Best NBA Player from every Power 5 School

Best NBA player who played for NC State Wolfpack — Nate McMillan

• 2X All-Defensive Second Team

Nate McMillan spent his entire 12-year career in Seattle, where he buttered his bread on the defensive end. McMillian was never a big scorer, but he dished out assists with the best of ‘em. He set the rookie single-game assist record with 25, and made two All-Defensive teams over the course of his career.

At 6-foot-5, McMillan brought good size to the point guard spot. He was a physical perimeter defender, but also possessed quick hands, leading the NBA in steals in 1993-94 with 3.0 per game. He was a proud disruptor and consistently turned good defense into good offense via his transition playmaking.

After spending two years at community college, McMillan spent his junior and senior years at the helm for NC State. He was similarly stolid on defense and led the Wolfpack to consecutive Elite Eight appearances. He was selected 30th overall by Seattle in 1986.

Runner-up: Spud Webb — The notoriously spunky Webb carved out a nice career despite his diminutive stature at 5-foot-6, 133 pounds. 

Best NBA player who played for Nebraska Cornhuskers — Tyronn Lue

• 2X NBA Champion

Tyronn Lue spent the first three years of his career in Los Angeles, winning the 2000 and 2001 championships. He was a fringe contributor in LA, but his career was jumpstarted by a strong 2001 postseason — including his well-documented defensive battles with Allen Iverson in the Finals.

A diminutive point guard with quick feet and a penchant for defense, Lue carved out a solid niche in the NBA. The 6-footer bounced around after his championships, spending time in Washington, Orlando, Atlanta, Milwaukee, and Dallas before his eventual retirement and move into coaching.

Lue spent three years at Nebraska, where he tied the franchise record for most games with over 30 points and led the team in assists all three years. He made second-team All-Big 10 in 1997 and first-team All-Big 10 in 1998, and before that, helped the Cornhuskers to the 1996 NIT championship.

Runner-up: Stu Lantz — A multi-faceted guard, Lantz spent the first four seasons of his career — and his four most productive seasons — with the Rockets, who transitioned from San Diego to Houston.