Dating back to 1956, the University of New Mexico has helped guide a multitude of players into the NBA. New Mexico fans have witnessed many dominant players blossom right before them. Ranking the top five Lobo basketball players of all time is a difficult task; accounting for individual careers in Cherry and Silver followed by life after UNM, I have taken on the task of ranking the best to ever wear a Lobo uniform.
Honorable mention: Ruben Douglas (2000-03)
Douglas — the only player on this list with no NBA experience — was one of the most prolific college scorers to wear a New Mexico jersey.
After transferring from Arizona following the 1998-1999 season, Douglas led the Lobos in scoring for all three years as a Lobo. In his final season at UNM, Douglas was not only the top scorer for his team, but led the nation with nearly 28 points per contest.
The nation’s top scorer earned the Mountain West Player of the Year Award. Douglas finished his résumé at UNM with 1,782 points and 483 rebounds. With one more season in Cherry and Silver, Douglas may have cracked the top five.
5. Charles Smith (1993-97)
For three straight seasons, Smith led the team in scoring, propelling him to the top of UNM’s all-time scorers.
The Fort Worth, Texas native guard was by no means just a scorer, as he collected 574 boards during his tenure at New Mexico. Smith is just one of eight UNM basketball players to be drafted in the first round of the NBA draft.
After being selected 26th overall by the Miami Heat in 1997, Smith’s professional career consisted of five different NBA teams, in addition to playing several years overseas. Although not as successful in the NBA as he was as a Lobo, Smith’s accolades in college has warranted him a number-four spot on UNM’s all-time greats.
4. Kenny Thomas (1995-1999)
Thomas is the only member of UNM’s 1,000-point club to also bring down more than 1,000 rebounds. The 1998 All-American is second on UNM’s all-time scoring list. The local star was born in Atlanta, but moved to Albuquerque to finish high school at Albuquerque High.
Thomas made the shift from center to power forward after being drafted 22nd overall in the 1999 NBA draft by the Houston Rockets. Thomas, another first-round draft pick, tallied 9.3 points per game and averaged 6.9 boards on three different teams in the NBA.
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Thomas averaged over 27 minutes during his 11-year career.
3. Danny Granger (2003-05)
After transferring to New Mexico from Bradley University, Granger led the Lobos in scoring in both the 2003-04 season and in the 2004-05 campaign.
Granger, also a first-round draft pick following his tenure as a Lobo, has found some success in the NBA. During his decade in the pros, Granger has averaged 16.8 points per contest and nearly five rebounds per game.
During his nine-year role as a small forward on the Indiana Pacers, Granger was named to his only NBA All-Star game during the 2008-09 season while also being deemed the league’s most improved player. Granger is currently a member of the Detroit Pistons after floating to five different teams in the past two years following a trade to the Philadelphia 76ers in February 2014.
2. Luc Longley (1987-1991)
The 7-foot-2 Australian center is a three-time NBA world champion. His 10 years in the NBA warranted a spot in the Sport Australia Hall of Fame. Longley played 132 games in a Lobo uniform, averaging 13.4 points per contest and 7.0 boards per game.
Longley is the only UNM player with a triple-double after a 17-point, 14-rebound, and 10-assist showing against Penn State on March 28, 1990. Another first-round draft selection, Longley’s seventh overall selection is the highest of any Lobo in the NBA draft. UNM’s best-known “big man” averaged 7.2 points, 4.9 boards, and one block per game during his decade in the NBA.
1. Michael Cooper (1976-1978)
Michael Cooper, the native of Pasadena, California enjoyed a very successful career on the defensive side of things. Cooper was named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team five times during his 12 years as a Laker. He was also a three-time NBA Defensive Player Second Team.
The five-time NBA champion played all 12 of his years in Los Angeles, as a defensive specialist for the Lakers. Cooper was named the Defensive Player of the Year in 1987. Though he only started 94 games of the 873 he appeared in, the forward/guard provided plenty off of the bench, collecting 8.9 points, 3.2 boards, 4.2 assists, and 1.2 steals per game. In each of Cooper’s two years as a Lobo, he was named to the all-conference team.
Cooper was picked in the 3rd round, 60th overall, of the 1978 NBA draft — the same year he received All-American status. Cooper took his basketball knowledge to the WNBA following his NBA career and has won two championships as head coach of the Los Angeles Sparks.
Other honorable mentions: Tony Snell, Marvin Johnson, Mel Daniels, Clayton Shields, Lamont Long and Ira Harge.
Liam Cary-Eaves is the sports editor of the Daily Lobo. He can be reached at assistantsports@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @Liam_CE.
