They played at big, public universities and small, private colleges, from the Triangle to UCLA and all parts in-between. They played in the 1960s before at-large berths, the 70s, 80s, 90s, the one-and-done 2000s and today. They played in short shorts and baggy ones down to their knees. Some were All-Americans. Others more obscure.
But all 40 players have one thing in common: a place among the Raleigh & Company staff’s favorite college basketball players.
Each team is five players, plus a coach (or two).
Every team includes at least one Triangle player — from North Carolina, Duke or N.C. State. Most have two. One list includes only UNC and State players.
Five players appear on two lists: David Thompson, Donald Williams, Chris Corchiani, Rodney Rogers and Quinn Cook. But that’s nothing close to a consensus. Fittingly, Jim Valvano — the no-doubt avatar for NCAA tournament madness — was the only coach selected twice.
Our favorite players …
SHAWN KREST
Scott Skiles, Michigan State
Quinn Cook, Duke
Rodney Rogers, Wake Forest
Dennis Scott, Georgia Tech
King Rice, North Carolina
Coach | Gregg Marshall, Wichita State or Dr. Brett Reed, Lehigh
KEVIN BREWER
Jalen Rose, Michigan
Stephen Curry, Davidson
Sam Perkins, North Carolina
Bill Bradley, Princeton
Shane Battier, Duke
Coach | Al McGuire, Marquette
R.L. BYNUM
David Thompson, State
James Worthy, North Carolina
Bill Walton, UCLA
Wayne Ellington, North Carolina
Donald Williams, North Carolina
Coach | Jim Valvano, State
KENDRA STOWE
Trevor Lacey, State
T.J. Warren, State
Seth Curry, Duke
Richard Howell, State
Montrezl Harrell, Louisville
Coach | Roy Williams, North Carolina
SHAKER SAMMAN
Quinn Cook, Duke
Trey Burke, Michigan
Matt Stainbrook, Xavier
Kemba Walker, Connecticut
Ryan Kelly, Duke
Coach | Brad Stevens, Butler
TONY CASTLEBERRY
Kenny Anderson, Georgia Tech
Johnny Dawkins, Duke
Chris Jackson, LSU
Stacey Augmon, UNLV
Ray Allen, Connecticut
Coach | John Thompson, Georgetown
ISAAC WEEKS
Donald Williams, North Carolina
Chris Corchiani, State
J.R. Reid, North Carolina
Rasheed Wallace, North Carolina
Eric Montross, North Carolina
Coach | Les Robinson, State
JAMES CURLE
Chris Corchiani, State
David Thompson, State
Grant Hill, Duke
Julius Hodge, State
Tim Duncan, Wake Forest
Coach | Jim Valvano, State
J.P. MUNDY
Steve Alford, Indiana
Randolph Childress, Wake Forest
Chris Lofton, Tennessee
J.J. Redick, Duke
Rodney Rogers, Wake Forest
Coach | Pat Summitt, Tennessee