24. Arron Afflalo, G (2004-07)
Why Afflalo is on this list…
If Ben Howland needed someone to completely shut down the opponent’s best player, there was no other choice than Arron Afflalo. Part of Howland’s first recruiting class (along with Jordan Farmar, Josh Shipp, and Lorenzo Mata), Afflalo was the prototypical Howland defensive player.
He could score when needed, but his best quality was his defense. Though defense is not exactly exciting, Afflalo made it so that he would suffocate ball handlers and take them out of their rhythm. Not only that, but he was a fiery player that would get the crowds going.
Afflalo helped the Bruins to two of three consecutive Final Fours, the first time that has happened for a UCLA basketball team since John Wooden did it from 1973-75.
UCLA Career Stats
- FG%: .457
- 3FG%: .373
- FT%: .781
- Rebs/gm: 3.5
- Total Rebs: 360
- Pts/gm: 14.8
- Total Pts: 1540
Key Accomplishments
- Pac-10 Champs: 2006, 2007
- All-American: 2007
- Pac-10 POY: 2007
- All-Pac-10: 2006, 2007
Though he never won an NCAA Championship, he left a defensive legacy. His talents eventually got him to the NBA where he has played since he was drafted in 2007.