UConn Men's Basketball Most Impactful Players of All Time: A Case Study

May 05, 2025

This past March, which began as a debate amongst friends at a bar near MSG before the UConn vs Creighton semifinal game in the Big East tournament, turned into a case study of the most impactful UConn players of all time. The word ‘impact’ is defined as having a strong effect or influence on someone or something. Looking at the impact a player can have at their college or university can be determined by not only what they accomplish during their time in the program but what they accomplish afterwards as well. Now, my task was how could get this question out to a larger audience? I began to reach out to family members and friends via text and then folks on X (formerly known as Twitter) who are avid UConn fans. I asked who their top 20 most impactful UConn players are of all time. Initially, I was hoping to get 20-25 people, but as I was waiting for responses, I reached out to more people, mainly on X. Everyone who responded was excited, intrigued, and eager to get me their list. In fact, some created lists of 25, 30, and even 50 players with elaborate detail and insight. After about 30 days, I received 62 responses, including my own. I really enjoyed interacting with so many UConn fans on X and had some great conversations not only about the list but in general. There are so many incredible UConn fans out there who are genuine and just down-to-earth people. The UConn basketball and sports community is truly one of a kind!

Before I share the list, here is a breakdown of the demographics of the 62 people who participated in this case study to provide some context.

THE NUMBERS:

Average Age - 38.85

Males - 55, Females - 7

Youngest - 20 (2), Oldest - 71

Range of Ages: 20-29 (11), 30-39 (23), 40-49 (19), 50-59 (6), 60-69 (2), 70-79 (1)

*42 (68%) of the people's ages were from 30-49

*20 (32%) of the people’s ages were from 20-29 & 50-79

Most Impactful Men’s Basketball Players of All Time

T1. Ray Allen (1993-96), Khalid El-Amin (1997-2000), Richard Hamilton (1996-99) & Kemba Walker (2008-11). They received all 62 votes.

Allen. Arguably, Jim Calhoun’s and UConn’s biggest recruit. Accolades - Big East All Freshman, Big East POY, 2x All Big East, 5th overall pick in the 1996 NBA Draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves but immediately after his selection - he and Andrew Lang were traded to the Milwaukee Bucks for the rights to the fourth pick Stephon Marbury, played 18 seasons in the NBA: 10x All-Star, 2x NBA Champion, All-Rookie Team selection, All-NBA 2nd Team selection, 2000 Olympic gold medalist, inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2018. Ray also starred in the iconic basketball film ‘He Got Game’ as Jesus Shuttlesworth in 1998. Since his playing days at UConn, he’s been a huge supporter of the program and is a member of the Huskies of Honor. Ray was the first player in program history to have his number (34) retired at Gampel.

KHALID EL-AMIN

El-Amin. Accolades - HS Parade All American, Big East All Freshman, Big East Tourney MVP, 3x All Big East, NCAA All Tournament Team, 1999 NCAA Champion and UConn’s first ever, 2nd Round pick in 2000 NBA Draft by the Chicago Bulls, only played 1 season in the league, played professionally overseas from 2002-2015. He was inducted into the Huskies of Honor in 2014. Khalid continues to be one of the most beloved UConn players of all time.

RICHARD HAMILTON

Hamilton. Accolades - HS Parade All American, Big East All Freshman, 2x All Big East, NCAA All Tournament Team, 2x Big East POY, 1999 NCAA Champion, and UConn’s first ever. Only 2x All-American in program history, selected by the Washington Wizards as the 7th overall pick, 14-year NBA career, played for the Washington Wizards, Detroit Pistons, and Chicago Bulls - NBA Champion with the Pistons in 2004 and was a 3x All-Star. ‘Rip’ is another fan favorite and on February 24, 2024 his number (32) was retired at Gampel and is a member of the Huskies of Honor. He is an incredible ambassador of the program.

KEMBA WALKER

Walker. Accolades - HS Parade All American, Big East All Freshman, 2x All Big East, 2x NCAA All-Region, NCAA All Tournament Team, Big East Tournament MVP, NCAA Tournament MOP, 2011 NCAA Champion. Kemba led his team in one of the most incredible runs in March history from the Big East Tournament Championship to the NCAA Championship in 2011, 9th overall pick in 2011 NBA Draft by the Charlotte Bobcats/Hornets, played 12 seasons in the NBA while earning four All-Star selections, an All-NBA Third Team and two NBA Sportsmanship Awards. Kemba hit one of the most iconic game-winning shots in UConn history vs Pittsburgh at the BET in 2011. He is arguably the most legendary player to ever wear a uniform for the Huskies. He is a member of the Huskies of Honor and continues to bleed blue as one of the most loyal alumni.

