Hoosier love: The best Indiana University college hoops players of all-time

After prepping at South Bend's famed Clay High School, the 6-foot-9 Schlundt was even better while playing for Branch McCracken's Hoosiers. He was a consensus All-American, who left Indiana as the school's career scoring leader with 2,192 and helped the program win its second national championship in 1953. As far as Indiana big men go, there aren't many considered better than Schlundt, who was inducted into the school's athletics Hall of Fame.

Teaming with Don Schlundt, Leonard was part of that 1952-53 Indiana national championship squad. In fact, "Slick," as he was affectionately known, hit the winning free throw in the Hoosiers' 69-68 title-game victory over Kansas. During his three seasons in Bloomington, Leonard averaged 15.5 points and was named a second- and third-team All-American by The Associated Press. Following his playing career, Leonard guided the Indiana Pacers to three ABA titles as a coach, for which he was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame.

The great Archie Dees is one of three basketball players, and two Hoosiers, to twice earn Big Ten Most Valuable Player honors during his stellar collegiate career. Those awards came during the 1956-57 and 1957-58 seasons. The 6-foot-8 Dees averaged 25.0 and 25.5 points per game, respectively, in those seasons to etch his name in Hoosiers basketball lore. He was named to Indiana University's All-Century Team for basketball. 

Figuring out who is the best Indiana University basketball player of all time can be a pretty tall order. But, Bellamy's name is usually included in any such conversation. He played in just 70 games over three seasons but averaged 20.6 points and 15.5 rebounds for his career. Bellamy's 1,087 boards were the most in school history at the time and the 33 he pulled down against Michigan in his final collegiate contest remain a program record. In 1961, Bellamy became the first Indiana University player to be taken No. 1 overall in the NBA Draft, win NBA Rookie of the Year, and an Olympic gold medal (1960). 

To the casual college hoops fan, Rayl might not be a household name like others on this list. Yet, he's a true Hoosiers legend. During his three seasons at Indiana, Rayl averaged 20.6 points, including 29.8 during the 1962 season. The pride of Kokomo, Ind., Rayl was known for his ability to sink shots from distance. He set a Big Ten record with his 56 points against Minnesota as a junior. Rayl dropped on another 56 on Michigan State as a senior.

It only lasted for one season, but George McGinnis' exceptional 1970-71 season at Indiana is still one of legends. He averaged a Big Ten-best 30 points. 14.7 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 24 games for Lou Watson's Hoosiers -- the coach right before Bob Knight was hired. The 6-8 McGinnis, who went on to enjoy a Hall-of-Fame career in the ABA and NBA, earned All-American status for that truly special season in Bloomington.

We're getting into the stars of Bob Knight's 1975-76 undefeated squad (32-0). Buckner was a four-year starter and three-year captain for the Hoosiers. The Hoosiers also reached the Final Four during his freshman season. He averaged just 10.0 points for his Indiana career, but Buckner dished out 4.5 assists and pulled down nearly four rebounds per contest and will go down as one of the great leaders on and off the court. Buckner also won Olympic gold for the United States in 1976.

Following a rough start to his Indiana career, May eventually solidified himself as one of the great college basketball players of all time. Not just at Indiana. His 1975-76 season, when he averaged 23.5 points, 7.7 boards, and 2.1 assists -- all career highs -- for the undefeated Hoosiers, has certainly gone down as one of the best in all college hoops history. May was honored as the national player of the year that season, after averaging 16.3 points and 6.6 rebounds in 1974-75, and joined IU teammate Quinn Buckner as an Olympic gold medalist in '76.

Benson certainly left his mark as a Hoosier before enjoying a successful NBA career. Not only was the 6-11 post-presence a star of Indiana's 32-0 team, but Benson was a two-time All-American and the 1977 Big Ten Player of the Year, when he averaged career-highs of 19.8 points and 10.5 rebounds -- with Quinn Buckner and Scott May both gone. Benson ranks ninth in school history with 1,740 career points and third in career rebounds with 1,031.

We'll see how well Woodson does as Indiana's head coach. However, if he's anywhere near as successful in that role as he was while playing for the Hoosiers, these could be good times for the program and its dedicated fan base. Woodson's 2,061 points over four seasons at Indiana rank fifth all-time in school history. He averaged 19.8 career points, plus 5.6 rebounds. Averaging 21 points, Woodson helped the Hoosiers win the 1979 NIT title. 

