CU44SE
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This is obviously following Kiyan’s list. Someone started another “top players” thread—which we’ve done plenty of times before—but it’s always fun to revisit. Using Kiyan’s criteria (basically since his dad was at SU), let’s extend the window to the past 25 years.
With that in mind: What’s the best starting five you could build from the last 25 years?
You can construct the team however you want—small ball, traditional, all-defense, pure scorers—whatever mix you think would dominate.
Here’s my lineup:
PG: Tyler Ennis
SG: Andy Rautins (Senior year—he did so much)
SF: Carmelo Anthony
PF: Wesley Johnson (wanted Hakim, but couldn’t justify him over Wesley)
C: Fab Melo (Sophomore year)
I picked my team with a focus on offensive production and how they’d function in the 2-3 zone since that was our primary defense.
Why I chose them:
PG: Ennis felt like the most complete point guard. MCW was elite defensively and great at the top of the zone, but Ennis had such a calm, steady control over the offense—never rushed, always composed.
SG: This spot was tough—Rautins, Gerry, and Dion all deserve a look. Dion had the highest ceiling and could take over games. Gerry was clutch and consistent. But I loved Rautins’ two-way game, especially his defense and versatility on offense.
SF: No-brainer—Melo. Nothing else to say here.
PF: Hakim is one of my all-time favorites, but Wesley Johnson was too dynamic to leave off. He could shoot lights out, defend multiple positions, and was an elite weak-side shot blocking. His ability to stretch the defense is what made Wesley Johnson my pick.
C: Sophomore-year Fab Melo was an absolute monster in the paint. I’ve never seen that kind of defensive presence in the zone before or since. Arinze is probably #2 for me in this stretch, with Rak Christmas close behind.
What would your five look like? Where do you agree or disagree?
With that in mind: What’s the best starting five you could build from the last 25 years?
You can construct the team however you want—small ball, traditional, all-defense, pure scorers—whatever mix you think would dominate.
Here’s my lineup:
PG: Tyler Ennis
SG: Andy Rautins (Senior year—he did so much)
SF: Carmelo Anthony
PF: Wesley Johnson (wanted Hakim, but couldn’t justify him over Wesley)
C: Fab Melo (Sophomore year)
I picked my team with a focus on offensive production and how they’d function in the 2-3 zone since that was our primary defense.
Why I chose them:
PG: Ennis felt like the most complete point guard. MCW was elite defensively and great at the top of the zone, but Ennis had such a calm, steady control over the offense—never rushed, always composed.
SG: This spot was tough—Rautins, Gerry, and Dion all deserve a look. Dion had the highest ceiling and could take over games. Gerry was clutch and consistent. But I loved Rautins’ two-way game, especially his defense and versatility on offense.
SF: No-brainer—Melo. Nothing else to say here.
PF: Hakim is one of my all-time favorites, but Wesley Johnson was too dynamic to leave off. He could shoot lights out, defend multiple positions, and was an elite weak-side shot blocking. His ability to stretch the defense is what made Wesley Johnson my pick.
C: Sophomore-year Fab Melo was an absolute monster in the paint. I’ve never seen that kind of defensive presence in the zone before or since. Arinze is probably #2 for me in this stretch, with Rak Christmas close behind.
What would your five look like? Where do you agree or disagree?
