finish in the MWC. Hamilton’s contributions would continue to increase. By his senior season, he was up to 21.8 points per game in a solid year for UNLV, including a 42-point effort at Colorado State.
Hamilton earned All-MWC honors in his last three years, nabbing the First Team honor as a sophomore and as a senior. That final year saw him finish 9th in the nation in total points which decent offensive metrics and shooting numbers. UNLV wasn’t exactly making national headlines during his four seasons on campus, but Hamilton lived up to his high school billing and was a major part of success under three head coaches, including that senior year with Kevin Kruger, the current coach.
16. Jordan Caroline
A 6’7 wing from Champaign, Illinois, Caroline originally stayed pretty close to home, choosing Southern Illinois. However, he’d transfer from the Salukis after a decent freshman season, eventually landing at Nevada in 2016. Across the next three seasons, he’d become a full-time starter and major part of the success for the Wolf Pack.
In his first season, he averaged 15.0 points and 9.2 rebounds per game, helping lead Nevada on their first trip to the NCAA Tournament in a decade. He also had a 45-point outburst against New Mexico. During his junior year, he was up to 17.7 points and 8.6 rebounds a game, continuing to be a major contributor, this time as the Wolf Pack won 29 games and advanced to the Sweet Sixteen. Caroline had similar numbers and helped produce another fantastic season as a senior, one that ended in the first round of the 2019 NCAA Tournament.
Caroline was named MWC Tournament MVP as a sophomore and First Team All-MWC in his final two seasons, even landing a place on the league’s All-Defense team. He contributed significantly as Nevada went 86-20 during his three years in the MWC, standing out as a talented scorer and rebounder for the Wolf Pack. That era certainly stands out in Nevada’s basketball lore and Caroline was one of the biggest reasons that it happened.
15. Xavier Thames
It’s been a few years since Thames played college ball, but he developed into an important backcourt role at San Diego State. His collegiate career actually began all the way back in 2009, joining new coach Ken Bone at Washington State for one year before deciding to transfer. After sitting out, he arrived at San Diego State in 2011 and became a critical part of the Aztecs for three seasons, though his best numbers were clearly in his final year.
That last season was brilliant for both Thames and for his Aztecs. He averaged 17.6 points and 3.2 assists per game while making 37% of his 3-pointers on the season. More importantly, he led San Diego State to the regular season title in the MWC and to the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament. He actually averaged 26 points during the Aztecs’ three-game run in the Big Dance, including 30 against North Dakota State in the second round.
For that impressive final season, where Thames led the MWC in steals and was one of the top offensive players, he was named both MWC Player of the Year and All-Defense. Thames played a major role in that postseason success and was an important force throughout his time at San Diego State. Drafted late in the 2014 NBA Draft, there’s no telling what could have happened had he stayed with the Cougars or transferred elsewhere, but he certainly shined in southern California.
14. Hunter Maldonado
There have certainly been some ups and downs at Wyoming in recent years and Maldonado has been along for all of it. A 6’7 guard from Colorado Springs, Colorado, he originally landed at Wyoming back in 2017, playing through this past season. He missed most of his sophomore season due to injury and took advantage of the pandemic year, meaning he did spend six years with the Cowboys.
Maldonado played a minimal role as a freshman and missed a lot of that second year, but there was plenty of production in his final four seasons. He’d average 15.8 points per game in his first season back on the court and had decent assist numbers throughout his career. In his redshirt senior season, he led Wyoming on a 25-win revival, averaging 18.5 points and 6.3 assists a game. This included a 21-point performance in the NCAA Tournament against Indiana. He’d actually score a career-high 36 points against New Mexico in his final ever game during the 2023 MWC Tournament.
He earned All-MWC honors a few times, including the First Team nod for that incredible fifth season. Not only did he have his best scoring season and lead Wyoming back to the Big Dance, but he finished 6th in the nation in assists per games and was all over the court for the Cowboys. Maldonado played his role well for a Wyoming program that was very inconsistent but had some shining moments. His contributions won’t be easy to replace in Laramie.
13. Omari Moore
Things have not been pretty at San Jose State in recent years though it’s fair to say that Moore is a major reason why the Spartans may have turned things around. He’s a 6’6 guard from Pasadena, California who’s developed into a major weapon in San Jose these last four seasons. He’s spent much of that time running the point, starting most of the 117 games he’s played to date with the Spartans.
Moore’s numbers have increased with each passing season. He did average 1.5 steals and 1.0 blocks per game as a sophomore, but the offensive figures kept taking off as an upperclassman. The most impressive work came this past season, leading San Jose State out of the cellar to win 21 games and finish 5th in the MWC. Moore put up 17.4 points, 4.8 assists, and 4.7 rebounds per game, taking the Spartans to the CBI to end the year.
