Ranking the 10 Greatest Players in Purdue Men’s Basketball History
As a Big Ten perennial powerhouse, the Purdue Boilermakers have a rich history of producing some of the best basketball players in college hoops. From Final Fours to All-Americans, Purdue’s top-flight players find themselves among the elite in college basketball history.
In this article, we will rank the 10 greatest players in Purdue Men’s Basketball history.
1) Joe Barry Carroll
Joe Barry Carroll is widely regarded as one of the most complete players in Purdue history. Standing tall at 7-feet, Carroll was a dominant force on both ends of the court.
He was a prolific scorer and rebounder, averaging 17.4 points and 9.8 rebounds per game during his time at Purdue. His shot-blocking ability was also remarkable, racking up over 400 blocks in his four seasons with the Boilermakers.
Carroll led Purdue to the Final Four in 1980 and was named a Consensus First-Team All-American the same year. His incredible performance landed him a spot on the U.S. Men’s Olympic basketball team in 1980.
2) E’Twaun Moore
E’Twaun Moore is one of the most decorated players to ever wear a Purdue jersey. During his four-year career, he amassed 2,136 points, ranking second all-time in Purdue history.
Moore was also known for his defense, averaging 1.4 steals per game. Moore led the Boilermakers to the Sweet 16 in 2009 and was named First-Team All-Big Ten twice.
He played in the NBA for nine seasons and won an NBA Championship with the Boston Celtics in 2016.
3) Rick Mount
Rick Mount is a Purdue legend. Despite playing before the advent of the three-point line, Mount was a prolific scorer and held the title of Purdue’s all-time leading scorer for over three decades.
He finished his career with an eye-popping 2,323 points, averaging over 32 points per game in his senior year. Mount led the Boilermakers to the National Championship game in 1969 but fell short to UCLA.
He was named a Consensus First-Team All-American the same year.
4) Carsen Edwards
Carsen Edwards took the college basketball world by storm during his junior season at Purdue. He was one of the best scorers in the nation, averaging 24.3 points per game and setting a Purdue single-season record of 139 made three-pointers.
Edwards led the Boilermakers to the Elite Eight in 2019 and was named a Consensus First-Team All-American and the Big Ten Player of the Year.
5) Robbie Hummel
Robbie Hummel was a versatile forward who could score from anywhere on the court. His ability to stretch the floor with his three-point shooting was a nightmare for opposing defenses.
Hummel finished his career with 1,772 points, 862 rebounds, and 224 made three-pointers. Hummel was named First-Team All-Big Ten twice and was one of the key players on Purdue’s 2010 Team that made a run to the Sweet 16.
6) JaJuan Johnson
JaJuan Johnson was one of the most athletic big men in Purdue history. He was a prolific scorer and rebounder, averaging 14.8 points and 7.1 rebounds per game during his time at Purdue.
Johnson was also a force on defense, blocking 263 shots in four seasons. Johnson was named the Big Ten Player of the Year in 2011 and led the Boilermakers to the Sweet 16 the same year.
7) A.J. Hammons
A.J. Hammons was a dominant force in the paint during his time at Purdue. At 7-feet, 280 pounds, he had the size and strength to overpower opposing big men.
Hammons finished his career with over 1,400 points, 800 rebounds, and 342 blocks. Hammons was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year twice and led the conference in blocks in three consecutive seasons.
8) Dave Schellhase
Dave Schellhase is Purdue’s all-time leading scorer with 2,074 points. He was a prolific scorer and one of the best free-throw shooters of his time.
Schellhase had a remarkable career, averaging 32.3 points per game in his senior season. Schellhase led Purdue to the NCAA Tournament in 1967 and was named a Consensus First-Team All-American the same year.
9) Trevion Williams
Trevion Williams is a rising star in college basketball. He is one of the best rebounders in the country, averaging 9.1 rebounds per game during his junior season.
Williams also has a mid-range game, making him a tough matchup for opposing big men. Williams led Purdue to the NCAA Tournament in 2019 and 2021 and was named All-Big Ten Third Team last season.
10) Glenn Robinson
Glenn Robinson was one of the best players in Purdue history. He was a dominant scorer, averaging 30.3 points per game in his junior season.
