The conversation around Arizona State basketball often returns to a simple question: which players have left the most indelible mark on the program since the year 2000? The answer forms a modern‑day Mount Rushmore, a group of standout Sun Devils whose contributions resonated both on campus and in professional arenas.
Jahii Carson: The Playmaking Maestro
Jahii Carson arrived in Tempe as a redshirt freshman and quickly established himself as one of the Pac‑12’s most dynamic point guards. He averaged 18.5 points and 5.1 assists per game, a combination that earned him two First Team All‑Pac‑12 honors and cemented his place among the conference’s elite.
Ike Diogu’s junior season showcased a rare blend of scoring and rebounding. He posted 22.6 points, 9.8 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game, a performance that led to Pac‑10 Player of the Year recognition and the ninth overall pick in the 2005 NBA Draft.
James Harden, a top‑20 recruit out of high school, burst onto the scene with a sophomore campaign that saw him lead the Pac‑10 in both scoring and steals. His excellence was rewarded with First Team All‑American honors and the Pac‑10 Player of the Year award, signaling a trajectory that would later define an NBA superstar.
Remy Martin closed his collegiate career with back‑to‑back seasons of 19.1 points per game, culminating in a senior year where he topped the league in scoring. His consistency helped anchor the Sun Devils during a period of transition and gave fans a reliable offensive focal point.
Coaching the Talent
Herb Sendek and Bobby Hurley each guided talented rosters that routinely competed deep into the NCAA Tournament. Despite their efforts, the team fell just short of advancing past the second round, a near‑miss that underscored both the potential and the challenges of building a championship culture.
Beyond individual statistics, these players helped shape a broader narrative of Arizona State basketball — one that blends high‑level collegiate competition with a pipeline to professional basketball. Their legacies continue to influence recruiting, fan engagement, and the university’s identity on the national stage.