5. Shabazz Napier (2010-14). Received all but one of the 62 votes. Yes, this is most likely an error on someone's list, and for full transparency, some people did revise their lists after leaving off some more notable players shortly after submitting.

Napier. Accolades - Big East All Freshman, All Big East, All AAC, AAC POY, NCAA All Tournament Team, 2x NCAA Champion, 1st round pick in 2014 NBA Draft as the 24th overall selection by the Charlotte Hornets and immediately traded to the Miami Heat, played 6 seasons in the league, has played overseas since 2021. Bazz was inducted into the Huskies of Honor in 2014. He is another beloved player by the Basketball Capital of the World.

6. Emeka Okafor (2001-04). Received all but two of the 62 votes. Yes, like Shabazz should have received all 62 votes, but regardless, he comes in at number 6.

Okafor. One of the most decorated players of all time. Accolades - Big East All Freshman, 3x All Big East, 2x Big East DPOY, 2004 Big East POY, 2x NCAA All Region, NCAA All Tournament, 2004 NCAA Tourney MOP, Consensus All American, 2004 NCAA Champion, led the nation in blocked shots 2x, 2nd overall pick in 2004 NBA Draft by the Charlotte Bobcats (Hasheem Thabeet is the other UConn player to be drafted this high) and went on to win the NBA ROY, played 10 seasons but was plagued by injuries, most notably a herniated disc in his neck that caused him to miss four consecutive seasons. He was inducted into the Huskies of Honor in 2007. He arguably has been the greatest ambassador of the program and returns to Storrs or other games around the country several times a year.

7. Ben Gordon (2001-04). One of the most skilled players to ever wear the uniform. Received all but three of the 62 votes and another that should have been 100%.

Gordon. Accolades - Big East All Freshman, 2x All Big East, 3x All Big East Tournament Team, Big East Tournament MVP, NCAA All Tournament Team, 2004 NCAA Champion, 3rd overall pick in 2004 NBA Draft to the Chicago Bulls, played 11 years in the league and was named the Sixth Man of the Year in 2005 as a rookie while being named to the All-Rookie First Team. This past February he was inducted into the Huskies of Honor.

8. Donovan Clingan (2022-24). One of the most important recruits of the Dan Hurley era. The native of Bristol, CT was one of the most dominant forces in program history. He garnered all but four of the 62 votes and should be a 100% vote getter.

Clingan. Accolades - Big East All Freshman, 2024 All Big East Tourney. NCAA All-Tournament Team, 2x NCAA Champion, 7th overall pick in 2024 NBA Draft to the Portland Trail Blazers. This Connecticut legend will forever be remembered in his native land and as a Husky. DC’s pride for his state and the University of Connecticut is immense. Expect the big man to be a regular fixture at UConn for a long time.

T9. Tristen Newton (2022-24) & Donyell Marshall (1991-94). As we finish out the top 10 we see a slight drop off in votes as they received 53.

Newton. The transfer from East Carolina came into his own in March of 2023, and the rest is history. Accolades - 2023-2024 All Big East, 2024 All Big East Tournament Team. Big East Tournament MVP, 2x NCAA All-Tournament Team, NCAA Tournament MOP, Consensus All-American, 2x NCAA Champion, 2nd round pick in 2024 NBA Draft by the Indiana Pacers with the 49th pick, he later requested his release and signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves, playing in the G League. He was inducted into the Huskies of Honor immediately after the 2024 National Championship. His legacy of becoming a transfer portal star will live in Husky lore forever.

Marshall. Accolades - Big East All Freshman, 2x All Big East, 93-94 Big East DPOY & POY, All American, 4th overall pick in 1994 NBA Draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves becoming UConn’s first lottery pick in the history of the program, played for 15 season for 8 different teams and was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in 1995. Donyell was one of the program’s major catalysts to their success in the early 1990s. He is the oldest player in the program to be on this top 10 list. His induction into the Huskies of Honor came in 2007. Donyell Marshall’s impact on UConn is undeniable.

11. Chris Smith (1988-1992). Finishing just outside the top 10 and the last remaining player to receive more than 50 votes with 51 is UConn’s All-Time Leading Scorer. Chris was a huge get for Jim Calhoun in his second year coaching at UConn, which would help set the table in recruiting for years to follow. He was a member of the ‘Dream Season’ in 1989-90.

Smith. Accolades - 3x All Big East, Big East Tournament MVP, All Time Leading Scorer with 2,145 points, 2nd Round NBA Draft Pick to the Minnesota Timberwolves with the 34th selection, played 3 seasons in the league, then several years in the CBA and in Europe. Chris was inducted into the Huskies of Honor in 2007. It can not be overstated enough just how important Chris Smith is to the UConn legacy. He bleeds blue to this very day and coaches The Stars of Storrs, which is a UConn alumni team that competes in The Basketball Tournament (TBT).

