Top 10 College Players To Play For Lakers In Last Decade
By Nate Edelman
As the NCAA Tournament comes to a close in Indianapolis, it is fun to look back and see what Lakers had the most success in college. Here are the top-10 college players who wore a Lakers uniform in the last 10 years.
10. Ryan Kelly (Duke 2009-2013)
Even though Ryan Kelly may not be impressing many in the NBA, Kelly was a prominent leader for Mike Krzyzewski’s Duke Blue Devils. As a freshmen, Kelly won an NCAA Championship, but only averaged 1.2 points per game as a backup to Kyle Singler. Over time, Kelly was called on more, and by his senior year Kelly averaged 12.9 points per game, 1.6 blocks, and 5.3 rebounds. Kelly also led his team to an Elite 8 Appearance in the 2013 NCAA Tournament, where they fell to eventual champion Louisville.
9. Nick Young (USC 2004-2007)
Before he was known to us Lakers fans as Swaggy P, Young averaged 15 points per game in his three years as a Trojan. He also led the Trojans to a Sweet 16 appearance in the 2007 NCAA Tournament. In the first round, Young led the Trojans to a 77-60 victory over Arkansas, and in the second round, Young scored 22 points in a rout over the Kevin Durant-led Texas Longhorns. He also was on the All Pac-10 first-team in his sophomore and junior year.
8. Brian Cook (Illinois 2000-2003)
Raise your hand if you remember Brian Cook on the Lakers! As a senior, Cook averaged 20 points per game and was named the most valuable player of the Big 10 Conference. Cook led the Illini to a 1 seed in the 2001 NCAA Tournament, where they eventually lost to the Arizona Wildcats in the Elite 8. Cook left Illinois as the school’s third all-time leading scorer with 1,748 points.
7. Caron Butler (Connecticut 2000-2002)
Wow, a Lakers throwback! As a freshmen, Butler both lead the Huskies in scoring and rebounding, averaging 15.6 points and 7.6 rebounds per game. Also, Butler averaged 20.3 points per game and 7.5 rebounds per game in an impressive sophomore season. Butler was named co-Big East player of the year and led Connecticut to the Elite 8 where they lost to the eventual champion Maryland.
6. Julius Randle (Kentucky 2013-2014)
The Lakers prized rookie helped Kentucky reach the national championship game in his one year as a Wildcat. He finished the season with 24 double-doubles, the second most double-doubles by a Kentucky player in school history. Randle finished as a semifinalist for the Naismith College Player of the Year.
5. Antawn Jamison (North Carolina 1995-1998)
Jamison averaged 19.0 points and 9.9 rebounds per game during his three years as a Tarheel. His number was retired at the Dean E. Smith Center, becoming only the 7th North Carolina player to have their jersey retired. As a junior, he won both the Wooden Award and the Naismith Award as the most outstanding college basketball player.
4. Jordan Farmar (UCLA 2004-2006)
Farmar, a fan-favorite on the Lakers 2009 and 2010 championship squads, had an impressive two-year career at UCLA. As a freshmen, Farmar was the Pac-10 Freshmen of the year, leading his team in assists and free throw average. He was also was the Rivals.com Freshmen of the Year.
Farmar’s defining moment as a Bruin came when he was a sophomore during UCLA’s Sweet 16 match-up against Gonzaga. In the Bruins’ furious comeback to win the game, Farmar made a memorable steal and assist to give UCLA the lead for good. Farmar finished his career losing to the Florida Gators in the 2006 National Championship Game.
3. Wayne Ellington (North Carolina 2006-2009)
Ah, yes. Another player that will be remembered more for his college career than his time in the NBA. Ellington made an immediate impact as a freshmen, averaging 11.7 point per game.Throughout his career, Ellington was relied on heavily in key situations as a Tarheel. In a game against 19th ranked Clemson, Ellington scored the game winner with 0.4 seconds left in overtime to lead North Carolina to a 90-88 victory. In his junior (and last) season, Ellington lead his team to the National Championship, where they defeated Michigan State 89-72. Ellington was named to the All-Tournament Team and the NCAA Tournament’s Most Valuable Player.
2. Steve Nash (Santa Clara 1992-1996)
Nash, before the NBA, was mostly unknown due to him not playing for a major college conference. In his 4 years as a Bronco, Nash averaged 14.9 points and 4.5 assists per game. Nash will mostly be remembered for knocking off the No. 2 ranked Arizona Wildcats in the 1993 NCAA Tournament, where he scored 6 straight free throws with 30 seconds left to win the game. He holds Santa Clara’s single-season free-throw percentage record and is third on the school’s all-time scoring list with 1,689 points.
1. Adam Morrison Gonzaga (2003-2006)
Adam Morrison, the best for last! How many times do you hear that nowadays? As a sophomore, he averaged 19.0 points per-game, including making a game-winner with 0.6 seconds left in a 28 point performance against San Francisco. In Morrison’s junior year, he had 13 games where he scored 30 or more points, and 5 games where he scored over 40 points. His 28.1 points per game also lead the nation in 2005-2006. He finished his career at Gonzaga sharing the national player award with Duke’s J.J. Redick.