Four Tigers Named Among ACC’s Top 50 Male Athletes

Jan. 22, 2003

GREENSBORO, N.C. — The Atlantic Coast Conference 50th Anniversary Top 50 Male Athletes were announced today by Commissioner John D. Swofford. The 50-member team was voted on by a 120-member blue-ribbon committee that was selected by the league’s 50th Anniversary Committee.

“The success of the Atlantic Coast Conference in its first 50 years is due in large part to the quality of its student-athletes.” said Swofford. “That quality is represented in these 50 former student-athletes which include Olympic medalists, NCAA national champions, national award winners and many of the famous names in ACC history. There have been so many great athletes in the first 50 years of the ACC, that the accomplishments of those on this list is underscored by the contributions of all of the student-athletes who have competed in the ACC since the league’s inception in 1953.”

North Carolina led all league schools with 12 members on the Golden Anniversary team while Duke, Florida State, and NC State were second with six honorees each. Maryland and Wake Forest each had five athletes selected, followed by Clemson (4), Georgia Tech (3) and Virginia (3).

Representing Clemson are Kris Benson, Terry Kinard, Bruce Murray and William Perry.

ACC 50th Anniversary – Top 50 Male Athletes

Sport School Years HometownShane Battier Basketball Duke 1998-2001 Birmingham Mich. Jim BeattyC. Country/Indoor Track North Carolina 1954-1956 Charlotte N.C.Kris Benson Baseball Clemson 1994-1996 Kennesaw Ga. Len BiasBasketball Maryland 1983-1986 Landover Md. Derrick Brooks FootballFlorida State 1991-1994 Pensacola Fla. Ted Brown Football NC State1975-1978 High Point N.C. Tom Burleson Basketball NC State1971-1974 Newland N.C. Len Chappell Basketball Wake Forest1960-1962 Portage Pa. Billy Cunningham Basketball North Carolina1963-1965 Brooklyn N.Y. Johnny Dawkins Basketball Duke 1983-1986Washington D.C. Juan Dixon Basketball Maryland 1999-2002 BaltimoreMd. J.D. Drew Baseball Florida State 1995-1997 Hahira Ga. TimDuncan Basketball Wake Forest 1994-1997 St. Croix Virgin IslandsWarrick Dunn Football Florida State 1993-1996 Baton Rouge La. DavidDuval Golf Georgia Tech 1990-1993 Ponte Vedra Beach Fla. Phil FordBasketball North Carolina 1975-1978 Rocky Mount N.C. Roman GabrielFootball NC State 1959-1961 Wilmington N.C. Nomar GarciaparraBaseball Georgia Tech 1992-1994 Whittier Calif. Dickie HemricBasketball Wake Forest 1952-1955 Jonesville N.C. Grant HillBasketball Duke 1991-1994 Reston Va. Torry Holt Football NC State1995-1998 Gibsonville N.C. T.J. Jaworsky Wrestling North Carolina1993-1995 Edmond Okla. Michael Jordan Basketball North Carolina1982-1984 WilmingtonN.C. Terry Kinard Football Clemson 1978-1982Sumter S.C. Christian Laettner Basketball Duke 1989-1992 AngolaN.Y. John Lucas Basketball Maryland 1973-1976 Durham N.C. DonMcCauley Football North Carolina 1968-1970 Garden City N.Y. EdMoses Swimming Virginia 1998-2000 Burke Va. Bruce Murray SoccerClemson 1984-1987 GermantownMd. Renaldo Nehemiah Indoor/OutdoorTrack Maryland 1978-1980 College Park Md. Arnold Palmer Golf WakeForest 1948-195053-54 Latrobe Pa. Julius Peppers Football NorthCarolina 1999-2001 BaileyN.C. William Perry Football Clemson1981-1984 Aiken S.C. Mark Price Basketball Georgia Tech 1983-1986Enid Okla. Claudio Reyna Soccer Virginia 1991-1993 Springfield N.J.Jim Ritcher Football NC State 1976-1979 Hinckley Ohio LennieRosenbluth Basketball North Carolina 1954-1957 New York N.Y. RalphSampson Basketball Virginia 1980-1983 Harrisonburg Va. CharlesScott Basketball North Carolina 1968-1970 New York N.Y. Dave SimeOutdoor Track Duke 1954-1956 Key Biscayne Fla. Curtis Strange GolfWake Forest 1973-1975 Virginia Beach Va. B.J. Surhoff BaseballNorth Carolina 1983-1985 Rye N.Y. Lawrence Taylor Football NorthCarolina 1977-1980 WilliamsburgVa. David Thompson Basketball NCState 1973-1975 Shelby N.C. Charlie Ward Football Florida State1990-1993 Thomasville Ga. Peter Warrick Football Florida State1996-1999 Bradenton Fla. Chris Weinke Football Florida State1997-2000 St. Paul Minn. Randy White Football Maryland 1972-1974Wilmington Del. Jason Williams Basketball Duke 2000-2002 PlainfieldN.J. James Worthy Basketball North Carolina 1980-1982 Gastonia N.C.

