UCLA Basketball wall display inside Pauley Pavilion.
Photo Credit: Mike Regalado
Go Joe Bruin presents the UCLA Basketball All-Time team.
There is no other college team that comes close to what UCLA Basketball has accomplished. Aside from having the most NCAA Championships, the Bruins have had a some incredible players grace the halls of Pauley Pavilion.
This list has one of the greatest collections of college basketball players that have an array of success while at UCLA. There are national champions, Pac-10/12 Champions, All-Pac-10/12 selections, national players of the year, record breakers, record holders and even players that were part of some undefeated teams, and those that made the 88-game win streak possible.
Today, Go Joe Bruin assembles the UCLA Basketball All-Time team, consisting of a four-deep roster at all five positions. Now there are some players that did double-duty at different positions over the years, but in order to get a clear perspective on these 20 players, we placed them in a position that best suited them.
It was a tough list to put together, considering the wealth of talent UCLA has had over the years, but we finally cut the list down to 20 of the best position players in UCLA Basketball history. So without further ado, here is the UCLA Basketball All-Time team.
Next: Point Guard #4
Dec 6, 2014; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Darren Collison (7) drives past Orlando Magic guard Elfrid Payton (4) in the fourth quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Magic defeated the Kings 105-96. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Point Guards
4. Darren Collison 2005-09
Possibly one of the most loved Bruins in the last decade, Collison made a name for himself in his junior and senior year as the floor general for the Bruins.
In the one and done era, Collison is one of the few Bruins that stayed all for years. In that time, he was a part of UCLA Basketball’s three straight Final Four runs.
In his junior year, despite being injured for part of the season, Collison led the Bruins to to their third straight Final Four in one of the most successful campaigns of any Bruin basketball team. That season, UCLA had won the Pac-1o regular season championship, captured the Pac-12 Tournament, landed an #1 ranking in the NCAA Tournament and won a record 35-games.
As for Collison himself, he was quite possibly the best on-ball defender in the Ben Howland era. When needed, Collison was able to shut down opponents and was often tabbed to defend the opponent’s best player.
On the offensive side he had great floor vision, had a killer outside shot and was he ever fast. That happens when you are the son of two rack athletes.
Next: Point Guard #3
May 5, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; General view of Pauley Pavilion on the campus of UCLA. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
3. Tyus Edney 1991-95
One of the greatest moments in a UCLA Basketball championship run came in a semifinal game against Missouri in 1995. With 5 seconds left on the clock and down by one, UCLA Basketball’s Edney cut through the Tiger defense like butter with his coast-to-coast floating lay-up that advanced the Bruins to the Championship game.
Edney was a perennial Bruin legend as he helped the UCLA to an incredible 31-2 record that season. Edney had finished the season with 14.2 ppg and an astounding 6.8 assists per game. That season, he was named, along with Ed O’Bannon, the team MVP, the team’s best defensive player and made it to the All-Pac-10 for the third straight year.
Edney had played in both the NBA and Euro leagues for over 15 years. Shortly after that, Edney had rejoined the UCLA Basketball team in 2010 under former coach Ben Howland as the head of Basketball Operations and has remained there even into the Steve Alford era.
Next: Point Guard #2
January 26, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins student section cheers against the California Golden Bears during the first half at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
2. Pooh Richardson 1985-89
One of the best distributors in Bruin history is also the UCLA Basketball All-time leader in assists. Richardson was amazing when he had the ball. He was a great passer, he was fast and had a quick shot that was hard to defend.
Richardson played in the coach Walt Hazzard era at UCLA and made a name for himself early on. In his four years he made the All-Pac-10 team in his final three years. In his final two years he was UCLA Basketball’s Most Valuable Player.
In addition to that, Richarson was a good all-around player as he claimed the best defensive player honors twice in his time in Westwood.
Richardson spent 10 years in the NBA and played with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Indiana Pacers and finished with the Los Angeles Clippers.
Next: Point Guard #1
UCLA Basketball championship banner inside Pauley Pavilion.
Photo Credit: Mike Regalado
1. Gail Goodrich 1962-65
Goodrich is THE BEST point guard in UCLA Basketball history. He had a knack for ball handling and was able to take the Bruins to great heights with the talent around him. As the floor general, Goodrich had complete control of this John Wooden team and helped elevated their status from a good college basketball team to great.
At that time, he left UCLA as their all-time leading scorer, two-time national champion, two-time All-American and Co-Player of the Year in 1965.
