One of tonight’s marquee college games will pit #7 UCLA vs. Oregon. Led by super-frosh Kevin Love (16.8 ppg, 10.3 rpg) and junior PG Darren Collison (12.4 ppg, 3.8 apg), the Bruins have as much talent as any team in the country. But even though the Ducks are unranked, we’ve seen time after time that no team is safe stepping onto U of O’s raucous Mac Court — so don’t be surprised at all if Malik Hairston (18 ppg) and Maarty Leunen (15.9 ppg, 9.9 rpg) pave the way for an upset. Historically, though, it’s no match. UCLA has been a factory for NBA players. How would an Oregon alumni squad match up?
OREGON (Player, Position, Last Year in School)
Terrell Brandon, PG, 1991 — Remember when Brandon was considered to be arguably the best pure PG in the game? The two-time All-Star averaged 13.8 points and 6.1 assists during a pro career spent with the Cavs, Bucks and Wolves.
Steve “Snapper” Jones, SG, 1967 — More famous today for his color commentary, Snapper used to drop buckets during an All-Star career in the ABA, twice finishing in the league’s Top 10 in scoring.
Luke Jackson, SF, 2004 — A first-round pick in ‘04, Jackson’s career has been almost derailed by injuries. He’s still hanging on today with the Heat, but he’s far from an impact player in the League.
Stan Love, PF, 1971 — Kevin Love’s dad was The Man in Eugene, putting together a career that landed him in the University’s Athletics Hall of Fame before a four-year run in the League with the Lakers, Spurs and Bullets.
Blair Rasmussen, C, 1985 — He had a decent 8-year run with the Nuggets and Hawks, averaging 9.6 points and 5.7 rebounds. One thing he was good at: being physical. Rasmussen finished in the League’s Top 10 in personal fouls twice.
BENCH — Greg Ballard (F, 1977); Jim Barnett (SF, 1966); Aaron Brooks (PG, 2007); Fred Jones (SG, 2002); Luke Ridnour (PG, 2003).
UCLA
Baron Davis, PG, 1999 — No one denies Baron’s talent; some even consider him the prototypical 21st-century point guard. The two-time All-Star was playing on an MVP level as recently as last spring. Baron’s been hampered by injuries throughout his career, though, keeping him from reaching first-tier superstar status.
Reggie Miller, SG, 1987 — Considered one of the best pure shooters of all-time, one of the greatest clutch performers of all-time, and he is the NBA’s all-time leader in three-pointers made.
Jamaal Wilkes, SF, 1974 — In his prime, “Silk” was a 20-ppg scorer with the Lakers just as they were transitioning into the “Showtime” era. He averaged 17.7 points, 6.2 boards and 1.3 steals in his pro career.
Bill Walton, PF/C, 1974 — Walton’s Hall of Fame career was cut short by injuries, but he was still able to put up 13 points and 10 rebounds per game in the NBA. One of the best passing big men of all-time and the consummate team player.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, C, 1969 — Only the greatest college ballplayer of all-time, and on the short list in the discussion for the NBA’s greatest of all-time.
BENCH — Lucius Allen (G, 1969); Mark Eaton (C, 1982); Marques Johnson (F, 1977); Pooh Richardson (PG, 1989); Kiki Vandeweghe (F, 1980).



January 24th, 2008 at 5:01 pm
Celts Fan says:
The 2 best college players ever in the post for UCLA. Oregon would be happy just to leave with their dignity intact.
January 24th, 2008 at 6:17 pm
Mike C says:
Not even close.. the only school that can legitimately hang with UCLA alums is UNC.
January 24th, 2008 at 9:46 pm
kowtz says:
Say what????
Let’s not forget the UH Cougars here…
Hah… I know mike, vince, Jstack, James (worthy, Billy Cunningham, and company (UNC) pretty much covers the most dominant alumni, but…
UH Cougars lineup?
Clyde the Glide
Hakeem the Dream
Elvin Hayes
Bo Outlaw
Otis Birdstrong
The Phi Slama Jama
I say, they’d make a run for UCLA’s money…
Also how about the Hoya’s?
Ewing?
Zo?
Dike?
AI, Iverson?
Even LSU, should be there with 3 hall of famers (2 inducted and 1 a shoo in…)
Petit
Pistol Pete
and Big “toe” Aristotle
January 24th, 2008 at 10:02 pm
jamesinva says:
didnt ahmad rashad (spelling) play for the ducks as well? not that he made such a huge impact or anything haha…. i went to the U of O for 2 years, lived in Eugene for 6 years, and remember the name Alex Scales? He was putting up numbers for the ducks. last time i checked he was trying to make it with the spurs at their camp few years ago. didnt stick.
January 25th, 2008 at 12:14 am
Austin Burton says:
(My cousin) Ahmad Rashad played football at Oregon and later in the NFL.
January 25th, 2008 at 6:04 am
simpeter says:
Pooh Richardson? pooh-pooh. How about Gail Goodrich? Even Walt Hazzard aces Pooh by a mile. Where’s Sidney Wicks, btw?
He was AWESOME at UCLA. NBA rookie of the year. Annihilated Artis Gilmore in 1970 NCAA final. He had a good NBA career, but at UCLA, he was a god.
January 25th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
doc says:
Pooh got that Philly flavor stop hating he’ll bust them old niggas ass. I remember Brandon was nice but nobody ever said he was better than Stockton or Kidd.