Shane Battier, Duke (1998-2001)

The 2001 consensus National Player of the Year … a unanimous first- team All-America honoree in 2001 … 2001 Verizon Academic All-American of the Year and a first-team Academic All-America selection in 2000 … won three consecutive NABC National Defensive Player of the Year awards from 1999-2001 … the sixth pick overall in the 2001 NBA draft … captain of the 2001 National Championship team.

Jim Beatty, North Carolina (1954-1957)

Dominated the sport in the early 1950s … From 1954-56 won three ACC cross country championships and was named an All-America in 1954 and 1956.

All-American for two miles in 1955 and 1957, and 5,000 meters in 1956 … ACC champion in the mile and two miles in 1955, 1956 and 1957 … First man to break the four-minute mark in the indoor mile … Won the James A. Sullivan award as the nation’s top amateur athlete in 1962, the same year he set world records for the mile, two miles, 1,500 meters and 5,000 meters.

Kris Benson, Clemson (1994-1996)

Most decorated athlete in Clemson history … National Player of the Year in 1996 according to Baseball America and Collegiate Baseball … he also won the Dick Howser Award and the Smith Award … named ACC Athlete of the Year in 1996, only Clemson athlete to win the award … starting pitcher on United States Olympic Team in 1996 … first-team All-ACC in 1996 … 1996 ACC Player of the Year … the number-one pick of the 1996 Major League Draft, the only Clemson athlete in any sport to be the #1 pick … led Clemson to the College World Series in 1995 and 96 … ranked fourth in the nation in wins in 1996 (14) … he was fifth in ERA and fifth in strikeouts/9 innings.

Len Bias, Maryland (1983-1986)

Two-time All-America selection (1985 and 1986) who is Maryland’s second-leading career scorer (2,149) … Twice named the ACC Player of the Year (1985 and 1986) and was the MVP of the 1984 ACC Tournament … Consensus All-America selection as a senior and the No. 2 pick overall in the 1986 NBA Draft, taken by the Boston Celtics … Holds two of the school’s top five single season scoring totals, and ranks 10th in career rebounds (745) at Maryland.

Derrick Brooks, Florida State (1991-1994)

Two-time consensus All-American linebacker for the Seminoles in 1993 and 1994 … led FSU to its first national title in 1993 … named ACC Defensive Player of the Year in 1993 … an Academic All-American who won an NCAA postgraduate scholarship … all-pro in the NFL who was named Humanitarian of the Year.

Ted Brown, NC State (1975-1978)

All-America Honors: 1978 – Consensus 1st Team (Associated Press, UPI, Football Writers, Football Coaches) … named the ACC Freshman of the Year in 1975 and would go on to set the league record for career rushing yards that still stands (4,602 yards) … the only player in ACC history to earn All-ACC honors all four years of his career … when he finished his career, he ranked fourth on the NCAA Division I all-time career rushing chart, trailing only Tony Dorsett, Archie Griffin and Ed Marinaro with 4,602 yards.

