College Basketball's Top 5 Undersized Big Men of All Time: 6'7 And Under

By (Correspondent) on March 26, 2009

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DENVER - MARCH 22:  DeJuan Blair #45 of the Pittsburgh Panthers celebrates scoring against the Michigan State Spartans during the second round game of the South Regional as part of the 2008 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Pepsi Center on March 22, 200

Throughout the history of college basketball, we have seen some great players, but this is a tribute to the best and most powerful undersized big men of all time. By undersized I mean 6'7" and under.

This list and ranking is based on these individuals college career not taking into account what their NBA career may have been. We will go from No. 5 to No. 1, let's go!

5. Rodney Rogers, Wake Forest

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 19:   Rodney Rogers #54 of the New Jersey Nets reacts to a call during the NBA game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Continental Airlines Arena on December 19, 2002 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.  The Nets won 98-71.  NOTE

Rodney Rodgers 6'7", 235 lbs.
Played three seasons at Wake Forest
Best season: FG .614, PPG 20.5, RPG 8.5, APG 2.8
1993 ACC Player of the Year, Second Team All American

A physical specimen with a chiseled body, his game was tough to stop. He could play inside and out with three-point range.

(Hope he makes a full recovery from his paralyzing accident.)

4. Charles Barkley, Auburn

13 May 1997:  Forward Charles Barkley of the Houston Rockets lays on the floor before a playoff game against the Seattle Supersonics at the Summit in Houston, Texas.  The Supersonics won the game 100-94. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Dunn  /Allsport

Charles Barkley 6’4", 265 lbs.-300 lbs.
SEC Player of the year, 1984 and third team All American
Best season: FG .638, PPG 15.1, RPG 9.5

Clearly, Chuck became the best undersized power player ever during his NBA career, but his NCAA dominance only gets him No. 4 on my list.

He made it to one "Big Dance" in 1984 before going on to become the standard for the short big man.

3. DeJuan Blair, Pitt

DAYTON, OH - MARCH 22:  DeJuan Blair #45 of the Pittsburgh Panthers reacts between plays against the Oklahoma State Cowboys during the second round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at the University of Dayton Arena on March 22, 2009 in D

DeJuan Blair 6'7", 265 lbs.
Best season: FG .596, PPG 15.8, RPG 12.3

Putting Mr. Blair ahead of Sir Charles may be crazy to some, but we are talking college career. Blair is in the midst of a better run than Barkley ever had in the tournament.

The sight of DeJuan nearly snapping off Hasheem Thabeet's arm was scary. He's a player of the year candidate and deserving of his number No. 3 ranking of the best undersized big men.

2. Corliss Williamson, Arkansas

AUBURN HILLS, MI - JUNE 13:  Corliss Williamson #34 of the Detroit Pistons celebrates on the bench during the second quarter in game four of the 2004 NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers on June 13, 2004 at The Palace of Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills,

Corliss Williamson 6'7", 245 lbs.
1993-94 Final Four first team, MVP of Final Four, and won National Championship
Best season: FG .550, PPG 19.7, RPG 7.5

“The Big Nasty” was a beast in college, leading his Arkansas Razorbacks to it's first and only National Championship. At the pro level he was a 'tweener, but in college he was unstoppable. He played with toughness and grit combined with winning, which is why he is No. 2 on the list.

1. Larry Johnson, UNLV

1989-1990:  Forward Larry Johnson of the UNLV Rebels prepares to shoot a basket. Mandatory Credit: Ken Levine  /Allsport

Larry Johnson 6’4", 250 lbs.
Winner of '91 Wooden Award & Nasmith Award, 1990 National championship
Best season: FG .662, PPG 22.7, RPG 10.9, APG 3.0, SPG 2.1

Larry Johnson's two seasons at UNLV were as dominant as any other player in NCAA history. He led the Rebels to back to back tournament Final Four's winning it all in 1990.

Johnson's powerful game was unstoppable at the collegiate level and he went on to have a very successful NBA career. His dominance statistically and his winning the ultimate prize makes him the obvious choice for No. 1 on the list of best undersized big men in college basketball history.

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