GOAT Crowned! Pete Maravich Beats Out Laettner, Issel & More to Top ESPN’s All-Time College Basketball List
May 18, 2025 — ESPN has officially crowned “Pistol” Pete Maravich as the greatest college basketball player of all time, topping a list that includes legends like Christian Laettner, Dan Issel, and Bill Walton. The ranking, released this week, celebrates the most iconic and dominant figures in NCAA men’s basketball history, with Maravich edging out the competition in a debate that has long stirred passionate arguments among fans and analysts.
Maravich, who starred at LSU from 1967 to 1970, was a revolutionary talent whose scoring prowess and flashy playing style redefined what was possible on a college court. Despite playing in an era without the three-point line or shot clock, he amassed an astonishing 3,667 career points — a record that still stands today. Over three seasons, Maravich averaged 44.2 points per game, a feat unmatched in NCAA history.
ESPN’s panel of college basketball experts cited Maravich’s combination of skill, showmanship, and statistical dominance as the primary factors behind his selection. “When you look at what Pete did in just three years — no threes, no shot clock — it’s not just the numbers, it’s how he did it,” said ESPN analyst Jay Bilas. “He was decades ahead of his time. He would have thrived in any era.”
Christian Laettner, widely remembered for his clutch performances and four straight Final Fours with Duke, came in second. Though he holds the NCAA record for most tournament games played and is one of the most decorated players in history, Laettner’s consistency and winning pedigree weren’t quite enough to dethrone the singular brilliance of Maravich.
Dan Issel of Kentucky and Lew Alcindor (later Kareem Abdul-Jabbar) of UCLA also ranked highly on the list. Alcindor, a three-time national champion and three-time Final Four Most Outstanding Player, was perhaps the strongest competition in terms of accolades. However, Maravich’s unprecedented scoring and cultural impact tipped the scales in his favor.
Bill Walton, Larry Bird, and Magic Johnson rounded out the top 10, each bringing their own style and championship pedigree to the table. But none could match the mythic aura that surrounds Maravich’s collegiate career.
Though he never played in the NCAA Tournament, largely due to LSU’s overall team struggles, Maravich captivated fans with his no-look passes, deep-range jumpers, and ball-handling wizardry. His impact transcended wins and losses, influencing generations of players and coaches alike.
Social media buzzed following the announcement, with fans debating the rankings and sharing rare footage of Maravich’s performances. Current NBA players like Steph Curry and Trae Young, both known for their long-range shooting and creative ball-handling, have often credited Maravich as a major influence.
The ESPN list was compiled based on input from a panel of former coaches, players, journalists, and historians. Criteria included individual accolades, statistical dominance, team success, and impact on the game.
In the end, Pete Maravich’s artistry and statistical supremacy proved too overwhelming to deny. Decades after his final college game, the “Pistol” continues to set the standard for excellence in college basketball — now officially crowned by ESPN as the greatest of all time.
