Top 20 Big Ten Basketball players of all time

Legacy. Winning. Dominance. These 20 legends built Big Ten Basketball.

There is no conference in America with a deeper, richer, and more historically significant basketball tradition than the Big Ten. Across generations, the league has produced dominant scorers, National Players of the Year, transcendent champions, and program-changing icons. This list looks exclusively at players who competed while their universities were members of the Big Ten — meaning legends such as Len Bias, Juan Dixon, and others from Maryland, Rutgers, Penn State, or Nebraska before conference expansion were not eligible.

Criteria

The rankings are based on:

• Winning and postseason success

• Individual dominance

• Awards, accolades, and consistency

• Historical impact and legacy

Separating the top ten was nearly impossible — the greatness in this league runs deep.

20) Joe Barry Carroll, Purdue

Joe Barry Carroll was the most dominant center Purdue ever produced, a 7’1″ shot-blocking force who became the defining star of late-70s Big Ten basketball. Carroll carried Purdue to the 1980 Final Four, anchoring an elite defense while averaging over 20 points and 12 rebounds per game. His senior season earned him All-American honors, and no player in Purdue history blended size, power, and skill the way Carroll did. His rim protection changed games, and his presence alone forced opponents to alter their entire offensive strategy. Carroll’s legacy is still felt at Purdue, where he is remembered as the program’s first great modern big man.

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19) Kent Benson, Indiana

Kent Benson was the interior backbone of Indiana’s 1976 undefeated national championship team, the last team in men’s college basketball to finish a season without a loss. While Benson was not a flashy player, his intelligence, toughness, and consistency made him the perfect fit for Bob Knight’s motion offense. Benson was a rugged screener, a strong rebounder, and a reliable interior scorer who rarely made mistakes. Indiana lost only one game during Benson’s final two seasons. He was named the 1976 NCAA Tournament’s Most Outstanding Player and later became the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft. While his pro career disappointed, his Big Ten legacy is untouchable.

INDIANA BASKETBALL LEGEND KENT BENSON ON BIG TEN EXPANSION

18) Gary Bradds, Ohio State

Gary Bradds had impossibly large shoes to fill when he arrived at Ohio State following the Jerry Lucas era — yet he somehow exceeded expectations. Bradds averaged over 33 points per game as a senior and was named the National Player of the Year in 1964. His scoring ability was unmatched for his time, featuring deep shooting range (before the 3-point line), elite footwork, and a relentless motor. Playing alongside legends such as Bobby Knight earlier in his career, Bradds helped Ohio State remain a dominant national contender. His jersey hangs among the greats in Columbus, and he remains one of the purest scorers in Big Ten history.

17) John Wooden, Purdue

Before he became the most successful coach in the history of basketball, John Wooden was a superstar player at Purdue. From 1929 to 1932, Wooden was the conference’s premier guard — tough, efficient, and intelligent. He led Purdue to the 1932 National Championship (Helms title) and became a three-time All-American. His crisp fundamentals and leadership on the court foreshadowed what would become his legendary coaching career. Wooden is often remembered only for UCLA, but his playing career at Purdue was extraordinary, and he remains one of the best all-around guards the Big Ten has ever seen.

Gary Bradds – Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement

16) Don Schlundt, Indiana

Don Schlundt was Indiana’s first great post-war superstar. Playing from 1951–1955, Schlundt became a dominant inside scorer, setting the school’s all-time scoring record — one that stood until Steve Alford broke it over 30 years later. Schlundt led Indiana to the 1953 National Championship, anchoring a balanced but deadly Hoosier offense. A three-time All-American, Schlundt was nearly unstoppable near the basket, combining soft touch with a powerful frame. His ability to score in traffic and draw fouls made him one of the most efficient players of his era. Schlundt remains one of the foundational legends of Indiana basketball.

Reid Duffy Chronicles: Bob Leonard Indiana University 1953 NCCA Basketball Champions

15) Steve Smith, Michigan State

Steve Smith was a 6’7″ scoring machine with elite versatility, smooth shooting touch, and unmatched competitive fire. One of the greatest players Tom Izzo ever coached prior to the Final Four era, Smith averaged over 20 points per game during his junior and senior seasons and became one of the most feared shot-makers in the country. His combination of size, court vision, and clutch shooting made him nearly unguardable. Smith carried Michigan State to Big Ten success and became a two-time All-American, later enjoying a long, productive NBA career. His jersey rightfully hangs in the rafters at the Breslin Center.