Robinson was a beast on the boards, grabbing 10.1 rebounds per game. Robinson led Purdue to the Elite Eight in 1994 and was named a Consensus First-Team All-American and the National Player of the Year.
Conclusion
Purdue Men’s Basketball has a storied history, filled with some of the best players to ever play the game. From Joe Barry Carroll to Robbie Hummel to Carsen Edwards, these players left their mark on Purdue and college basketball history.
As the Boilermakers look to the future, they will undoubtedly continue to produce some of the best talent in the game. 3) E’Twaun Moore
E’Twaun Moore is one of the most accomplished players in Purdue basketball history.
During his four-year career at Purdue, Moore was a reliable scoring option and an outstanding defensive player. Let’s take a closer look at the accomplishments of this Purdue great and his potential.
Moore’s Accomplishments
Moore played in a remarkable 140 games for Purdue, starting in 134 of those games. He tallied 2,136 points during his career, ranking second all-time in Purdue scoring history.
Moore was also a solid ball-handler and distributor, averaging 2.6 assists per game. Defensively, Moore was a force to be reckoned with.
He accumulated 184 steals over his four-year career, ranking him second all-time in Purdue history. His defensive skills led to him being named to the Big Ten All-Defensive Team twice.
In addition to his defensive skills, Moore was a reliable workhorse for the Boilermakers. He logged over 4,500 minutes during his four-year career, an average of 32.3 minutes per game.
Moore’s accomplishments did not go unnoticed as he was named First-Team All-Big Ten twice and received Third-Team All-American honors his senior year.
What Could Have Been
While Moore had a remarkable college career, his NBA career was underwhelming at times. He was drafted by the Boston Celtics in the second round of the 2011 NBA draft and played in the NBA for nine seasons with various teams.
Despite being an excellent college player, Moore struggled to find his place in the NBA. He never developed into a consistent scorer or a reliable starter, instead, he spent the majority of his career coming off the bench.
Moore’s lack of success in the NBA left many wondering what could have been if he had stayed at Purdue for another year. If he had chosen to return for his senior season, he could have boosted his draft stock and have had a chance to compete for All-American honors again.
Not only are NBA analysts left wondering what could have been, but Purdue fans also reflect on the potential they saw in Moore during his time in West Lafayette. Moore only led the Boilermakers to the Sweet 16 once during his college career, falling short of expectations in some people’s eyes.
However, there is no doubt that Moore will go down in Purdue history as one of the greatest players to ever wear the Black and Gold.
4) Rick Mount
Rick Mount is one of the most iconic players in Purdue basketball history. His scoring prowess was legendary, and he set numerous records during his time with the Boilermakers.
However, his career was cut short by the NCAA’s freshmen eligibility rule. Mount’s Accomplishments
Rick Mount’s scoring ability was among the best in college basketball history.
He was a natural shooter, with range extending well beyond the three-point line. He scored an incredible 2,323 career points at Purdue, surpassing the previous record of 1,960 points by almost 400 points.
Mount’s scoring ability was on full display during his senior season when he averaged 32.3 points per game. His outside shooting was deadly, and he finished his career with an impressive 45.9% field-goal percentage and 86.5% free-throw shooting percentage.
Despite playing before the advent of the three-point line, Mount was a consistent threat from beyond the arc. He shot an astonishing 42.8% from three-point range during his college career.
Mount’s scoring was not limited to the regular season either. He poured in 45 points in Purdue’s National Championship game loss to UCLA in 1969.
Shortened Career
While Mount’s time at Purdue was filled with accomplishments and records, his career was cut short due to the NCAA’s freshmen eligibility rule. The rule prevented freshmen from playing on the varsity level, meaning they could not play for Purdue’s varsity team until their sophomore year.
Mount was a highly sought-after recruit and had the potential to be a four-year superstar at Purdue. He played as a freshman for the freshman team and scored a remarkable 504 points, averaging 35.7 points per game.
While NCAA rules may have shortened his college career, Mount went on to have a successful professional career. He was selected by the Indiana Pacers in the first round of the 1970 NBA Draft and played in the league for five seasons.
Conclusion
Rick Mount and E’Twaun Moore are two of the greatest players to ever step on the court for Purdue basketball. Mount’s scoring ability and shooting range were ahead of his time, while Moore’s defensive skills and work ethic set him apart during his tenure at Purdue.
