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)
9 of 13
louisville basketball, uofl basketball, top players of all time
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 17: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Louisville Cardinals shoots the ball against the Jacksonville State Gamecocks during the first round of the NCAA Baketball Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 17, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

30: Marques Maybin

#5 could flat out fly. The second coming and 1990’s version of Dr. Dunkenstein is 7th all-time in career dunks and 14th all-time on the career scoring list. Maybin on a fast break was must-see television.

29: Gorgui Dieng

Gorgui is the single-season leader in blocked shots (128) and fourth in career blocks. He was a member of the charging 2012 Final Four team and a key piece to the 2013 title team.

28: Scooter McCray

Scooter was fundamentally sound. He played on the 1980 title team and two Final Four teams while averaging 7.6 ppg., 5.5 rpg., 2.7 apg., 1.3 bpg., and 1.0 spg. in his career. He is tied for 6th all-time in career blocked shots.

27: Felton Spencer

Felton is the school’s all-time career field goal percentage leader. He ranks #7 in career dunks and 9th in blocks in a season (69). He was undoubtedly one of the most intimidating post players we’ve ever had and had himself a successful NBA career.

26: Lancaster Gordon

Gordon played on 2 Final Four teams (’82 and ’83) and ranks 8th all-time in steals. He started 134 games and shot over 50% from the field in his career. He averaged 12 ppg. in his college days.

25: Donovan Mitchell

Mitchell had possibly the highest ceiling of any Cardinal in Louisville history. With unfathomable athletic ability, he put on a two-year highlight reel here. He averaged 15.6 ppg. in his sophomore season, leading Louisville to the NCAA Tournament. Donnie’s NBA career has been nothing short of stellar thus far.

24: Taqwa Pinero (Taquan Dean)

The school’s all-time leader in three-point field goals was a senior on the 2005 Final Four squad. Taqwa ranks 13th all-time in scoring, and was practically automatic in his time as a Card, shooting 40% from three (3rd all-time).

23: Bud Olsen

Olsen led the 1961-62 Cardinals in rebounds per game (13.2). At 6’8″, he was a looming presence in the paint. In that senior season, he also averaged 20.8 ppg. His career averages were 14.9 ppg. and 9.5 rpg.

22: Fred Sawyer

Sawyer averaged over 11 rebounds in a season twice in his college career. He ranks 4th all-time in career rebounds and was a member of the 1959 Final Four team. No one could match up well on the block with Fred.

21: Peyton Siva

Part of the phenom 1-2 punch on the 2013 NCAA Championship team, Siva could slice to the bucket seemingly without effort. He ranks in the top ten all-time in career assists. He was the 2012 and 2013 Big East Tournament MVP.