Wittman doesn't have the gaudy numbers that some of these other Hoosier greats on this list possess, but he's often considered one of the best "team" players in the program history. He was also a key piece to Indiana's 1981 national championship squad. That said, Wittman totaled 1,549 points -- averaging 19.0 ppg in 1982-83 -- plus more than 400 rebounds, 300 assists, and 100 steals over a span of 133 career games. 

Arguably Indiana's most famous star, despite playing just two seasons. Of course, one of those seasons (1980-81) resulted in the Hoosiers winning a national championship. Thomas' Indiana tenure under coach Bob Knight wasn't always easy, but by his sophomore season, the two were chummy and respect ran rampant. In his final season, Thomas averaged 16.0 points, 5.8 assists and was the '81 NCAA Tournament's Most Outstanding Player. In his two Indiana seasons, Thomas shot 53.4 percent.

Practically on the heels of Isiah Thomas' Indiana success came Alford. In fact, Alford seemed destined to enjoy the level of success he did with the Hoosiers. Indiana's Mr. Basketball from New Castle, Alford was a two-time consensus All-American, the Big Ten's Most Valuable Player in 1987, and leader of that 1986-87 national championship group. Alford's 2,438 career points rank second in school history (19.5 ppg). He shot 53.3 percent for his college career and went 107-of-202 (53 percent) from 3-point range in his final season. Alford also recorded 385 assists and 345 rebounds.

To the Indiana outsider, Cheaney might be best remembered for his involvement in the whipping incident with coach Bob Knight during a practice session at the 1992 NCAA Tournament. Cheaney also played some basketball. When his four-year career at Indiana finished, he was the Big Ten's all-time leading scorer with 2,613 points. Cheaney, who averaged 19.8 points, while shooting 55.9 percent, and 5.4 rebounds for his career was the national player of the year in 1993.

There are plenty of Indiana basketball fans who think Bailey was a bust, mostly because he never lived up to the ridiculous, over-the-top hype that surrounded him since he was an eighth-grader. Sure, the Hoosiers didn't win a national title during Bailey's time in Bloomington, but they did reach the Final Four in 1992. Individually, Bailey ranks eighth on the school's all-time scoring list with 1,741 points and his 474 assists are sixth-most in program history. Bailey, the Big Ten Freshman of the Year in 1991, shot 48.5 percent for his career, and 43.7 from 3-point range.

One of the all-around best players in Indiana basketball history. Henderson, also part of the 1992 Final Four team, Henderson is the Hoosiers' all-time leader with 1,091 rebounds. He also ranks seventh in school history with 1,741 points. As a senior, Henderson averaged 23.5 points -- the highest by any player in a single season during Bob Knight's coaching tenure. A season earlier, he averaged 17.8 points and a career-best 10.3 rebounds.

Guyton was a pillar of consistency for the Hoosiers, starting 122 of the 128 games he played. He finished with exactly 2,100 points for his career -- fourth-most in school history. Guyton, who averaged 16.4 points and shot 45.5 percent for his career, also entered the 2021-22 season ranked eighth all-time at Indiana with 403 assists and 10th in steals (128). He was named a first-team All-American in 2000, the same season he earned Big Ten Player of the Year honors. 

Jeffries is another talent who made the most of his relatively brief time at Indiana. In his two seasons, the 6-10 Bloomington product averaged 14.4 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 2.2 assists. He was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year in 2001 and improved to be tabbed Big Ten Player of the Year in 2002. During the latter season, Jeffries helped the Hoosiers make a rather surprising run to the national final under Mike Davis.

Like Jared Jeffries, Zeller, a basketball legend in his hometown of Washington, Ind., spent just two seasons playing for the Hoosiers. But, made a lasting mark in the process. Through 72 collegiate games, Zeller averaged 16.1 points and 7.3 rebounds. He shot 59.1 percent for his career and was the Big Ten Freshman of the Year in 2012. The 7-footer was among the leaders on the 2012-13 Hoosiers' squad that won a Big Ten championship. 

Ferrell is the most recent star on this list, and already among the all-time favorites in the history of Indiana basketball. In four seasons with the Hoosiers, the Indianapolis native averaged 14.5 points and shot 40 percent from 3-point range. His 1,986 points rank sixth all-time in school history. But, in addition to his hard-nosed play and ever-flowing smile, Ferrell left Indiana as the program's all-time assists leader at 633.