Top 15 Indiana Hoosiers College Basketball Players

Indiana University basketball has such an amazing tradition.

Even to this day, with everything that has happened with the Kelvin Sampson debacle, they are still one of the most beloved college basketball programs in all the land.

Five National Championships (1940,1953,1976,1981,1987)

Two National Players of the Year, Scott May (1976) and Calbert Cheaney (1993)

Not to mention the all-time winningest coach in college basketball history, Bobby Knight.

They have had numerous amounts of great players wear the Cream and Crimson. Some better than others, but all playing for that proud tradition.

There may be a few players on this list that some may not agree with or believe that someone else should be on this list. Either way, these are my top 15 greatest Hoosiers of all-time.

15. D.J. White (2005-2008)

After battling injuries and seeing coaching change after coaching change, he would later be rewarded his senior season.

He went on to be named second team All-American, Big Ten Player of the Year, and was a candidate for the Wooden Award and Naismith Award.

That season he was second in the Big Ten in scoring (17.4), first in rebounds (10.3) and field goal percentage (56.2) and fourth in blocked shots (1.64).

His 56.2 career field goal percentage was good enough to rank him second all-time in Hoosier history.

14. Jared Jeffries (2001-2002)

As a sophomore he was a consensus second team All-American and a finalist for the Naismith Award.

He is only the sixth sophomore to crack the 1,000 point mark.

He helped lead an improbable come from behind victory against the Duke Blue Devils in the 2002 NCAA tournament.

Down by as many as 17 at one point, he helped rally the Hoosiers to a 74-73 victory that gave them their first elite 8 appearance since 1993.

They would later lose to Maryland in the finals that year.

13. Damon Bailey (1991-1994)

While at IU, he played in 108 victories including an IU-record, 11 NCAA tournament victories.

He averaged a career best 19.6 points per game that season and finished number seven on IU’s career points list with 1,741.

As a senior he was All-Big Ten and a third team All-American in 1994.

12. A.J. Guyton (1997-2000)

He was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year and second team All-Big Ten after becoming only the second first year player to score 400 points, 100 rebounds, and 100 assists in IU history.

His senior season he won the Big Ten player of the year, first team All-Big Ten and named an All-American.

He currently sits fourth on the IU scoring list with 2,100 points.

11. George McGinnis (1971)

He may have only played one season for the Hoosiers, but he did something that all college players dream of doing.

He led the Big Ten in both scoring (29.9) and rebounding (14.9) in his first and only season as a Hoosier.

Later that year he was named an All-American and would later become a three-time NBA All-Star.

10. Mike Woodson (1977-1980)

Most college basketball fans outside the Hoosier state have never even heard of Woodson.

He averaged 19.8 points a game during his four year tenure at IU.

Leading the Hoosiers to an NIT Championship in 1979, following that up with a Big Ten title in 1980 and being named the Big Ten player of the year while only playing in six league games.

9. Kent Benson (1974-1977)

Was easy to recognize because of his bright red hair, which gave him the nickname “Big Red.”

He played along side Scott May, as they led the Hoosiers to the 1976 National Championship.

Also, he was a three-time All-American, was named All-Big Ten as a sophomore and the Big Ten player of the year in 1977.

8. Walt Bellamy (1959-1961)

He was named an All-American in 1960 and 1961.

He is one of the great rebounders in Hoosier history, as he sits second with 1,088 rebounds behind only Alan Henderson.

He became the first Hoosier taken number one in the NBA draft (Chicago) and the first Hoosier named NBA Rookie of the Year.

7. Archie Dees (1956-1958)

Winning back to back Big Ten MVPs in 1957 and 1958 made him the first Hoosier to win back to back MVPs.

While winning consecutive scoring titles in 1957 and 1958, he also led them to two straight conference titles, a share of one in 1957 and sole possession in 1958.

Won All-American honors in 1957 and 1958 as well.

6. Alan Henderson (1992-1995)

He led the team in rebounding all four years, finishing with an IU record total of 1,091.

Currently, he is the only Indiana University player to rank in the school's top five in scoring, rebounding, blocked shots and steals.

He recorded 50 double-doubles in those four years and was also named an All-American in 1995.

5. Don Schlundt (1952-1955)

He changed the face of Hoosier Basketball forever.

He was IU’s first three-time All-American.

In those three years that he was named an All-American, he also won three Big-Ten scoring titles and the Big Ten MVP in 1953.

At one point in time he held a total of eight separate records for the Hoosiers.

The most notable was the scoring record he held for 32 years until Steve Alford broke it.

Currently, he is the third leading scorer in Hoosiers history with 2,192 points.

He helped lead the Hoosiers to a National Championship in 1953, along with two conference titles in 1953 and 1954.

4. Calbert Cheaney (1990-1993)

When he left IU he was and still is the IU and Big Ten all time leading scorer with 2,613 points.

Was named an All-American and All-Big Ten three consecutive seasons (1991,1992,1993).

When he was a senior in 1993 he became only the second player for IU to win the National Player of the Year award.

Also that season he was a unanimous All-American selection and the Big Ten MVP.

3. Steve Alford (1984-1987)

He is the second leading scoring in Hoosier history with 2,438 points.

In 1986 and 1987 he was named as an All-American and the Big Ten player of the year.

In the 1987 Championship game against Syracuse he netted seven three pointers and ended with 23 points, helping the Hoosiers win their fifth national title.

2. Scott May (1974-1976)

An undefeated season, four Big Ten Championship rings and an NCAA title are just a few of his accomplishments.

He would add to that list by being named an All-American in 1975 and 1976, while winning the NCAA Player of the Year in 1976.

Topping off his magical season in 1976, was an undefeated National Championship that year.

He also helped USA win a gold medal following his senior season.

1. Isiah Thomas (1980-1981)

He is arguably the best player to ever wear the Cream and Crimson.

Starting every game he ever played, leading the team that won back to back Big Ten Championships in 1980 and 1981.

In his final season as a Hoosier he was named an All-American and led the team in scoring and dished out a record total 197 assists in a single season.

In the 1981 championship game, Thomas led all scorers with 23 points and was honored as the Outstanding Player.

Honorable Mentions: Brian Evans (1993-1996), Kirk Haston (1999-2001), Eric Gordon (2008), Keith Smart (1987-1988), and Steve Downing (1971-1973)