2016 NCAA Silver Anniversary Award recipient Steve Smith

14) John Kotz, Wisconsin

John Kotz was Wisconsin’s first true basketball superstar. Playing in the early 1940s, Kotz led the Badgers to their first and only National Championship in 1941 and was named the NCAA Tournament’s Most Outstanding Player. Kotz was a versatile two-way threat, equally effective as a scorer, passer, and defender. His leadership in the pre-war era helped establish Wisconsin as a national basketball power. Even more impressively, Kotz performed during a time when the game was slower, more physical, and less structured — yet he still became one of the decade’s standout players. Badger fans still regard him as an icon.

1941 National Championship Highlights: Wisconsin and Washington State

13) Steve Alford, Indiana

Steve Alford remains one of the most beloved players in the history of Indiana basketball. A hometown hero from New Castle, Alford became the Hoosiers’ all-time leading scorer (later surpassed by Calbert Cheaney) and one of the greatest shooters the conference has ever seen. He led Indiana to the 1987 National Championship, hitting clutch shots throughout the tournament and providing veteran leadership to a young team. A two-time All-American, Alford’s scoring efficiency, competitive fire, and mastery of Bob Knight’s system made him one of the most iconic players of the 1980s.

Steve Alford is Indiana hoops through and through

12) Mateen Cleaves, Michigan State

Mateen Cleaves was the heartbeat of Michigan State’s resurgence under Tom Izzo. A fiery competitor and emotional leader, Cleaves became a three-time All-American, three-time team captain, and the driving force behind the Spartans’ 2000 National Championship team. Cleaves’ passing, toughness, and relentless defensive pressure defined the early Izzo era, and his leadership elevated those around him. Known for his clutch performances and uncanny ability to control tempo, Cleaves remains one of the great point guards in Big Ten history and the standard for all future Michigan State floor generals.

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11) Andy Phillip, Illinois

Andy Phillip was the centerpiece of Illinois basketball in the early 1940s and arguably the greatest player the program has ever produced. A do-it-all guard with exceptional scoring and passing ability, Phillip became a three-time All-American and the 1943 National Player of the Year. His career was interrupted by World War II, but his impact remains legendary. Phillip was a pioneer for modern guard play, mastering fast breaks, ball distribution, and floor leadership decades before those concepts became mainstream. He is still considered the most complete player Illinois has ever had.

10) Ronnie Lester, Iowa

Ronnie Lester is often regarded by Iowa fans as the greatest Hawkeye ever — and for good reason. A dynamic guard with elite quickness, vision, and scoring ability, Lester earned First-Team All-American honors in 1979 and led Iowa to the 1980 Final Four. Unfortunately, a knee injury in the national semifinal derailed Iowa’s title hopes — the Hawkeyes were leading UCLA early and controlling the game before Lester went down. When healthy, Lester was electrifying and nearly unstoppable, setting Iowa records for assists, field goals, and total points. Many believe that without the injury, Lester would have delivered a national title.

Hawkeye Basketball Legend Ronnie Lester #12 Jersey Retirement Ceremony @ Fieldhouse on March 1, 1980

9) Glenn Robinson, Purdue

Glenn “Big Dog” Robinson arrived at Purdue and immediately became one of the most dominant players in Big Ten history. In 1994, Robinson put together one of the greatest single seasons ever: 30.3 points, 10.1 rebounds, and National Player of the Year honors. He carried Purdue to the Elite Eight and elevated the Boilermakers into the national spotlight. Robinson combined power, mid-range efficiency, and smooth athleticism into a nearly unstoppable offensive package. He is still regarded as one of the most complete forwards ever to play in the conference and the greatest Purdue scorer of all time.

Glenn Robinson Official Purdue Boilermakers Highlights

8) Calbert Cheaney, Indiana

Calbert Cheaney remains the Big Ten’s all-time leading scorer with 2,613 points — a record that may never be broken. A three-time All-American under Bob Knight, Cheaney was the perfect blend of size, smoothness, shooting touch, and defensive versatility. He led Indiana to the 1992 Final Four and the 1993 Elite Eight, starring on some of Knight’s most talented teams. Despite heavy expectations, Cheaney consistently delivered and earned National Player of the Year honors in 1993. His dominance, efficiency, and longevity make him one of the greatest wings the Big Ten has ever produced.