In 1963-64, Goodrich helped the Bruins to an impressive 30-0 record that year which culminated with UCLA Basketball’s first ever National Championship, the first of 11. In 1965, they repeated as Champions. In that championship game, Goodrich scored 42 against Michigan.
Goodrich went onto the NBA where he had a fantastic 13-year career which was spent mostly with the Los Angeles Lakers. Goodrich’s UCLA jerseys was retired in 2004.
Next: Shooting Guard #4
Dec 4, 2015; New York, NY; New York Knicks guard Arron Afflalo (4) dribbles the ball as Brooklyn Nets guard Bojan Bogdanovic (44) defends in the first half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: William Hauser-USA TODAY Sports
Shooting Guards
4. Arron Afflalo 2004-07
Afflalo was part of Howland’s first recruiting class and he did not disappoint as one of the best all-around athletes. Afflalo was not only a key contributor to UCLA’s three straight Final Fours as a scoring threat, but he was also, quite possibly the best overall defender in the Howland era.
Afflalo was one of the few players that made defense exciting. Instead of just playing the ball, Afflalo was constantly trying to the ball back and did everything he could to disrupt opposing payers. His suffocating defense helped the Bruins shut down opponents which made him one of the best grind-it-out players in his era.
Afflalo was an NBA first-round selection and went to the Detroit Pistons in 2007. Afflalo currently is in his 8th year in the Association and plays with the New York Knicks.
Next: Shooting Guard #3
Triangle of Success display inside Pauley Pavilion.
Photo Credit: Mike Regalado
2. Mike Warren 1966-68
Mike Warren was one of the best defenders and one of the best players on one of the best college basketball teams of all-time. Keep in mind that this 1968 UCLA Basketball team had Lucious Allen and Lew Alcindor, which by the way, all three were part of the 1st Team All-American selections in 1968.
UCLA already had two championships under their belt when Warren came onto the scene, but was knocked out from a third straight in 1966 after finishing second in the Pac-8 Conference to Oregon State, Warren’s first competitive year.
In the two seasons that followed, he helped UCLA Basketball to a 30-0 and 29-1. The year after the loss to Houston in 1966 championship game, the Bruins once again met up with them, though this time in the national semi-final where UCLA blew them out, 73-58.
Warren helped the Bruins claim UCLA Basketball’s third and fourth championships. Another amazing feat he accomplished is that he never lost a game at Pauley Pavilion.
Warren went on to have a successful acting career after UCLA.
Next: Shooting Guard #2
Apr 28, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; TNT broadcaster Reggie Miller attends game five of the first round of the NBA playoffs between the San Antonio Spurs and the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
2. Reggie Miller 1983-87
Reggie Miller was always a scoring threat, especially from the outside. When he took the leap from UCLA to Indiana in the NBA, he helped turn around a struggling program with his persistence and fluid shot. When Miller had the ball and was setting up to shoot, for most defenders, it was too late, because he was a quick and accurate shooter.
That all started at UCLA where he was one of the most potent shooters in college basketball. Miller had played in a time where the 3-point line was just introduced (1986 season) and it could not have come at a better time because Miller made a big bang. Aside from being a killer outside shooter, he was averaged 50% shooting from beyond the arc.
At the time, when he left UCLA, Miller was the second-best scorer behind all-time great Lew Alcindor. Because of this and his many accomplishments, Miller is one of ten Bruins to have his number retired.
Following UCLA, Miller had spent all 17 years in the NBA with the Indiana Pacers and went to the NBA Finals once. Currently he is an NBA commentator.
Next: Shooting Guard #1
Jan 12, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins championship banners prior to a game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Pauley Pavilion. UCLA defeated Arizona State 87-72. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Fielding-USA TODAY Sports
1. Walt Hazzard 1961-64
Right around the time that Hazzard joined the Bruins, things were looking up for UCLA. Under legendary coach John Wooden, UCLA Basketball had been good, but they were not yet elite. That all changed in the early 60s.
In Hazzard’s first season, the Bruins got to their first ever Final Four. Though the Bruins lost in the Championship Game, things were looking up.
1964 is when it all came together. Whilst averaging a career-high 18.6 ppg in his senior year, the year in which he was also named the college basketball player of the year, he led UCLA to a remarkable 30-0 record on their way to their first National Championship.
After UCLA, Hazzard spent nine years in the NBA where he played with five different teams. He then returned to Westwood where he coached UCLA from 1985-88 where he 56-35.
Hazzard had his #42 jersey retired in 1996, though he gave permission to Kevin Love to use it during the 2007-08 season.