For his incredible senior season, and likely paying tribute to how San Jose State has evolved in recent months, Moore was named MWC Player of the Year and deserved the recognition. He’s become one of the best scorers in the league, while his 168 assists last season ranked 2nd in the conference. Looking throughout recent history, this type of season seemed impossible for San Jose State, but Moore helped spearhead the Spartans’ rise into contention, and he’ll be back next season for year five.
12. Josh Adams
A 6’2 point guard from Parker, Colorado, Adams spent his entire college career at Wyoming. His career started in 2012, with Adams serving as a starter in the Cowboys’ backcourt for nearly his entire four-year run. By the end of that journey, he had become one of the very best players in the MWC and had led his program to the Big Dance.
He averaged just over 12 points a game with decent assist numbers as both a sophomore and junior, though the latter certainly stands out. He led the Cowboys to a 25-win season that included an MWC Tournament title and a trip to the NCAA Tournament, putting up 27 in the semifinals against Boise State. While the Cowboys would take a step back, he exploded as a senior, averaging 24.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game.
Adams was the MWC Tournament MVP in 2015 and played a major role in that postseason success, though it’s hard not to focus on what happened the next season. For that efficient senior season, he was named MWC Player of the Year, finishing 7th in the nation in total points, and among the league leaders in steals, assists, and 3-point shooting. Those upperclassman years were both special in different ways and it’s clear that Adams did plenty of good in those four seasons in Laramie.
11. Derrick Marks
A 6’3 guard from Chicago, Marks had himself a fantastic run at Boise State. His career with the Broncos actually started back in 2011, but his upperclassman years were certainly the highlights of his journey. He had already joined the starting backcourt late in his freshman season and played in the Big Dance as a senior, but you know that we’re only focusing beyond 2013.
As a junior, he averaged 14.9 points a game with decent metrics, but it really was his senior year that stood out above the others. Marks’ game improved in virtually every aspect as he led the Broncos back to the NCAA Tournament. He’d average 19.4 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game while making 43% of his 3-pointers on the year. That season included a few nice offensive efforts and ended with a 23-point outing against Dayton in the First Four.
Marks boasted impressive numbers in that final year and as a result was named MWC Player of the Year. He clearly played a major role in another trip to the Big Dance for Boise State and also led the MWC in points on the year. Marks had impressive steals numbers throughout his career and actually rated as one of the nation’s most efficient players that year. It’s a shame that Boise State couldn’t win a Tournament game, but Marks got to the Dance twice, which is certainly more than a fair number of players in these articles have done.
10. Gian Clavell
A 6’4 wing from Caguas, Puerto Rico, Clavell developed into a significant backcourt threat during his collegiate career. He actually started off at the junior college level, playing a pair of seasons at Northwest Kansas before landing at Colorado State back in 2014. Clavell would actually have three years with the Rams as he’d miss nearly all of his senior season due to injury.
Though not a starter, Clavell was a decent contributor during his junior season, his first at Colorado State, averaging 9.2 points per game during a 27-win year for the Rams. Though that next season was cut short after 10 games, he showed signs of major improvement and that would come to fruition the following year. As a redshirt senior, Clavell averaged 20.4 points and 6.3 rebounds per game, hitting 38% of his 3-pointers while leading the Rams to a 2nd-place finish in the MWC. He had a career-high 37 points in a road win at San Diego State and led the Rams to the NIT to end his career.
Everything came together for Clavell in that final season. He was named MWC Player of the Year and to the league’s All-Defense team. Clavell led the MWC in points per game and 3-point shooting, finished 2nd in steals, and had decent offensive metrics across the board. He didn’t get his chance in the NCAA Tournament but Colorado State was clearly a great program in those two years where he was fully healthy.
9. Marvelle Harris
A 6’4 point guard from Rialto, California, Harris arrived at Fresno State back in 2012. He was among the names on current Texas head coach Rodney Terry’s first recruiting class with the Bulldogs. Harris would develop into an impactful weapon on both sides of the ball at Fresno State and really shined by his senior season.
He took a sophomore leap, nearly doubling his scoring output before averaging 16.4 points and 3.8 assists per game as a junior. The Fresno State program was also taking small steps forward, but both Harris and the Bulldogs really shined in 2016. As a senior, he averaged 20.7 points and 4.5 assists per game, taking Fresno State to the NCAA Tournament after winning the MWC Tournament. His career would end at the hands of Utah in the Big Dance, though he would score 24 points in that effort.