12. Caron Butler (2000-02). Received 46 votes. Caron only played for 2 seasons as he declared for the draft after his sophomore year which was new territory for UConn fans.

Butler. Accolades - Big East All Freshman, 2001-2002 Big East POY, 2x All Big East, NCAA All Region, 10th overall pick in 2002 NBA Draft by the Miami Heat, 14-year career, and 2x All Star and won an NBA Championship in 2011 with the Dallas Mavericks. Caron was inducted into the Huskies of Honor in 2016. He is one of the most likable players to come through Storrs, and UConn fans will forever be tortured wondering what could have been if he returned for his junior season in 2003.

13. Cliff Robinson (1985-89). Received 45 votes. Uncle Cliff was a mainstay for the Huskies in the mid to late 1980s who helped transition the program into the Calhoun era.

Robinson. Accolades - 2x All Big East, 2nd Round Draft pick of the 1989 NBA Draft by the Portland Trail Blazers, played for 18 years in the NBA, named NBA Sixth Man of the Year in 1992-93, an NBA All-Star in 1994, twice (2000, 2002) named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team, scored 19,951 points, played in 1,380 games, 141 playoff games, 6,306 career rebounds, 3,094 career assists, 1,253 three-pointers, his streak of 461 consecutive games played is still a Portland franchise record. Cliff was inducted into the Huskies of Honor in 2007. Sadly and unexpectedly, he passed away in 2020 at the age of 53. Jim Calhoun said, “He had a lot to do with the great success we've had. I hope everybody realizes the contributions that he and the others from that era made to our program."

14. Rudy Gay (2004-06). Received 42 votes. Another extremely talented and skilled player who held a significant role in UConn’s success during his time

Gay. Accolades - HS Parade All American, 2004-2005 Big East ROY, 2005-2006 All Big East, NCAA All Region, All American, 8th Overall pick in 2006 NBA Draft by the Houston Rockets but was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies days later, named to the 2007 All-Rookie First Team, played 17 seasons in the league, represented the U.S. twice at the FIBA World Cup helping the Americans capture gold in 2010 and 2014. Rudy was inducted into the Huskies of Honor in 2012.

15. Adamo Sanogo (2020-2023). Received 37 votes. The big man from Mali was pivotal in UConn’s National Championship year in 2023.

Sanago. Accolades - Big East All Freshman, 2x All Big East, 2x All Big East Tournament, NCAA All Tournament Team, NCAA Tournament MOP, 2023 NCAA Champion, he was not selected in the 2023 draft but signed a two-way contract with the Chicago Bulls making his NBA debut with them on December 28, 2023 - unfortunately he was waived by the Bulls in February of this year and now is playing for the Windy City Bulls, Chicago's G League affiliate. Adama helped lay the foundation in the Dan Hurley era and led UConn back to national prominence.

T16. Scott Burrell (1989-93) & Hasheem Thabeet (2006-09). Received 30 votes each. Coming in just outside the top 15 is Scott and Hasheem.

Burrell. Accolades - a product of Hamden, CT he became the first athlete to ever be drafted in the 1st round of two professional leagues (MLB, NBA). In 1990, Burrell was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays of the MLB. He played in Minor League Baseball during the 1990 and 1991 seasons. Big East All Freshman, 3x All Big East, member of the ‘Dream Season’, and drafted by the Charlotte Hornets in 1993, later traded to the Golden State Warriors and then the Chicago Bulls, where he won an NBA Championship in 1998 and played 8 total seasons in the league. Scott was featured in the Michael Jordan documentary, “The Last Dance,” in 2020. He was the inbounder of “The Shot” from the 1990 NCAA game vs Clemson. Burrell was inducted into the Huskies of Honor in 2018.

Thabeet. Accolades - Big East All Freshman, 2x Big East DPOY, 2x All Big East. 2008-2009 Big East POY. Consensus All-American, led the NCAA in blocks all 3 years and was the 2nd overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft by the Memphis Grizzlies, which is the highest draft selection by a UConn player, along with Emeka Okafor. He only played 5 years in the NBA and has played overseas since 2017. He currently plays for his homeland of Tanzania. Hasheem was one of the most dominant defensive forces to wear a Husky uniform.

18. Ryan Boatright (2011-15). Received 28 votes. The ‘Boat Show’ was a huge fan favorite who demonstrated tremendous toughness for being undersized.

Boatright. Accolades - 2014-2015 All AAC, NCAA All Tournament Team, 2014 NCAA Champion, undrafted in the 2015 NBA draft but signed with the Brooklyn Nets in July, has played overseas since 2016.