Next: Small Forward #4
Mar 23, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins mascot performs in the second half of a men
Small Forwards
4. Tracy Murray 1989-92
Tracy Murray was a very exciting player and versatile ball handler who always seemed to know where the ball is, or at the very least, he knew where to be to get the ball. Though he was a good overall player, his strength was getting the ball in the hoop.
Tracy Murray was another All-Time Bruin that you could count on for scoring. In his career at UCLA, he averaged 18.3 points per game (adding 6.4 rebounds per game in his career).
His junior year he averaged 21.4 points per game and 7 rebounds per game. In that season, Murray finished with 50% shooting from the 3-point line, hitting 78 of 156 total shots from beyond the arc.
Murray made the All-Pac-12 Conference team twice. Though they never got past the Regional Semi-final in the NCAA Tournament, he did win the 1992 Pac-10 regular season championship.
Murray then played professionally from 1992-2007 in both the NBA and Euro leagues.
Next: Small Forward #3
UCLA logo inside Pauley Pavilion
Photo Credit: Mike Regalado
3. Kiki Vandeweghe 1976-80
German born Vandeweghe was a simple player, but highly effective. Ernest Maurice “Kiki” Vandeweghe III was a big guy that had moves and could do it all. He can get out in transition, pull down rebounds and had a sweet outside jump shot.
Vandeweghe was the unequivocal leader of this Bruin squad that made it back to National Championship Game for the first time since 1975 when UCLA Basketball won their 10th Bational Championship in John Wooden’s final year as coach.
Unfortunately, in 1980, the Bruins with Head Coach Larry Brown, had fallen to Louisville. Also unfortunate for Vandeweghe and his teammates, that season was vacated as Brown was hit for violations due to the ineligibility of a few players.
In that final year, Vandeweghe lead all Bruins in points and rebounds with 19.5 and 6.8, respectively.
Vandeweghe went on to have 15 seasons in the NBA and is currently the Vice-President of Basketball Operations for the Natinal Basketball Association.
Next: Small Forward #2
UCLA Basketball championship banner inside Pauley Pavilion.
Photo Credit: Mike Regalado
2. Keith Wilkes 1971-74
Wilkes, as the saying goes, was “smooth”. Legendary Los Angeles Lakers announcer Chick Hearn had said often called his shot the “20-foot lay-up”. His game was one of the prettiest ever at UCLA. The way he moved in such a fluid motion was like poetry and he did it nigh in and night out.
And what did that get him? Well to start, two National Championships, participation in UCLA’s epic 88-game win streak (what would be the longest win streak in college basketball at that time), twice named an All-American, two-time All-Pac-8 selection and three-time Academic All-American.
In his time at UCLA, he averaged 16.7 ppg, 7.4 rig and had a collegiate career field goal percentage of 51.4%. Now that is smooth.
Wilkes went on to play 10 seasons with the Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers, winning one championship in the bay and three with the Lakers.
In 1975, Wilkes converted to Islam and changed his name to Jamaal Abdul-Lateef, but is better known as Jamaal Wilkes to this day.
Next: Small Forward #1
Triangle of Success display inside Pauley Pavilion.
Photo Credit: Mike Regalado
1. Marques Johnson 1973-77
How fitting is it that the first ever receiving of the John R. Wooden Award winner for the best player in the nation went to a Bruin. A Bruin that had just won a National Championship with his coach whom the prestigious award is named after.
His ability to create his own shot and attack the rim was a cut above the rest. He was fast, explosive, was a defensive menace and one most dominant forwards to ever play for the Bruins.
Johnson was one of the last great players in the John Wooden era. One that lead the Bruins to their tenth and final championship under the legendary coach. As a Bruin, he averaged 14.1 ppg and 7.8 rpg with a total field goal percentage of 56.8%.
Johnson went on to have a 12 year career in the NBA with both the Milwaukee Bucks and the Los Angeles Clippers.
Next: Power Forward #4
Mar 23, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins mascot performs in the second half of a men
Power Forward
4. Ed O’Bannon 1991-95
Ed O’Bannon was a great basketball player on a great team. In three of his four years playing for the Bruins, O’Bannon averaged more than 16 points per game. In those three years, he was a first-team All-Pac-12 selection, with things peaking in his senior season.
O’Bannon had scored 20.4 ppg in the 1994-95 season and had 8.3 rebounds to go with it. His efforts that season landed him as the John R. Wooden Award winner.
In that year, O’Bannon and the Bruins went on to win the Pac-12 Championship and a eventually end up with a 31-2 record which culminated with something that had not been achieved in Westwood in 20 years.
