BYU Basketball: Building the ultimate BYU NCAA team
By Adam Gibby
Yes, BYU Basketball isn’t going to the NCAA Tournament, but what if we could create the perfect all time roster?
Many fans hoped that this year would be the year that the BYU Basketball team would make a big run in the NCAA Tournament. We all know what happened and instead of focusing on what could have been, what if we created the all-time BYU Basketball team?
Granted, there are going to be some mistakes and players on or not on these lists that are debatable. The team will be consisted of 15 players, three players in each position on a standard team: point guard, shooting guard, small forward, power forward and center.
Point Guards
Starter: Danny Ainge (1977-1981)
Although many will question why Jimmer Fredette isn’t on this list as the starter or even a backup, but don’t worry he will be later. During his career Ainge was the definition of a true efficient point guard. He averaged 20.9 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 1.7 steals. Perhaps the most intriguing stat aboud Ainge however was his efficiency. Over his four seasons, Ainge shot at .526 which shows that he made good decisions and knew when it was best for him to pass or take the shot.
Backup 1: Kyle Collinsworth (2010-2011, 2014-2016)
Mr. Triple Double. Arguably on a perfect team he would be a small forward, but if you need a point guard to dish out the ball, there is nobody better than Collinsworth. In his final two seasons, he averaged 6.8 assists, 7.4 rebounds and scored 14.5 points. He was a bit of a liability on the free throw line which is not what you want from your PG at the end of the game, but as a solid backup to Ainge or if needing to find the open guy, Collinsworth is the player you want on the court.
Backup 2: Dick Nemelka (1963-1966)
Dick Nemelka led BYU Basketball to a NIT Championship season in 1966. In 1966, the NIT was a much bigger tournament than it is today. It was viewed as almost an alternative tournament. Nemelka averaged 24 points per game in his senior year. There are no other stats that were recorded, but if he was good enough to guide his team to the championship he has to make the list.