During both his junior and senior years, Harris was named First Team All-MWC and All-Defense in the league. He led the MWC in steals as a junior and assists as a senior, also claiming MWC Tournament MVP honors for an incredible ending to the season. Harris had developed not only into a great ball distributor and point guard, but into one of the league’s best total offensive players. That run in 2016 also remains Fresno State’s most recent trip to the Big Dance.
8. Matt Bradley
Ranked among the nation’s Top 75 prospects in 2018, Bradley got his career started in the Pac-12, landing at California. He actually had three really good years with the Golden Bears, though that program as a whole really struggled. In 2021, he transferred down to San Diego State, becoming a major part of history for the Aztecs these last two seasons.
Bradley became a focal point on offense for San Diego State and was actually the only player to average double-digit points per game for the Aztecs in either of his seasons. He averaged 16.9 points and 5.4 rebounds in year one, shooting 40% from outside the arc, but clearly, this past year was more special. Bradley played a major role in San Diego State’s historic season which ended in the national championship game. He even had 21 points against Florida Atlantic in that thriller in the Final Four.
Bradley was a fantastic player in the Pac-12 but became even more of a legend with the Aztecs. He earned First Team All-MWC honors in both seasons and also claimed the MWC Tournament MVP award in that final season. Clearly, Bradley had more up his sleeve during San Diego State’s three-week journey in the Big Dance, and his role in that breakthrough success secures his place both in Aztec and MWC history. He was the offensive cog on an elite defensive program and he’ll be missed this upcoming season.
7. Chandler Hutchison
Hutchison is a 6’7 wing originally from Mission Viejo, California. He arrived on campus at Boise State back in 2014 and would develop into quite the player over the next four years with the Broncos. It’s a career that included a trip to the NCAA Tournament and really took off late, with Hutchison finding his way to the NBA after Boise.
During those first two seasons, Hutchison wasn’t a major part of Boise State’s offense, though he did get to play in the Big Dance as a freshman. As a junior, he averaged 17.4 points and 7.8 rebounds per game, hitting 37% of his 3-pointers and ending his season in the NIT in style, dropping 34 points at Utah. Senior year was even better, with Hutchison averaging 20.0 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 3.5 assists a game in a 23-win season for the Broncos. Among the highlights were a triple-double against Portland and a 44-point outburst in a win over San Diego State.
Hutchison emerged as a major player at Boise State, earning First Team All-MWC honors in those final two seasons. Not only did he lead the MWC in scoring as a senior, he also earned a place on the All-Defense team, with great rebound and steals numbers as well. Putting up great metrics and contributing to more than 80 wins in four seasons, Hutchison became a first round pick in the 2018 NBA Draft.
6. Matt Mitchell
Mitchell is a 6’6 wing from Riverside, California who certainly played a major role in San Diego State’s success. Between 2017 and 2021, he did some pretty great things for an Aztec program that had a few incredible moments during that span, becoming a menace on both sides of the ball.
As a freshman, Mitchell was already averaging double-digit points per game and would help lead the Aztecs to the MWC Tournament title and his first trip to the Big Dance. He’d put up decent figures during each season, though junior stands out for both him and the program. Mitchell played a big role in San Diego State finishing 30-2 in the pandemic-shortened season and would then average 15.4 points and 5.6 rebounds as a senior the following year.
After earning First Team All-MWC honors during that historic junior season, Mitchell really stood out as a senior. He was named MWC Player of the Year, and Tournament MVP, and secured a place on the All-Defense team. His contributions were significant on both sides of the ball for San Diego State, an elite defensive program that appreciated his offensive contributions. He was a great free throw shooter, an impressive defensive player, and will be remembered by the Aztecs for years to come.
5. David Roddy
Roddy is a 6’5 wing from Minneapolis who turned into quite the basketball player in the MWC. The journey started at Colorado State back in 2019 and saw him really blossom during three seasons with the Rams. Colorado State won at least 20 games in all three of those seasons and Roddy played a starring role in the program’s success.
He joined the starting lineup in late December of his freshman year and would average 11.4 points per game in the season shortened by the pandemic. As a sophomore his numbers took off, averaging 15.9 points and 9.4 rebounds, taking the Rams to a 2nd place finish in the league. Though his rebounding numbers were down as a junior, he truly emerged at the national level with a 36-point performance against Creighton early in the season. He’d later lead Colorado State to the NCAA Tournament, averaging 19.2 points on the season.
Roddy was First Team All-MWC in those last two seasons and was the Player of the Year as a junior. Roddy became a significant player at the national level, ranking among the top scorers, rebounders, and shot blockers in his league. Colorado State went 65-26 across his three seasons with the Rams before becoming a first-round pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. Roddy helped key Colorado State’s turnaround in recent years and was a very important piece to that success.