Along with partner in crime Tyus Edney, O’Bannon and the Bruins won UCLA Basketball’s 11th national championship. It was, as they say, a “Return To Glory”.
His #31 was retired in 1996 and is among 10 total that hang in Pauley Pavilion.
Next: Power Forward #3
UCLA Basketball Championship display inside Pauley Pavilion
Photo Credit: Mike Regalado
3. Don Barksdale 1946-47
Similar to what Jackie Robinson did for baseball, Barksdale did for basketball as he helped break the color barrier in another collegiate sport. Because of racial beliefs back in the mid-20th Century, Barksdale was not allowed to play high school ball. That forced him to work on his game at local playgrounds and did he ever develop those skills.
Barksdale was a big man that could run the floor. He had a long reach which made him a fantastic rebounder, he was fast and had a beautiful shot which he could pull off almost anywhere in the floor.
After high school, the 6’6″ center was able to secure a spot at Marin Junior College where he played for two years. His efforts got the attention of the UCLA Basketball program and was able to earn a scholarship in 1945.
At UCLA he dominated his competition as one of the most athletic players on the team. In 1947 he helped lead UCLA to a Pacific Coast Conference Championship. Because of his production that season, Barksdale was the first African American to be named a consensus All-American.
Next: Power Forward #2
Dec 10, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Pac-12 Networks broadcaster and analyst Don MacLean (left) interviews UCLA Bruins guard Norman Powell (4) after the game against the UC Riverside Highlanders at Pauley Pavilion. UCLA defeated UC Riverside 77-66. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
2. Don MacLean 1988-92
UCLA and the Pac-12 Conference’s All-Time leading scorer (2,608 points) should have been nicknamed “Automatic”. That is what he was. Automatic from nearly every spot on the floor and ended his UCLA Basketball career with a field goal percentage of .531. In his final three years, he made the All-Pac-10 team.
MacLean’s attitude and flare drove the Bruins. He had a tough presence under the rim and was force to be reckoned with when he had the ball. If he was not draining mid-range jumpers, he was taking it to the hole with authority.
Though he received several personal accolades, MacLean only won the Pac-12 Conference once, which was during his senior year. That was also the year MacLean had his deepest run in the NCAA Tournament as the Bruins made it to the Elite Eight.
MacLean played in the NBA from 1991-2001 with multiple teams. He is currently a college basketball analyst and a member of the Los Angeles Clippers broadcast team.
Next: Power Forward #1
UCLA Basketball Championship display inside Pauley Pavilion
Photo Credit: Mike Regalado
1. Sidney Wicks 1968-71
What can you say about Sidney Wicks that he already has not said about himself. Wicks was not only one of the most talented Bruin big men of all time, but he was also one of the most, to use a term in the parlance of our times, swaggy players to wear a UCLA jersey.
Wicks was a character to say the least, which kept him bound to the bench in his first year playing with UCLA. John Wooden once told him, “Until you learn it is a team game and not a one-man game [others] will be ahead of you.” Despite winning a championship with the Bruins in 1968, it was not until his next two season that he would make an impact.
In his final two years, he not only led UCLA to their fourth and fifth straight national championships, but he was also a consensus All-American. As as senior, he was the Sporting News Player of the Year as he led the Bruins with 15.8 ppg and an astounding 12.8 rpg.
Wicks went on to be the 2nd overall pick in the 1971 NBA Draft and spent 11 years in the Association.
Next: Center #4
Dec 28, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) warms up before the game between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Detroit Pistons at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Centers
4. Kevin Love 2007-08
The only one-and-done player on this list made a huge impact in his only season with the Bruins. Love was by far the biggest (literally and figuratively) player in the Ben Howland era. After 2 seasons getting to the Final Four, UCLA Basketball was in for some big things with Love taking over the 5-spot.
With Love anchoring down the center spot with a cast of veterans around him, the UCLA Basketball team had a variety of achievements. They won the Pac-12 regular season championship, the Pac-12 Tournament, received a #1 seed in the NCAA Tournament and eventually went 35-4 which is the most wins a UCLA Basketball team has ever recorded in a season.
With 17.5 ppg and 10.6 rpg, Love helped the Bruins to their third straight Final Four. Unfortunately, UCLA was stopped in the national semifinal by Memphis.
Currently, Love is playing in his 7th season in the NBA with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Next: Center #3
UCLA logo inside Pauley Pavilion
Photo Credit: Mike Regalado
3. Willie Naulls 1953-56
Before John Wooden was the “Wizard of Westwood”, he was just another college basketball coach battling for conference championships. On his path to greatness he coached many players, but the first one that was a “superstar” was Willie Naulls.
