Louisville has fairly the basketball legacy. Legendary coaches “Peck” Hickman, Denny Crum, and, for higher or worse, Rick Pitino. Memorable groups, and naturally a number of the biggest gamers school basketball has ever produced.
This is our tackle the 20 greatest gamers within the historical past of Louisville Cardinals males’s basketball. Listed in chronological order.
1 of 20
Charlie Tyra, Ahead (1954-57)
![Charlie Tyra, Forward (1954-57)](http://res.cloudinary.com/ybmedia/image/upload/c_crop,h_1339,w_2000,x_0,y_0/c_scale,f_auto,q_auto,w_700/v1/m/6/c/6c44a8cb34a2cae70e090f51a6d97d5a610f2fb9/charlie-tyra-forward-1954-57.jpg)
College of Louisville
A Louisville native and metropolis legend, Tyra was this system’s first All-American (1956, ’57) — and first star, for that matter. Tyra continues to be the varsity’s all-time chief with 1,617 rebounds (which additionally ranks among the many high 15 in NCAA historical past), and ranks inside Louisville’s high 10 in profession rebounding common (17.0), made area objectives (640), factors (1,728) and scoring common (18.2). He helped the Cardinals win their first NIT title in 1956, when he averaged college information of 23.8 factors and 22.2 rebounds. Tyra’s No. 8 jersey is one in all 5 retired by the varsity.Â
2 of 20
John Turner, Ahead (1959-61)
![John Turner, Forward (1959-61)](http://res.cloudinary.com/ybmedia/image/upload/c_crop,h_203,w_297,x_0,y_0/c_scale,f_auto,q_auto,w_700/v1/m/9/b/9b9b08fb121025bdb765853a457abc8639644126/john-turner-forward-1959-61.png)
SB Nation/Card Chronicle
A few years after Charlie Tyra’s dominance at Louisville got here to an finish, it was Turner’s alternative to shine. He helped the Cardinals attain their first Remaining 4 in 1958-59, whereas averaging 14.0 factors and 9.7 rebounds. Two seasons later, Turner averaged 23.1 factors, which nonetheless ranks second in class historical past, and 11.4 rebounds. He earned All-American honors for that 1960-61 marketing campaign. Taylor ranks ninth in class historical past with 919 profession rebounds, and scored greater than 1,400 factors at Louisville, the place he additionally sits among the many high 10 at 16.9 factors per sport.Â
3 of 20
Wes Unseld, Middle (1966-68)
![Wes Unseld, Center (1966-68)](http://res.cloudinary.com/ybmedia/image/upload/c_crop,h_500,w_894,x_0,y_0/c_scale,f_auto,q_auto,w_700/v1/m/e/3/e3fa43fae4eb82e70197381cb5f0a52d136b41ab/wes-unseld-center-1966-68.jpg)
WDRB.com
There’s an argument to be made that Unseld is the best basketball participant ever to swimsuit up at Louisville. He joins Charlie Tyra to have his No. 31 retired by the varsity. Unseld, a member of each the School Basketball and Naismith Memorial Basketball Corridor of Fames, is the Cardinals’ all-time common scoring chief at 20.6 factors, and the two-time consensus All-American ranks eleventh with 1,686 factors. His 23.0 factors per sport in 1967-68 is the third-highest in class historical past for a season. The Louisville native’s 18.9 profession rebounds per sport are additionally probably the most for a profession by any Louisville participant, and his 1,551 boards sit second.Â
4 of 20
Butch Beard, Guard (1967-69)
![Butch Beard, Guard (1967-69)](http://res.cloudinary.com/ybmedia/image/upload/c_crop,h_1486,w_2000,x_0,y_0/c_scale,f_auto,q_auto,w_700/v1/m/6/a/6ab20651e3d57df3c5366ee00718de257d9f075d/butch-beard-guard-1967-69.jpg)
Wealthy Clarkson/NCAA Pictures by way of Getty Pictures
A roommate of Wes Unseld at Louisville, Beard scored practically 1,600 profession factors throughout his three seasons with the Cardinals. His 19.0 profession points-per-game common ranks second behind Unseld. Beard’s 27 factors towards Georgetown School are probably the most by any Louisville participant in a profession debut. Beard averaged 20.5 factors in his first collegiate season of 1966-67 and 20.6 two years later in his last marketing campaign for the Cardinals. It was Beard’s 1968-69 season for which he earned All-American honors. As well as, Beard was twice named an All-Missouri Valley Convention performer.Â
5 of 20
Jim Worth, Guard (1970-72)
![Jim Price, Guard (1970-72)](http://res.cloudinary.com/ybmedia/image/upload/c_crop,h_459,w_809,x_0,y_0/c_scale,f_auto,q_auto,w_700/v1/m/2/7/272fa750acb679df4858dee72bba4e0e1545a790/jim-price-guard-1970-72.png)
SB Nation/Card Chronicle
Worth fell simply shy of 1,500 factors for his collegiate profession. Nevertheless, he did common 21.0 factors on 49.5-percent taking pictures throughout the 1971-72 season, whereas serving to the Cardinals attain the Remaining 4 for the second time in class historical past. The Indianapolis product additionally earned All-American honors that season, and his 244 made area objectives from that marketing campaign are the fifth-most by a Cardinal. Worth’s 17.1 profession scoring common additionally ranks sixth at Louisville. As well as. For his profession, Worth shot 46.4 p.c, and likewise recorded 378 assists.