Both players left their mark on the program and will be remembered by Boilermaker fans for years to come.
5) Carsen Edwards
Carsen Edwards is widely regarded as one of the best scorers in Purdue basketball history. His incredible shooting ability and scoring prowess led the Boilermakers to deep NCAA tournament runs.
However, Edwards’ leaving early for the NBA left some fans wondering what could have been. Edwards’ Accomplishments
Carsen Edwards’ ability to shoot from deep was unparalleled during his time at Purdue.
He set a school record with 139 made three-pointers during his junior season. He also averaged 24.3 points per game, leading the Big Ten in scoring.
Edwards’ incredible season did not go unnoticed as he was named an All-American and the Big Ten Player of the Year. He led the Boilermakers to the Elite Eight in 2019, where they fell just short of making the Final Four.
Edwards’ scoring ability continued to be impressive during his sophomore season, averaging 18.5 points per game. He helped lead the Boilermakers to the Sweet 16 in 2018, where they fell to the eventual NCAA Champion Villanova Wildcats.
Leaving Early for NBA
Despite his success at Purdue, Edwards decided to leave early for the NBA after his junior season. He was selected in the second round of the 2019 NBA Draft by the Boston Celtics.
However, his transition to the NBA has been a bit rocky. Edwards has struggled to find his role on the Celtics and spent the majority of his rookie season in the G-League.
He did get some playing time towards the end of the season, scoring a season-high 30 points in a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Edwards’ draft stock may have been higher if he had returned to Purdue for his senior season.
It’s likely he could have improved his game and raised his NBA draft stock even further. But his decision to leave early was ultimately his own, and he took a shot at the next level.
6) Robbie Hummel
Robbie Hummel is one of the most versatile players to ever play at Purdue. He had the ability to score from all over the court and was a threat from beyond the arc.
Let’s take a closer look at Hummel’s individual accomplishments and his impact on the team as a whole. Hummel’s Accomplishments
Robbie Hummel’s scoring ability was on full display during his four-year career at Purdue.
He finished his career with 1,772 points, averaging 12.9 points per game. Hummel was also a solid rebounder, grabbing 862 total rebounds, an average of 6.3 rebounds per game.
Hummel was an excellent three-point shooter and finished his career with 238 made three-pointers, ranking him second all-time in Purdue history. He was also named First-Team All-Big Ten three times during his career at Purdue.
In addition to his scoring prowess, Hummel was also a solid defender. He accumulated 135 steals and 93 blocks during his career, showcasing his defensive versatility.
Team Accomplishments
Hummel was an integral part of some of Purdue’s most successful teams in recent memory. He helped lead the Boilermakers to the Sweet 16 in 2009 and 2010 and was part of the team that won the Big Ten Tournament Championship in 2009.
Perhaps Hummel’s most memorable moment came during the 2010 NCAA Tournament. With Purdue facing a tough matchup against Texas A&M in the Round of 32, Hummel put together one of the best performances in his career.
He scored 25 points and grabbed nine rebounds, leading the Boilermakers to a 63-61 victory.
Conclusion
Carsen Edwards and Robbie Hummel are two of the most accomplished players in Purdue basketball history. Edwards’ shooting ability and Hummel’s versatility made them standout performers during their time in West Lafayette.
While Edwards left early for the NBA, Hummel left his mark on the program as a whole helping to elevate the team to new heights.
7) JaJuan Johnson
JaJuan Johnson is widely regarded as one of the best players in Purdue basketball history. His scoring ability, rebounding prowess, and shot-blocking skills made him a dominant force during his time at Purdue.
However, his decision to leave early for the NBA left some fans wondering what could have been. Johnson’s Accomplishments
JaJuan Johnson was a dominant scorer during his time at Purdue, finishing his career with 1,919 points, the ninth most in program history.
He was also a solid rebounder, grabbing 744 total rebounds, an average of 6.3 rebounds per game. Johnson’s shot-blocking ability was also impressive, swatting away 263 shots during his four-year career.
He became Purdue’s all-time blocks leader and still holds that record today. In his senior season, Johnson was named the Big Ten Player of the Year, Consensus First-Team All-American, and finished as a finalist for the Naismith Award.
Leaving Early for NBA
Despite his success at Purdue, Johnson decided to leave early for the