Wednesday, March 11, 2009

All-time starting five: Charlotte

The O List's its all-time starting five for Charlotte basketball:

Cedric Maxwell (1973-77): Was named the Mideast Regional most valuable player during the 49ers' 1977 Final Four run. Charlotte was 58-0 in home games during his career, during which he amassed 1,824 points, 1,117 rebounds and 94 blocks. Maxwell (above) played 11 seasons in the NBA, getting drafted by the Boston Celtics.

Eddie Basden (2001-05): During his career with the 49ers he was named Conference USA Player of the Year in 2005, and the league's defensive player of the year in 2004 and 2005. In his senior season, several national college basketball analysts tapped Basden (above) as the national defensive player of the year.

DeMarco Johnson (1994-98): The 1998 C-USA Player of the Year played on three NCAA Tournament teams, helping two (1997 and 1998) advance to the second round. One of just four players in school history to surpass 2,000 career points. He averaged 16.8 points and 7.8 rebounds during his career.

Byron Dinkins (1985-89): The former East Mecklenburg High star was the first recruit of the Jeff Mullins era. In 1988 he led the 49ers to their first Sun Belt regular season and tournament championships and the school's first NCAA bid since the 1977 Final Four.

Henry Williams (1988-92): One of the best 3-point shooters in Charlotte history, he is the school's all-time leading scorer with 2,383 points, including 308 long-range shots. Williams (left) produced a record 65 games of at least 20 points. In 1992, he led Charlotte to the Metro Conference tournament championship and trip to the NCAA Tournament.

--Jim Utter

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Think the O List is crazy for leaving someone out? Tell us who you'd add, and, just to make it interesting, who you would replace from our list. Put your thoughts in the comments section below.

16 comments:

JAT said...

Ahem. No Chad Kinch?

Are you sure you are talking about UNCC? Dude made the 30-yr. All-Sun Belt team.

Anonymous said...

Nice list but what about Jarvis Lang

Anonymous said...

Ahhhh Come on! No Jobey Thomas? No Diego Guevara? Two of the best pure shooters Charlotte, or Conference USA/A-10 have ever seen! Your list is blasphemy without including at least one of them!

Anonymous said...

Jobey Thomas and Diego are closer to guys like Delaney Johnson and Rod Howard, good guys but not all time top 5

Anonymous said...

No Lew Massey? Blasphemy!!

Anonymous said...

no sweet lou massey? wow! uncc has been to the final four one time and maxwell is only one from the '77 team?

Anonymous said...

Rodney White. Better than 4 of the five.

Anonymous said...

The only one I might quibble with is DeMarco; I might put Lew Massey ahead of him. Jobey and Diego were fantastic shooters, but I agree with the Dinkins-Williams backcourt here. Jarvis Lang and Rodney White were power forwards. You really want to argue either of them over Cornbread? I hope you aren't that crazy.

Some other "honorable mention" guys - Jeff West (what a sweet shot he had!), Galen Young (second-best defender in school history behind Basden), James Terrell (another lights-out shooter).

It's too bad Charles Hayward's life was cut so short. He was going to be better than probably everyone in school history other than Maxwell.

Anonymous said...

The list looks pretty spot on to me. I loved Diego and Jobey, but no way they belong on this list. As for the comment about Rodney White; yes, he probably had more talent than some of the guys on the list, but that didn't translate into production or wins. Maybe if he'd stayed a little longer he'd have had the impact of a DeMarco or such, but he wasn't much of a team player and he didn't elevate those around him.

One name who doesn't belong on the list but deserves kudos - Galen Young. A true leader who took an average team further than they should have gone.

Anonymous said...

You forgot Chad Kinch and the ever popular Donnie Koonce.

Anonymous said...

Maxwell is a JOKE! This guy does not associate with the school.

Jon said...

I would also take Maxwell off because he does not consider himself a Niner. I think Jobey should be on the list. After next year, he he can lead us somewhere, I think Dijuan Harris may deserve a nod. Plus, he is a local kid!

Anonymous said...

LEEMIRE GOLDWIRE

Anonymous said...

I can't argue the 5 listed - solid choices. Brendan Plavich is deserving of honorable mention also, but is not top 5.

Anonymous said...

How about George "Action" Jackson and Jon Heath. Chad Kinch stuffing Michigan earns him a spot in my book.

Anonymous said...

Gaylon Young and Joby Thomas were beast!!