6 of 20
Junior Bridgeman, Ahead (1973-75)
![Junior Bridgeman, Forward (1973-75)](http://res.cloudinary.com/ybmedia/image/upload/c_crop,h_680,w_1200,x_0,y_0/c_scale,f_auto,q_auto,w_700/v1/m/3/a/3acecceef88ec760e8e0fc8191b3111d67269181/junior-bridgeman-forward-1973-75.png)
Sports activities Illustrated
The satisfaction of East Chicago, Ind., Bridgeman loved success at each stage of basketball he performed. At Louisville, Bridgeman averaged 15.5 factors, on a formidable 51.7-percent taking pictures, 7.6 rebounds and a couple of.7 assists for his three seasons. He was named Missouri Valley Convention Participant of the Yr in each 1974 and ’75. The latter whereas serving to Louisville attain the Remaining 4, and earn All-American recognition. Bridgeman went on to get pleasure from a stellar NBA profession, the place he scored greater than 11,000 factors and had his No. 2 retired by the Milwaukee Bucks.
7 of 20
Darrell Griffith, Guard (1977-80)
![Darrell Griffith, Guard (1977-80)](http://res.cloudinary.com/ybmedia/image/upload/c_crop,h_1220,w_2000,x_0,y_0/c_scale,f_auto,q_auto,w_700/v1/m/7/9/79333cc35b18d9d6bb346f8cc3dd06352ca3e5dc/darrell-griffith-guard-1977-80.jpg)
Wealthy Clarkson/NCAA Pictures by way of Getty Pictures
We famous Wes Unseld’s argument for the best participant in Louisville basketball historical past, however the conventional consensus appears to level at Griffith. And, why not? One other native Louisville product, not solely is Griffith the varsity’s all-time main scorer with 2,333 factors, he is beloved in these elements for main the Cardinals to their first nationwide championship in 1979-80. The Wood Participant of the Yr Award winner that season, Griffith averaged 22.9 factors on 55.3-percent taking pictures, plus 4.8 rebounds and three.8 assists because the Cardinals completed 33-3. His 825 factors from that season are nonetheless probably the most in class historical past, as are his 981 profession made area objectives. Griffith’s No. 35 was retired by this system.
8 of 20
Derek Smith, Guard-Ahead (1979-82)
![Derek Smith, Guard-Forward (1979-82)](http://res.cloudinary.com/ybmedia/image/upload/c_crop,h_356,w_515,x_0,y_0/c_scale,f_auto,q_auto,w_700/v1/m/a/3/a3aea1b7ef5205cbfd66ee72567bec9f62a80d0f/derek-smith-guard-forward-1979-82.png)
Fb
One other member of the Cardinals’ 1980 nationwide title group. That was a breakout sophomore season for Smith, who averaged 14.8 factors, and shot 57.3 p.c, whereas additionally flattening 8.3 rebounds in 1979-80. Nevertheless, Smith’s complete collegiate profession is value celebrating. He ranks seventh in class historical past for factors (1,826) and tenth in rebounding (884). He was the Metro Convention Participant of the Yr in 1980-81, whereas averaging 15.5 factors, 7.8 boards and a couple of.5 assists. Smith performed 131 video games throughout his 4 seasons at Louisville.