Naulls stood at 6’6″ and was one of the more athletic players Wooden had coached at the time in his tenure at UCLA. Naulls was long and agile and had a knack for controlling a game.
In his 2nd and 3rd year, Naulls led UCLA to Pacific Coast Conference Championship, with the Bruins making it to the regional semifinal of the NCAA Tournament in 1956. That year, Naulls was also selected as an All-American.
At his graduation, Naulls was the Bruin’s leader in scoring and rebounds. Though those records have been shattered, Naulls still holds the UCLA single game record for rebounds with 28.
Naulls went on to play ten years in the NBA.
Next: Center #2
2. Bill Walton 1971-74
The “Big Red Deadhead” would definitely be #1 if it was not for the current #1 center on this list. If anything, Walton is 1b. Though Walton is quite possibly the second best UCLA Basketball player ever, he also unfortunately gets the #2 spot in this position group.
Walton was one of the most dominant all-around players in the game. He was quick, agile and had a great basketball IQ. For his career, he averaged 20.3 ppg and 15.7 rpg, with a field goal percentage of .651.
Walton was also a part of something that may never be repeated in men’s college basketball, the 88-game win streak. The Bruins were literally unbeatable and did so by annihilating their competition, often by double-digit victories. During that win streak, UCLA won their 8th and 9th national championships. It was just unfortunate that when they finally lost, they also missed out on a chance for UCLA’s 10th title, but that would come later.
Despite not getting that 3rd championship, Walton was named the Naismith College Player of the Year. Walton was indeed one of the greatest to ever play the game and because of it, had his number retired in 1990.
Next: Center #1
Mar 3, 2014; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Mar 3, 2014; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the leading scorer in Milwaukee Bucks and NBA history, waves to fans during game against the Utah Jazz at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
1. Lew Alcindor 1966-69
The G.O.A.T. The man. The Captain (though more known with that moniker from his time with the Los Angeles Lakers), Alcindor is the most dominant player ever to play college basketball. I will even go so far as to say he is the most dominant in the NBA.
UCLA Bruins
Alcindor had a fantastic all-around game. His skill mixed with his size made him nearly unstoppable. His length allowed him to tower over people and either grab rebounds, gracefully put up lay-ups or use his unique hook shot to dominate the rim.
During his time at UCLA, the dunk was disallowed, so he did the next best thing which was essentially drop the ball in the net. Alcindor finished his college career with .639 field goal percentage.
Alcindor, who was later known as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, changed the game of basketball during his time at UCLA. That was evident during his freshmen year (when freshmen were not allowed to play on the varsity team) as he led his fellow first-year players to a victory over the varsity team that had won the National Championship the year before.
When he was finally active, he scored over 24 points per game each year with over 14 rebounds. He was an All-American in those three years and Player of the Year Twice. To top it off, Alcindor won a championship in each of those years, claiming UCLA Basketball’s 3rd, 4th and 5th national titles.
Alcindor, as Abdul-Jabbar, went on to have a Hall of Fame career, spending most of his profession life with the Los Angeles Lakers where he won five NBA titles.
Next: UCLA Basketball All-Time Team Roster and Starting Line-Up
UCLA Basketball wall display inside Pauley Pavilion.
Photo Credit: Mike Regalado
The UCLA Basketball All-Time Team
So there you have it, a four deep roster for every position on the floor. In chart-form, it looks like this.
That would essentially give us a UCLA Basketball All-Time starting line up of:
Walt Hazzard – Gail Goodrich – Marques Johnson
Lew Alcindor – Sidney Wicks
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Now going by this list by position, and considering the talent with this line-up, this is the best starting line-up for the UCLA Basketball All-Time Team. BUT, it is not necessarily the line-up with the All-Time best players in the line-up.
As stated in the Bill Walton slide, Walton is essentially the second best player to ever wear a UCLA Basketball jersey, which means that he needs to be in the All-Time Starting Line-Up. The only trouble here is who do we exclude from the four other players?
Well, Alcindor stays and the back court combo of Goodrich and Hazzard needs to be in the game, which means that we have to choose between Johnson and Wicks.
Well, here is who I would choose:
Walt Hazzard – Gail Goodrich
Bill Walton – Lew Alcindor – Sidney Wicks
And there you have it, Ladies and Gentlemen, the UCLA Basketball All-Time Team and the All-Time Starting Line-Up!
Next: Is This The UCLA Basketball Team We Have Been Waiting For?
Go Bruins!