The University of Connecticut has only been considered a basketball power for two decades, but a pair of National Championships (1999, 2004) and a host of eventual NBA stars have helped put Storrs, Connecticut on the map.

1. Richard “Rip” Hamilton (1996-99) – Hamilton entered UConn lore for leading the team to their first-ever NCAA Tournament title in 1999, when he was named Most Outstanding Player in his senior season.

2. Emeka Okafor (2001-04) – Okafor punctuated his career at Connecticut by taking home MOP honors while leading the team to their second National Title in 2004. Perhaps more impressively, he earned a degree in finance in just three years and graduated with a 3.8 GPA.

3. Ray Allen (1993-96) – He played just before the Huskies hit it big, but was a first-team All-American as a senior. An underrated scorer and leader while with the Bucks and Sonics, Allen has become nationally appreciated as a member of the Celtics.

4. Tate George (1986-90) – George will forever be a part of NCAA Tournament lore for his dramatic buzzer-beater against Clemson in 1990.

5. Chris Smith (1988-92) – The Huskies’ career leader with 2,145 points is also a Connecticut native.

6. Donyell Marshall (1991-94) – Unanimous pick as Big East Player of the Year in 1994.

7. Clifford Robinson (1985-89) – Robinson, a second-round pick by the NBA’s Trail Blazers in 1989, was one of UConn’s first big stars. He helped lead the Huskies to the 1988 NIT Championship and was named to the All-Tournament team.

8. Rudy Gay (2004-06) – Spent just two seasons in Storrs, but remains one of the most prized recruits in Connecticut history.

9. Ben Gordon (2001-04) – Gordon hit the game-winning three-pointer against Villanova in the Big East Tournament as a freshman.

10. Caron Butler (2000-02) – He played just two seasons for the Huskies and would be much higher on this list had he not entered the NBA after his sophomore season.