The Greatest Big Five Players of All Time
Mt. Rushmore of Philadelphia College Sports
Through online voting, ESPN has asked viewers to select their home state’s Mt. Rushmore of Sports. In this fifth story of a six part series, the Philadelphia Big Five’s Mt. Rushmore is unveiled. Each professional team in Philadelphia along with the Big Five will have their own Mt. Rushmore before the final Mt. Rushmore of Philadelphia Sports in unveiled. All current and former players, executives, owners and broadcasters are eligible.
College Basketball, because of the unique Big Five system and the Palestra, has a special place in the Philadelphia sport's world. Saint Joseph's, Pennsylvania, Temple, La Salle and Villanova have been home to some of the best college basketball players in the country. While the days of triple-headers at the Palestra are long gone, the Cathedral of College Basketball, as the Palestra is known, still plays host to some of the best rivalries in college basketball such as the Holy War between Saint Joseph's and Villanova.
Temple's Mark Macon (12)
The all-time leading scorer in Atlantic 10 men’s basketball history was a dominating force in the Big Five during his days at Temple University. The four-time All-American led the Owls in scoring in each of his four years on North Broad Street. Macon was named the national Freshman of the Year for the 1987-1988 season as he led the Owls to the Elite 8 and a 32-2 record.
St. Joseph's Jameer Nelson (14)
The greatest player to ever put on a Hawks' uniform, Jameer Nelson inspired a city in 2004 as he led the Hawks to the Elite 8. Nelson, during his senior year, averaged 20.6 points, 5.3 assists, 4.7 rebounds and 3.0 steals per game as he helped the Hawks to a perfect 27-0 regular season. Nelson won the 2004 Naismith and Wooden Player of the Year awards. Since his departure from Hawk Hill, Nelson, an all-star point guard for the Orlando Magic, has become a large financial contributor to the program that developed him into one of the best players in Big Five history.
La Salle's Tom Gola (15)
Tom Gola, the man for whom the La Salle University basketball arena is named, left his mark on Big Five basketball during his playing at coaching days for the Explorers. The four-time All-American holds the record for most career rebounds with 2,201. Gola led the Explorers to win the 1954 NCAA championship and was named the tournament’s MVP. Gola was enshrined in the Naismith Hall of Fame in 1976.
La Salle's Lionel Simmons (22)
A Philadelphia native, Lionel Simmons was one of the best players in the country during his tenure at La Salle University. Simmons ranks third on the all-time leading scorers list in NCAA history with 3.217 career points. The only Division I men’s basketball players to ever score more points than Simmons were Pete Maravich and Freeman Williams. As a senior, Simmons won the Naismith and Wooden Player of the Year awards.
To read the other Mt. Rushmore of Philadelphia sports articles, follow the following choices.
Philadelphia Phillies: http://major-league-baseball.suite101.com/article.cfm/mt_rushmore_of_philadelphia_sports
Philadelphia Eagles: http://national-football-league-nfl.suite101.com/article.cfm/mt_rushmore_of_philadelphia_sports
Philadelphia Flyers: http://national-hockey-league-nhl.suite101.com/article.cfm/mt_rushmore_of_philadelphia_sports
Philadelphia 76ers: http://nba.suite101.com/article.cfm/mt_rushmore_of_philadelphia_sports
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