Best Marquette basketball players of the 21st century
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10. Dominic James (2005-09)
James put together one of the best freshman seasons in Marquette history. James' 15.3 points and 5.4 assists per game both rank second all-time among MU freshmen. For his career, James finished fourth in points and second in assists all-time.Jim McIsaacImage copyright 2017 Getty Images. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
James put together one of the best freshman seasons in Marquette history. James' 15.3 points and 5.4 assists per game both rank second all-time among MU freshmen. For his career, James finished fourth in points and second in assists all-time.Jim McIsaacImage copyright 2017 Getty Images. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
9. Jimmy Butler (2008-11)
Before Jimmy Butler became Jimmy Buckets in Chicago, he was a two-way beast for Marquette. Butler averaged 15.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.4 steals his final year in Milwaukee.Jim McIsaacImage copyright 2017 Getty Images. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Before Jimmy Butler became Jimmy Buckets in Chicago, he was a two-way beast for Marquette. Butler averaged 15.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.4 steals his final year in Milwaukee.Jim McIsaacImage copyright 2017 Getty Images. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
8. Darius Johnson-Odom (2009-12)
Even though DJO was only at Marquette for three seasons, he quickly became one of the top scorers in the Big East, averaging 15.7 points for his career. During his senior season, Johnson-Odom cracked double-digit scoring in 33 of his 34 games en route to the Golden Eagles' trip to the Sweet 16.Andy LyonsImage copyright 2017 Getty Images. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Even though DJO was only at Marquette for three seasons, he quickly became one of the top scorers in the Big East, averaging 15.7 points for his career. During his senior season, Johnson-Odom cracked double-digit scoring in 33 of his 34 games en route to the Golden Eagles' trip to the Sweet 16.Andy LyonsImage copyright 2017 Getty Images. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
7. Wes Matthews (2005-09)
Matthews was a do-it-all star for the Golden Eagles, with the ability to score from anywhere, as well as defend the opponent's top perimeter player. One of his more unsung skills was his ability to get to the free throw line; Matthews averaged over seven free throw attempts per game his senior season. The current Dallas Maverick is the program's all-time leader in made free throws.Jonathan DanielImage copyright 2017 Getty Images. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Matthews was a do-it-all star for the Golden Eagles, with the ability to score from anywhere, as well as defend the opponent's top perimeter player. One of his more unsung skills was his ability to get to the free throw line; Matthews averaged over seven free throw attempts per game his senior season. The current Dallas Maverick is the program's all-time leader in made free throws.Jonathan DanielImage copyright 2017 Getty Images. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
6. Steve Novak (2002-06)
Not only was the sharpshooting Novak a crucial part of the Final Four run in 2003, he also helped bridge the gap as Marquette transitioned from Conference USA into the Big East. Novak is the program's all-time leader in three point makes and three-point percentage (46.1 percent).ElsaImage copyright 2017 Getty Images. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Not only was the sharpshooting Novak a crucial part of the Final Four run in 2003, he also helped bridge the gap as Marquette transitioned from Conference USA into the Big East. Novak is the program's all-time leader in three point makes and three-point percentage (46.1 percent).ElsaImage copyright 2017 Getty Images. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
5. Lazar Hayward (2006-10)
Hayward, who is second all-time in scoring for the Golden Eagles, was a dominant present both inside and out for head coach Buzz Williams. Hayward shot nearly 36 percent from distance over his four seasons in Milwaukee, while also manning the middle on defense at just 6'6. He averaged 18.1 points and 7.5 rebounds his senior season at Marquette.Jed JacobsohnImage copyright 2017 Getty Images. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hayward, who is second all-time in scoring for the Golden Eagles, was a dominant present both inside and out for head coach Buzz Williams. Hayward shot nearly 36 percent from distance over his four seasons in Milwaukee, while also manning the middle on defense at just 6'6. He averaged 18.1 points and 7.5 rebounds his senior season at Marquette.Jed JacobsohnImage copyright 2017 Getty Images. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
4. Travis Diener (2001-05)
Diener's abilty to score and pass was an integral part of Marquette's 2003 Final Four team. For his career, Diener is third in all-time assists, sixth in points, and second in three-point makes.Jonathan DanielImage copyright 2017 Getty Images. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Diener's abilty to score and pass was an integral part of Marquette's 2003 Final Four team. For his career, Diener is third in all-time assists, sixth in points, and second in three-point makes.Jonathan DanielImage copyright 2017 Getty Images. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
3. Jerel McNeal (2005-09)
McNeal is the all-time leading scorer in Marquette history. He led the Golden Eagles to the NCAA tournament all four years, and poured in 19.8 points per game during his senior season.Jonathan DanielImage copyright 2017 Getty Images. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
McNeal is the all-time leading scorer in Marquette history. He led the Golden Eagles to the NCAA tournament all four years, and poured in 19.8 points per game during his senior season.Jonathan DanielImage copyright 2017 Getty Images. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
2. Jae Crowder (2010-12)
Crowder took a massive leap in his last season with Marquette, averaging 17.5 points and 8.4 rebounds per game en route to being named the Big East Player of the Year. The Golden Eagles advanced to the Sweet 16 in both of Crowder's seasons with Marquette.Nick LahamImage copyright 2017 Getty Images. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Crowder took a massive leap in his last season with Marquette, averaging 17.5 points and 8.4 rebounds per game en route to being named the Big East Player of the Year. The Golden Eagles advanced to the Sweet 16 in both of Crowder's seasons with Marquette.Nick LahamImage copyright 2017 Getty Images. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
1. Dwyane Wade (2001-03)
Wade's iconic triple double (29 points, 11 rebounds, 11 assists) against Kentucky in the Elite 8 propelled Marquette to the Final Four in 2003. D-Wade averaged 19.7 points in his two seasons in Milwaukee, and was named the 2002-03 Conference USA Player of the Year. His number 3 jersey is retired by Marquette.Craig JonesImage copyright 2017 Getty Images. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Wade's iconic triple double (29 points, 11 rebounds, 11 assists) against Kentucky in the Elite 8 propelled Marquette to the Final Four in 2003. D-Wade averaged 19.7 points in his two seasons in Milwaukee, and was named the 2002-03 Conference USA Player of the Year. His number 3 jersey is retired by Marquette.Craig JonesImage copyright 2017 Getty Images. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.