Calbert Cheaney Segment

7) Glen Rice, Michigan

Glen Rice is Michigan’s all-time leading scorer and one of the most efficient offensive players in Big Ten history. In 1989, Rice put together one of the greatest NCAA Tournament runs ever, averaging over 30 points per game and leading the Wolverines to the National Championship. His shooting was revolutionary — deep range long before the NBA adopted it fully — and his versatility allowed him to play the 2, 3, or 4 positions seamlessly. Rice set numerous Michigan scoring records and remains the gold standard for Wolverine basketball excellence.

Flashback: Glen Rice Highlights in 1989 Final Four Win vs. Illinois | Michigan Basketball

6) Cazzie Russell, Michigan

Cazzie Russell was the first true megastar in Michigan basketball history. A three-time All-American and the 1966 National Player of the Year, Russell led the Wolverines to back-to-back Final Four appearances in 1964 and 1965. His scoring ability, leadership, and flair made him one of the most exciting players of the 1960s. Russell set the foundation for Michigan’s modern basketball success and remains one of the most revered athletes ever to wear the maize and blue. Without Russell, Michigan’s basketball tradition simply would not exist in its current form.

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5) Rick Mount, Purdue

Rick Mount was one of the greatest pure scorers the sport has ever seen — a legendary shooter decades ahead of his time. Without the three-point line, Mount still averaged over 32 points per game, and many historians believe he would have averaged 40+ in today’s era. Mount carried Purdue to the 1969 National Championship Game, where he nearly led the Boilermakers to an upset of John Wooden’s UCLA dynasty. His shooting form, range, and confidence were unmatched. Mount is still regarded by many as the greatest shooter in college basketball history.

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4. Braden Smith, Purdue

Braden Smith has earned a place among the 20 greatest players in Big Ten history because he combined elite production, winning, durability, and historic accomplishments in a way few conference players ever have. During his career at Purdue, Smith developed from an underrated recruit into arguably the greatest point guard the conference has ever produced. He was a three-time First Team All-Big Ten selection, the 2025 Big Ten Player of the Year, a two-time Consensus First Team All-American, and the winner of the prestigious Bob Cousy Award as the nation’s top point guard.

What truly separates Smith is that he became both the Big Ten’s all-time assists leader and the NCAA’s all-time assists leader, finishing his career with 1,103 assists. He consistently controlled games with his vision, leadership, and basketball IQ while leading Purdue to multiple Big Ten championships and deep NCAA Tournament runs.

The Big Ten has produced legends such as Magic Johnson, Jerry Lucas, Isiah Thomas, Glenn Robinson, and Zach Edey. Braden Smith belongs in that conversation because he redefined what a point guard could accomplish in the conference. His combination of individual awards, team success, and record-breaking production makes him one of the greatest players ever to wear a Big Ten uniform.

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3) Isiah Thomas, Indiana

Isiah Thomas played only two seasons at Indiana — but his impact was monumental. A brilliant point guard with unmatched toughness, court vision, and swagger, Thomas led Indiana to the 1981 National Championship, earning Final Four Most Outstanding Player honors. Thomas dominated the Big Ten from the moment he arrived, winning the conference title both seasons and carrying a flawed team to a national title with his leadership and clutch play. Bob Knight called Thomas the smartest player he ever coached. He is widely regarded as the greatest guard in Indiana history and one of the best in conference history.

Isaiah Thomas 1981 Indiana Hoosiers Championship Highlights

2) Magic Johnson, Michigan State

Magic Johnson changed basketball forever. A 6’9″ point guard with vision, charisma, and game-breaking creativity, Magic led Michigan State to the 1979 National Championship, defeating Larry Bird in the most-watched college basketball game ever played. Magic’s ability to elevate teammates was unprecedented — he turned MSU into a powerhouse overnight. A two-time All-American and the Big Ten’s most charismatic player ever, Magic revolutionized the sport and remains one of its most influential figures. If not for Jerry Lucas’ unreal resume, Magic would sit at No. 1.

Magic Johnson – Michigan State Highlights

1) Jerry Lucas, Ohio State

Jerry Lucas is the greatest player in Big Ten history — and it isn’t particularly close. A three-time All-American, three-time Big Ten Player of the Year, and two-time National Player of the Year, Lucas dominated the sport in a way few players ever have. He led Ohio State to three straight Final Fours (1960–62) and won the 1960 National Championship. Lucas was a legendary rebounder, a flawless shooter, and one of the most intelligent players the game has ever seen. His college career ranks among the greatest in basketball history, not just Big Ten history.

Ohio State honors basketball legend Jerry Lucas with statue