9 of 20
Rodney McCray, Ahead (1980-83)
![Rodney McCray, Forward (1980-83)](http://res.cloudinary.com/ybmedia/image/upload/c_crop,h_1204,w_2000,x_0,y_0/c_scale,f_auto,q_auto,w_700/v1/m/7/4/74407e99cede60960b5f4c0257c46ec33688d7bf/rodney-mccray-forward-1980-83.jpg)
Wealthy Clarkson/NCAA Pictures by way of Getty Pictures
McCray is one in all 4 Louisville basketball gamers to document greater than 1,000 factors (1,247) and 1,000 rebounds (1,029). He was a freshman starter on the Cardinals’ 1980 nationwide championship squad, averaging a modest 7.8 factors — however taking pictures 54.3 p.c — and seven.5 boards and a couple of.0 assists. Actually, McCray did not common double-digit factors for his profession, however put in 11 per sport whereas flattening 8.4 rebounds and doling out 3.4 assists as a senior in 1982-83, when he was named Metro Convention Participant of the Yr. McCray began 132 consecutive school video games and likewise helped Louisville attain the Remaining 4 in 1982 and ’83.
10 of 20
Milt Wagner, Guard (1982-86)
![Milt Wagner, Guard (1982-86)](http://res.cloudinary.com/ybmedia/image/upload/c_crop,h_1392,w_2000,x_0,y_0/c_scale,f_auto,q_auto,w_700/v1/m/d/9/d918c8681d4db0f867529c17ed7b1016d25088df/milt-wagner-guard-1982-86.jpg)
Wealthy Clarkson/NCAA Pictures by way of Getty Pictures
If it appeared like Wagner performed without end at Louisville, it solely felt that method. Wagner did spend 5 seasons with the Cardinals, although his preliminary senior season of 1984-85 was restricted to only two video games because of a damaged foot. One of many nice scorers in Louisville historical past, Wagner ranks sixth in program historical past with 1,836 factors. He shot precisely 50 p.c for his profession, which featured 144 video games (second-most amongst all Cardinals). Getting back from harm, Wagner averaged 14.8 factors and 4.2 assists throughout Louisville’s run to the 1986 nationwide championship. For his profession, the two-time All-Metro Convention first-team choice ranks ninth in class historical past for assists (432) and eighth in free-throw proportion (81.4).
11 of 20
Billy Thompson, Ahead (1983-86)
![Billy Thompson, Forward (1983-86)](http://res.cloudinary.com/ybmedia/image/upload/c_crop,h_1272,w_2000,x_0,y_0/c_scale,f_auto,q_auto,w_700/v1/m/e/b/eb14de501ebb819f5f6fe4ed517d7d29a96f1527/billy-thompson-forward-1983-86.jpg)
Wealthy Clarkson/NCAA Pictures by way of Getty Pictures
We proceed the string of standouts from the Cardinals’ 1986 nationwide title squad. Actually, Thompson led that staff at 14.9 factors per sport, one season after he averaged profession highs for factors (15.1), rebounds (8.4) and assists (4.2). Coming into the 2022-23 season, Thompson is the one Louisville participant to rank among the many high 11 in profession scoring (1,685 factors), rebounding (928) and assists (459). He is additionally fifth amongst all Cardinals with 185 blocks. The 2-time, first-team All-Metro Convention choose shot 52.8 p.c for his collegiate profession, which spanned 143 video games over 4 seasons.
12 of 20
Herbert Criminal, Guard-Ahead (1985-88)
![Herbert Crook, Guard-Forward (1985-88)](http://res.cloudinary.com/ybmedia/image/upload/c_crop,h_1664,w_2000,x_0,y_0/c_scale,f_auto,q_auto,w_700/v1/m/a/e/aeecfd1fcb2d41505527ad29cebc49aae492f28f/herbert-crook-guard-forward-1985-88.jpg)
Wealthy Clarkson/NCAA Pictures by way of Getty Pictures
Out of Jap Excessive College in Louisville, Criminal may be probably the most underrated star in Cardinals’ historical past. He posted 10 factors, 12 rebounds and 5 assists throughout Louisville’s 72-69 victory over Duke within the ’86 title sport as a sophomore. Then he solely obtained higher from there, averaging 15.5 factors and a career-high 8.0 rebounds the subsequent season, when he was named Metro Convention Participant of the Yr. He then set a private greatest with a 16.1-points common as a senior in 1987-88. Criminal ranks tenth in class historical past for factors (1,723), seventh in made area objectives (656) and eleventh in rebounds (877).
