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NCAA Basketball’s Best No. 1 Recruits Since 2005

By Michael Whitlow

Apr 6, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Duke Blue Devils center Jahlil Okafor (15) shoots during warmups prior to the game against the Wisconsin Badgers in the 2015 NCAA Men
Apr 6, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Duke Blue Devils center Jahlil Okafor (15) shoots during warmups prior to the game against the Wisconsin Badgers in the 2015 NCAA Men /
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Michael Beasley: One of the most dynamic NCAA Basketball stars in recent memory
Mar 7, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat forward Michael Beasley (30) shoots over Sacramento Kings forward Jason Thompson (34) during the second half at American Airlines Arena. The Heat won in overtime 114-109. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Michael Beasley — Kansas State

If it wasn’t for some guy named Derrick Rose (No. 3 on Rivals’ big board in 2007) taking away some of the spotlight on the best team throughout most of the 2007-08 college hoop season, Michael Beasley would’ve been the top overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft by a country mile.

(Plus, Rose’s hometown Chicago Bulls had the top pick in the 2008 NBA Draft.)

You could create a power forward in NCAA Basketball 10 or NBA 2K, and your created player probably wouldn’t put up the numbers that Beasley put up during his only season at Kansas State.

Not only did Beasley finish as the third-leading scorer in the country (26.2 points per game), he led the country in rebounds (12.4), shot 37.9 percent from three-point land, and registered 28 double-doubles on the year.

Beasley not only holds 30 total Kansas State records, he holds 17 Big XII records, including the single-game scoring record (44 points vs. Baylor).

Even with some off-the-court troubles after being selected No. 2 by the Miami Heat in the 2008 NBA Draft, Michael Beasley’s one season at KSU was the obvious choice to put atop this decade-long list.

Next: NCAA Preseason All-American First Team Projections

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