4. Caleb Martin
While we couldn’t quite fit his twin brother onto the list, Martin certainly had enough impressive talent and success in the MWC to cover both brothers. A 6’7 wing from Mocksville, North Carolina, he was a Top 75 recruit back in 2014 out of Virginia, beginning his career with two decent seasons at NC State. Martin would transfer to Nevada and join Eric Musselman’s program, becoming the biggest star in Nevada’s recent run.
During his junior year, Martin averaged 18.9 points and 5.4 rebounds per game while shooting 40% from outside the arc. He helped guide the Wolf Pack to an extremely successful season that ended in the Sweet Sixteen. As a senior, he’d have considerable success again, putting up 19.2 points a game while leading Nevada to the regular season title in the MWC. He also had a career-high 33 points in a road win at Utah.
Martin was named MWC Player of the Year for that initial season in the league before claiming a second consecutive First Team honor as a senior. Simply put, Martin’s addition to Nevada’s program was paramount to two immensely successful seasons. He was the MWC’s best scorer across those two seasons, leading the conference in steals and 3-pointers as a senior. Martin was drafted in 2019 and remains in the NBA, with Nevada still looking for another player of his aptitude.
3. Neemias Queta
A 7’0 center from Portugal, Queta would play a significant role in Utah State’s recent emergence, starring for three seasons under head coach Craig Smith. Queta’s three years in Provo coincided with Smith’s run as head coach, and the Aggies program did a lot of winning during that time.
Monumental already as a freshman, he’d average 11.8 points and 8.9 rebounds a game to guide the Aggies to MWC regular season and tournament titles. The pandemic shortened his sophomore season, though not before Utah State won another MWC Tournament crown. In his junior season, he’d help guide the Aggies to another 20-win season and a second trip to the NCAA Tournament all while averaging a double-double, putting up 14.9 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game.
Queta’s work was incredible, establishing himself as the best frontcourt weapon in the MWC and as a major defensive stalwart. He was MWC Rookie of the Year in 2019, was twice named Defensive Player of the Year, and guided Utah State to a flurry of victories and success. Not only did he lead the MWC in field goal percentage and rebounding as a junior, but he also led the nation with his 97 blocks. As a result, he was an early second-round draft pick in 2021 and continued his career at the professional level.
2. Sam Merrill
We just mentioned Utah State’s rise and Merrill certainly played a major role in that success with the Aggies. He’s a 6’5 point guard from Bountiful, Utah who arrived on campus back in 2016. He had two decent seasons under head coach Tim Duryea before becoming a major part of Craig Smith’s revival with the Aggies, giving us plenty to talk about today.
A 22-point performance against San Jose State as a freshman showed Merrill’s potential and he’d average more than 16 points a game after making quite a sophomore leap. Those upperclassman seasons were pretty special though. His junior year started with 37 points against Morehead State and ended in the Big Dance, winning the MWC Tournament title. Utah State would repeat the feat in 2020, with Merrill scoring at least 27 points in all three wins to finish off his career. He’d actually average around 20 points per game in each of those final two seasons.
The MWC Player of the Year in 2019, Merrill was the league’s leading scorer as a junior but wasn’t too shabby as a senior either. He was actually named MWC Tournament MVP at the end of both seasons and was one of the best shooters in recent memory in the conference. Not only did he lead the league in free throw shooting and have great assist numbers, but his rise as an upperclassman resulted in two impressive seasons and conference titles for the Aggies.
1. Malachi Flynn
A 6’1 point guard from Tacoma, Washington, Flynn began his collegiate career at Washington State in 2016. He actually developed into a great player for the Cougars, with impressive figures in his sophomore season, but he opted to transfer following that year. Flynn would land at San Diego State and spend just a single season in the MWC, but it was some kind of season.
Flynn was new to the Aztecs but was the principal reason why San Diego State was the nation’s last undefeated team and finished the pandemic-shortened season with a 30-2 record. He averaged 17.6 points, 5.1 assists, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.8 steals per game for the Aztecs. He had a 36-point performance at Nevada late in the year and was obviously a major factor on both sides of the ball in many of San Diego State’s wins across a historic season.
He’d lead the MWC in assists and steals and was one of the top scorers and his trophy cabinet reflected that success. Flynn was a Second Team All-American (the only MWC All-American this past decade) and was named both MWC Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year. From day one he became a star and a leader for an Aztecs team that had an incredible season from beginning to end. The eventual first-round draft picks’ lone complaint is the cancellation of the 2020 NCAA Tournament, eliminating his chance to shine on the national stage with those Aztecs.