13 of 20
Pervis Ellison, Middle (1986-89)
![Pervis Ellison, Center (1986-89)](http://res.cloudinary.com/ybmedia/image/upload/c_crop,h_1115,w_2000,x_0,y_0/c_scale,f_auto,q_auto,w_700/v1/m/e/0/e0fbc619bda92d8a5626c4553b0735f81490f9dd/pervis-ellison-center-1986-89.jpg)
Wealthy Clarkson/NCAA Pictures by way of Getty Pictures
Proper up there with Wes Unseld and Darrell Griffith when discussing the best of all time to play basketball at Louisville. From the get-go, the 6-foot-9 Ellison was destined to be a collegiate star. He proved that by totaling 25 factors, 11 rebounds and two blocks throughout Louisville’s upset win over Duke within the ’86 last — and incomes Most Excellent Participant honors within the course of. To today, Ellison is the one participant in Cardinals historical past to submit a minimum of 2,000 factors (third with 2,143) and 1,000 rebounds (third with 1,149) — whereas beginning 135 of 136 video games. He is additionally the varsity’s all-time chief with 374 blocked pictures. A 3-time, first-team All-Metro Convention performer, the league’s co-player of the 12 months in 1988 and a consensus first-team All-American in ’89, Ellison’s No. 42 was retired by the varsity.
14 of 20
LaBradford Smith, Guard (1988-91)
![LaBradford Smith, Guard (1988-91)](http://res.cloudinary.com/ybmedia/image/upload/c_crop,h_636,w_1200,x_0,y_0/c_scale,f_auto,q_auto,w_700/v1/m/f/8/f8aed0bf9b2d14da201797825ff9f42f793a7886/labradford-smith-guard-1988-91.jpg)
247 Sports activities
One of the thrilling gamers in Louisville historical past, Smith began all 133 video games over 4 years performed in school. The college’s all-time assists chief (713), Smith by no means averaged fewer than 11.9 factors in any of these seasons, shot 48.1 p.c for his profession and people 1,806 factors rank eighth all time. Smith’s 491 made free throws are probably the most amongst all Cardinals, and his 86.6-percent taking pictures from the stripe sits second in class historical past. An All-Metro Convention first-team choice in 1990, Smith additionally ranks fourth with 227 profession steals.
15 of 20
Clifford Rozier, Middle (1993-94)
![Clifford Rozier, Center (1993-94)](http://res.cloudinary.com/ybmedia/image/upload/c_crop,h_1377,w_2000,x_0,y_0/c_scale,f_auto,q_auto,w_700/v1/m/3/8/3823e2eb321d5024dbde09e375e1b2479c246eea/clifford-rozier-center-1991-94.jpg)
Bernstein Associates/Getty Pictures
Rozier’s collegiate profession at Louisville lasted simply two seasons after he transferred from North Carolina. A robust power, Rozier averaged 15.7 factors and 10.9 rebounds in his first season with the Cardinals in 1992-93, and 18.1 and 11.1 boards throughout that last marketing campaign (when he was a consensus All-American choice), incomes him Metro Convention Participant of the Yr in each 1993 and ’94. Rozier’s 17.0 points-per-game common ranks seventh in class historical past, whereas his 11.0 boards per contest for a profession is sixth all time by any Cardinals participant.Â
16 of 20
DeJuan Wheat, Guard (1994-97)
![DeJuan Wheat, Guard (1994-97)](http://res.cloudinary.com/ybmedia/image/upload/c_crop,h_882,w_1439,x_0,y_0/c_scale,f_auto,q_auto,w_700/v1/m/e/f/ef3f541111fda73376116fb6b281661d09a3ec05/dejuan-wheat-guard-1994-97.jpg)
Stephen Dunn/Employees/Getty Pictures
A pure scorer, Wheat ranks second on Louisville’s all-time factors checklist with 2,183, becoming a member of Darrell Griffith and Pervis Ellison as the one Cardinals to succeed in 2,000. That stated, there was a lot extra to Wheat’s general sport. He ranks second in class historical past with 323 made 3-pointers, is fifth with 498 assists and eighth in steals at 204, thus making the two-time, first-team All-Convention USA choose the primary participant in NCAA historical past to document a minimum of 2,000 factors, 450 assists, 300 made 3s and 200 steals. Wheat’s 136 profession begins and 4,560 minutes are additionally probably the most of any Louisville participant.Â
17 of 20
Reece Gaines, Guard (2000-03)
![Reece Gaines, Guard (2000-03)](http://res.cloudinary.com/ybmedia/image/upload/c_crop,h_1138,w_2000,x_0,y_0/c_scale,f_auto,q_auto,w_700/v1/m/6/4/64e40ded15fbad204a1bf2e93fca4ff2f9f24311/reece-gaines-guard-2000-03.jpg)
Dilip Vishwanat/TSN/Icon Sportswire
It is simple for Gaines to get misplaced amid all the person greatness that is come out of Louisville by the many years. He is one of many program’s all-time nice shooters, rating fourth in profession factors with 1,945, and among the many high 15 averaging 15.6 per contest. A forty five.2-percent shooter throughout a four-year profession during which he began 123 of 125 video games, the two-time, All-Convention USA first-teamer is third on Louisville’s made 3-point field-goal’s checklist (225) and eleventh whereas taking pictures 38.3 p.c from distance for his profession. Gaines additionally ranks seventh in profession assists (475) and tenth in steals (192).