19. Alex Karaban (2022-present). Received 27 votes. AK played a pivotal role in the back-to-back National Championship runs. He is the only active player to receive votes.

Karaban. Accolades - Big East All Freshman, 2024-2025 All Big East, 2x NCAA Champion (2023, 2024). Alex had a down year in 2025 but recently announced his return for his senior season. If AK can add another National Championship to his resume, he would skyrocket in his impact on the program.

20. Andre Jackson Jr. (2020-23). Received 24 votes. ‘Action’ Jackson is one of the most athletic and versatile players in program history.

Jackson. Accolades - 2023 NCAA Champion, 2nd round pick in 2023 NBA Draft to the Milwaukee Bucks, competed in the NBA Slam Dunk Competition this season. Andre is one of Dan Hurley’s most beloved players, who attributes a great deal of UConn’s current success to him.

21. Tate George (1986-90). Received 23 votes. Tate hit one of the most memorable buzzer beaters in UConn history, known as “The Shot,” in the 1990 NCAA Sweet 16 game vs Clemson with one second remaining. He was a member of the ‘Dream Season’ in 1989-90.

George. Accolades - All Big East, 1990 All Big East Tournament Team, 1st Round NBA Draft pick as the 22nd selection by the New Jersey Nets, played 4 seasons in the NBA. “The Shot” by Tate George will be considered one of the most iconic and important plays in UConn program history.

22. Stephon Castle (2023-24). Received 22 votes. Stephon was an impact freshman who helped the program win back-to-back National Championships in 2024.

Castle. Accolades - Big East All Freshman, 2023-2024 Big East ROY, NCAA All Tournament Team, 2024 NCAA Champion, 4th overall pick in 2024 NBA Draft to the San Antonio Spurs, competed in the NBA Slam Competition, and was recently named the NBA ROY. Castle is just getting started, and he looks to be one of the league's next superstars. He is an immense talent with an incredible mentality. Stephon also proved that a college basketball team in this era can win an NCAA Championship with a freshman in the starting lineup.

23. Jeremy Lamb (2010-12). Received 20 votes. Jeremy was a silky smooth player with incredible talent and upside.

Lamb. Accolades - Big East All Freshman, 2011-2012 All Big East, NCAA All Region, NCAA All Tournament Team, 2011 NCAA Champion, 12th overall pick in 2012 NBA Draft by the Oklahoma City Thunder, played 10 seasons and was named to the Futures All-Star team in 2013. Jeremy retired from basketball last year.

24. Jordan Hawkins (2021-23). Received 18 votes. Hawk is a sharpshooter and key member of the 2023 National Championship team.

Hawkins. Accolades - Big East All Freshman, NCAA All Tournament Team, 2022-2023 All Big East, 2023 NCAA Champion, 14th overall pick in 2023 NBA Draft to the New Orleans Pelicans, finishing his second season averaging just under 10 points per game. Look for Jordan’s role to increase in the 2025-26 season.

25. Rashad Anderson (2002-06). Received 16 votes. Rashad finished his career with 276 three-pointers, the most in UConn history.

Anderson. Accolades - HS Parade All American, NCAA All Tournament Team, NCAA Champion 2004, undrafted in the 2006 NBA draft, he joined the Washington Wizards for the 2006 NBA Summer League, played overseas until 2017. Rashad's 3-point shooting ability was one of the most prolific the program has ever seen.

That completes the Top 25 Most Impactful UConn Men’s Basketball Players of All Time. Coming in outside of the top 25 are Ricky Moore, Cam Spencer, Taliek Brown, Nadav Henefeld, and Charlie Villanueva. Each one of these players can make an argument to be in the top 25, as they each had a tremendous impact on the program. The remaining players that received votes all had under 10 votes. In total, 69 players received votes from the 62 people who participated in this case study. Some other notable players that received votes who are considered pioneers of the program include Walt Dropo, Wes Bialosuuknia, Tony Hanson, Earl Kelley, Harrison Fitch, Art Quimby, Tony Kimball, Dom Perno and Corny Thompson. Please take an opportunity to research these players to learn about them and their impact on the UConn Basketball Program. As UConn basketball fans, we have been beyond blessed over the past 35-plus years with this program's illustrious success, and the fact that 69 players received votes speaks to that.

A special thank you to Dan Meehan, who provided an incredible list filled with insight, statistics, and accomplishments of each player. Also, thank you to Chris Smith (not UConn’s Chris Smith) for proofreading this article. Chris is UConn Twitter's Patron Saint of Swag and shares phenomenal videos and content of UConn basketball almost on a daily basis. Lastly, thank you again to everyone who participated in this case study. This project took much longer than I anticipated, but it was well worth the time and energy! Go Huskies!

You can Follow Brian on X @203CardZ