Quite possibly my favorite sports team to root for, one that I have rooted for since I was a child. I have seen the best of the Huskies when they were winning championships to times they couldn’t make the NIT, whether I was in the XL Center nosebleeds or two rows up from the court at Gampel. Here is my All Time Uconn mens roster.
Coach, Jim Calhoun 1986-2012: Yeah, really no debate here. Calhoun is the clear cut answer for this, enough said. All though, Kevin Ollie did take a picture with me once, I’ll give it to Calhoun.
Just look at that god damn Rickie Fowler Puma drip. I was a killer.
Guard, Kemba Walker 2008-2011: My favorite Husky of all time and the best guard in Uconn history. Walker averaged 16.1 points per game and 23.5 in his last season as a Husky. He also led Uconn to a National Championship win in 2011 and was added to the Huskies of Honor.
Guard, Rip Hamilton 1996-1999: The only other argument for this guard position is Ray Allen but, Rip Hamilton added more to the Huskies than Allen. He was the leader on the Huskies very first National Championship squad in 1999 against Duke. That same season, he won Tournament Most Outstanding Player and put up 27 against the Blue Devils.
Forward, Caron Butler 2000-2002: A journeyman NBA player who won a title in 2011 left his stamp on the Uconn basketball world. In 2002, he was the Big East Player of the Year, First Team All Big East, and a second team All American while averaging 20.3 points per game and 7.5 rebounds
Forward, Cliff Robinson 1985-1989: First off, r.i.p to Cliff Robinson, a Uconn legend who passed away last August. Robinson was one of the first big name guys in the Jim Calhoun era when he averaged 15.1 points per game and 1.1 blocks.
Center, Emeka Okafor 2001-2004: What didn’t Emeka Okafor do in college. He was two time All Big East, 2004 Big East Player of the Year, 2004 All American, 2003 blocks leader, Pete Newell Big Man of the Year in 2004, two time Big East Defensive Player of the Year, and the 2004 Chip Hilton Player of the Year. Wow, that was a lot to type. In his Husky career he averaged 13.8 points per game and 4.3 block per game. Arguably, the greatest Husky ever.
Bench, Donyell Marshall 1991-1994: At 6’9 with a lethal shot from deep, he was an absolute matchup nightmare. In 1994, he led the Huskies to the Sweet Sixteen in 1994 and averaged 25.1 points per game that season.
Bench, Ray Allen 1993-1996: It was tough not having Jesus Shuttlesworth in the starting five but, I had to ride with Rip. Allen averaged 19 points per game in his career and hit 233 threes.
Bench, Rudy Gay 2004-2006: Gay was the 8th overall pick in the ‘06 draft, and for good reason. As a Husky, he averaged 13.8 points per game and 1.7 blocks. In 2005 he was Big East Rookie of the Year and was First Team All Big East in 2006.
Bench, Shabazz Napier 2010-2014: Shabazz was a guy I grew up watching and idolized. He won two National Championships in ‘11 and ‘14 and won the Bob Cousy Award in 2014 while also, being named 2014 AAC Player of the Year.
Bench, Hasheem Thabeet 2006-2009: An absolute stud in college but, unfortunately was a bust in the NBA. Like Okafor, he was a two time Big East Defensive Player of the Year. He was also the 2009 Big East Player of the Year and a Second Team All American.
Bench, Nadav Henefeld 1989-1990: While his Israeli counterpart Doron Sheffer did not make this team, Henefeld’s slightly better resume put him on the bench. He was the 1990 Big East Rookie of the Year and Third Team All Big East.
Bench, Khalid El-Amin 1997-2000: While the accolades for El-Amin aren’t there, he was a phenomenal player. He won a National Championship in 1999 and averaged 15.3 points per game and 4.4 assists in his career.
Honorable Mention: Doron Sheffer (1993-1996), Ryan Boatright (2011-2015), Ben Gordon (2001-2004), Jeremy Lamb (2010-2012), Corny Thompson (1978-1982), Amida Brimah (2013-2017)