18 of 20
Terrence Williams, Ahead (2006-09)
![Terrence Williams, Forward (2006-09)](http://res.cloudinary.com/ybmedia/image/upload/c_crop,h_1331,w_2000,x_0,y_0/c_scale,f_auto,q_auto,w_700/v1/m/7/e/7e425eea780837f9142d0f79958ab615020a81f1/terrence-williams-forward-2006-09.jpg)
Wealthy Kane/Icon Sportswire
Maybe the most effective pure athlete on this checklist. Williams did a bit little bit of every thing throughout his stellar four-year Louisville profession. He is among the many college’s top-20 scorers with 1,565 factors, and sits inside the Cardinals’ high 10 in rebounds (970), assists (546) and steals (210). Williams additionally recorded 90 blocks throughout his profession, which included some All-American recognition throughout his senior season of 2008-09. That is when he posted profession bests for common factors (12.5), rebounds (8.6), assists (5.0) and steals (2.3).
19 of 20
Peyton Siva, Guard (2012-13)
![Peyton Siva, Guard (2012-13)](http://res.cloudinary.com/ybmedia/image/upload/c_crop,h_1400,w_2000,x_0,y_0/c_scale,f_auto,q_auto,w_700/v1/m/c/c/ccb3125931e6f6ae9722f2b76c205ea35b799dee/peyton-siva-guard-2012-23.jpg)
Jim Owens/Icon Sportswire
Although the notorious escort intercourse scandal compelled the varsity to vacate its victories from 2011-‘4, which included the 2012 journey to the Remaining 4 and the 2013 nationwide championship, Siva’s influence on the courtroom stays a significant a part of program’s legacy. Solely as soon as did Siva common double-digit scoring for a season, however he was an undisputed chief, who performed 144 video games in 4 school seasons, and did escape with 18 factors, six rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals throughout the Cardinals’ national-title win over Michigan. His 677 assists and 254 steals are each the second-most for a profession at Louisville, the place he was twice named Large East match MVP.Â
20 of 20
Russ Smith, Guard (2011-14)
![Russ Smith, Guard (2011-14)](http://res.cloudinary.com/ybmedia/image/upload/c_crop,h_1333,w_2000,x_0,y_0/c_scale,f_auto,q_auto,w_700/v1/m/e/8/e82de2ac36c2eb450e5dba6b4400ef2c21503c1f/russ-smith-guard-2011-14.jpg)
Matthew Visinsky/Icon Sportswire
As a freshman, Smith performed simply 17 video games because of numerous accidents. By the point his Louisville profession ended, nonetheless, Smith was among the many college’s basketball legends. He ranks fifth in class historical past with 1,908 factors, second with 488 career-made free throws and his 180 made 3-pointers are tied for tenth amongst all Cardinals. Smith, the varsity’s all-time steals chief with 257, was a key a part of these Remaining 4 groups in 2012 and ’13, and a consensus first-team All-American in 2013-14. Smith’s No. 2 was retired by the varsity.Â
A Chicago native, Jeff Mezydlo has professionally written about sports activities, leisure and popular culture for elements of 4 many years. He was an integral member of award-winning sports activities sections at The Occasions of Northwest Indiana (Munster, Ind.) and Champaign (In poor health.) Information-Gazette, the place he lined the NFL, PGA, LPGA, NCAA basketball, soccer and golf, Olympics and highschool athletics. Jeff most lately spent 12 years within the editorial division at STATSPerform, the place he additionally oversaw protection of the English Premier League. A graduate of Northern Illinois College, Jeff’s work has additionally appeared on such websites at Yahoo!, ESPN, Fox Sports activities, Sports activities Illustrated and NBA.com. Nevertheless, if Jeff might do it once more, he’d attend Degrassi Junior Excessive, Ampipe Excessive College and Grand Lakes College