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Best NBA Player from every Power 5 School

By Christopher Kline

Anthony Davis | NBA (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Anthony Davis | NBA (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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Jason Kidd
Jason Kidd | Mandatory Credit: Otto Greule /Allsport /

Best NBA player who played for Cal Golden Bears — Jason Kidd

  • NBA Champion
  • 10X All-Star
  • 1995 Rookie of the Year

Jason Kidd is too often overlooked in the discussion of great NBA point guards. He’s truly one of the best, with 10 All-Star appearances, nine All-Defense nominations, and a whole lot of assists to show for it.

Kidd started his career in Dallas, but blossomed in Phoenix. In the Suns’ guard-heavy, up-tempo offense, Kidd registered elite assist numbers — leading the league three consecutive years from 1999 to 2001. He was named to first-team All-NBA in three consecutive years as well.

Kidd moved to New Jersey in 2001, and he led the Nets to consecutive Finals appearances in 2002 and 2003. He transformed the Nets from irrelevant to heavyweights, and did so in large part by bettering his teammates. Kidd would later play with Vince Carter, but injuries held him back. He was traded to Dallas in 2008, and won his only NBA championship next to Dirk Nowitzki in 2011.

In two seasons at Cal, Kidd made the Golden Bears competitive. He didn’t win a championship, but he led the NCAA in assists as a sophomore and quickly made waves on NBA radars. He declared for the draft as a sophomore and was selected second overall in 1994.

Runner-up: Kevin Johnson — A three-time All-Star and five-time All-NBA recipient — not to mention the 1989 Most Improved Player — Johnson patrolled the Phoenix backcourt throughout the 90s. 

Best NBA player who played for Clemson Tigers — Horace Grant

  • 4X NBA Champion
  • 1X All-Star
  • 4X All-Defense

The 10th overall pick in 1987, Horace Grant spent the first seven seasons of his career in Chicago, winning three championships and making his lone All-Star appearance in 1994. Playing next to Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen, Grant completed one of the best Big 3s in NBA history.

Nicknamed ‘The General’ and ‘The Enforcer,’ Grant lived up to his unofficial titles on the floor. He was a dominant interior defender, using his chiseled 6-foot-10 frame to seal off the basket and overpower unwitting power forwards. He helped to anchor the Bulls’ historic defense.

In four years at Clemson, Grant became the program’s standard-bearer. He was ACC Player of the Year in 1987, and became the first ACC player to lead the conference in scoring, rebounding, and field goal percentage.

Runner-up: Larry Nance — A powerful athlete and gifted defender, Larry Nance made three All-Star appearances in 13 NBA seasons, split almost evenly between Phoenix and Cleveland.