Louisville basketball: Ranking the top 100 players of all time

LOUISVILLE, KY - JANUARY 16: Louisville Cardinals mascot in action in the first half of the game against the Boston College Eagles at KFC YUM! Center on January 16, 2019 in Louisville, Kentucky. Louisville won 80-70. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
LOUISVILLE, KY - JANUARY 16: Louisville Cardinals mascot in action in the first half of the game against the Boston College Eagles at KFC YUM! Center on January 16, 2019 in Louisville, Kentucky. Louisville won 80-70. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
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louisville basketball, uofl basketball, top players of all time
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY – JANUARY 21: Luke Whitehead #24 of the University of Louisville Cardinals dribbles the ball towards the Louisville basket after a steal against the Cincinnati Bearcats on January 21, 2004 at Freedom Hall in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

100: James “Boo” Brewer

I can still hear the sound of “booooos” as John Tong announced his name at Freedom Hall. Boo was a well-rounded starter and a reliable hot-hand from behind the arc. He is fifth all-time in school three-point percentage (.397).

99: Terry Howard

Terry’s numbers won’t raise any eyebrows. But in Denny Crum’s mind, he was one of the most trusted ball-handlers of the 1970s. Coach Crum once benched leading scorer Allen Murphy in the final moments of the 1975 semifinal game in favor of Howard’s controlled confidence with the rock.

98: Kenny Reeves

Kenny is a member of the 1,000 point club and was a starter on Louisville’s 1948 NAIB title team. His #13 jersey is honored (not retired) by the university. He was inducted into the U of L Athletics Hall of Fame in 1982.

97: Larry Williams

One word to describe Larry was consistent. He averaged double figures in all four years at Louisville and shot 49 percent from the field in his college career.

96: Mark McSwain

When the 1986 NCAA championship team needed a boost off the bench, they looked no further than McSwain. Mark was always up for the task. To this day he has the school’s 8th highest field goal percentage for a career (.563).

95: Bobby Brown

With Bobby’s help, the Louisville basketball program rolled into the 1950s. At the time he was considered an extremely agile player. He averaged 17 ppg. as a senior and is a member of the 1,000 point club.

94: Tony Williams

I was able to have eyes on this one in real time. Tony was A LOT stronger and A LOT more imposing than his build and innocent looks led on. He was also a key role player as a freshman in Louisville’s Elite 8 run in 1997.

93: Glenn Combs

Glenn was a member of the 1948 NAIB title team. He appeared in 103 games in his career.  At 5’10”, his versatile transition play blossomed into over 1,000 points in his career, as he was bested by only Jack Coleman in ppg as a senior.

92: Luke Whitehead

The 2003 Conference USA Tournament MVP tallied over 1,000 points and 600 rebounds in his career. Toward the end of his career, each rebound would incite the Freedom Hall crowd into lingering chants of “Luuuuuke”. Whitehead could get downhill very easily. His “power slasher” style was ahead of his time.

91: Jack Coleman

Coleman was a ball hound on the glass. At 6’7” he was a large presence on the floor for his time, especially in the paint. He was Louisville’s first 1,000 point scorer.