Tom Burleson, NC State (1971-1974)

A three-time All-ACC selection and the winner of two Everett Case Awards as the ACC Tournament MVP … A USBWA first-team All-American in 1973 … Teamed with David Thompson to provide a lethal inside-outside combination on the Wolfpack’s 1974 NCAA Championship team … Led the ACC in rebounding in 1972 and ’73 … A member of the 1972 U.S. Olympic basketball team … Ranks among the Wolfpack’s top ten scorers (1,598 points) and rebounders (1,066 rebounds) … Had 38 points and 13 rebounds in the finals of the 1974 ACC Tournament against Maryland … NC State compiled a 73-11 record during his three years on the varsity.

Len Chappell, Wake Forest (1960-1962)

Two-time first-team All-America selection in 1961 and 1962 … the first consensus All-American in Wake Forest basketball history in 1962 when he led the Deacs to their first and only Final Four … named to the 1962 NCAA All-tournament team after helping the Deacons to a third place national finish … named ACC Player of the Year back-to-back years in 1961 and 1962 … became the only player in ACC history to average more than 30 points per game for a season (30.1) in 1962 … a three-time first-team All-ACC performer … third place in Wake Forest history in scoring with 2,165 career points accumulated in only three years … third place in WFU history for rebounds totaling 1,213 … second place in WFU history for free throws (637) … went on to play for 10 years in the NBA … inducted into the WFU Hall of Fame in 1980.

Billy Cunningham, North Carolina (1963-1965)

“The Kangaroo Kid” won three ACC rebounding titles in a row … Averaged 24.8 points and 15.4 rebounds per game … His career scoring average is second-best all-time at UNC … Three-time All-ACC and ACC Player of the Year in 1965 … his 15.4 rebound average is UNC’s best all-time … Had 22 double-doubles in 24 games as a junior and 60 in 69 career games … Member of Basketball Hall of Fame and 50 Greatest NBA Players.

Johnny Dawkins, Duke (1983-1986)

National Player of the Year in 1985-86 … first two-time Consensus All-American in school history … school’s all-time leading scorer and second in ACC history … first player in Duke history to lead team in scoring four straight years … first-team All-ACC junior and senior seasons … 10th pick overall in 1986 NBA draft … current associate head coach at Duke … averaged 19.2 points and 4.0 rebounds per game in his career.

Juan Dixon, Maryland (1999-2002)

Consensus All-America selection in 2002 and the Terps’ career scoring leader (2,269) … Led Maryland to its first national championship and was named the Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA Final Four … averaged 25.8 points in the 2002 NCAA Tournament and scored the most points by a player since 1989 … ACC Player of the Year in 2002 and one of only two Terrapins ever named first-team All-ACC in three consecutive seasons (2000, 2001, 2002) … Had five steals in the NCAA championship game to finish as Maryland’s career leader (333) … second in ACC history in steals and 12th in NCAA history … The only player in ACC and NCAA history with over 2,000 points, 300 steals and 200 3-point field goals.

J.D. Drew, Florida State (1995-1997)

Drew was a consensus First Team All-American in 1997 … Golden Spikes Award winner … The Sporting News Player of the Year … Baseball America Player of the Year … only player in Division 1 history to hit 30 home runs and steal 30 bases … batted an FSU record .455 in 1997, while becoming just the third player in Division 1 college baseball history to record a triple-triple – 100 hits, 100 runs and 100 RBI … drafted in the first round by the St. Louis Cardinals.

Tim Duncan, Wake Forest (1994-1997)

A two-time first-team All-American in 1996 and 1997 … the consensus National Player of the Year in 1997 … became the 10th player in NCAA history to reach the 2,000 point/1,500 rebound plateau … ranks second all-time in NCAA history with 481 blocked shots … the number one overall pick in the 1997 NBA Draft by San Antonio … named MVP of the 1999 NBA Finals after leading the Spurs to a title … Wake Forest retired his #21 jersey.

Warrick Dunn, Florida State (1993-1996)

Had his jersey retired following FSU career that included ’93 national championship … finest running back in FSU history who holds all-time rushing record with 3,959 career yards … ranks seventh all-time in the ACC in career rushing yardage … the only Seminole to gain over 1,000 yards in three consecutive seasons … three-time All-ACC selection.

David Duval, Georgia Tech (1990-1993)

One of only four players in NCAA history to earn first-team All-America honors four times (1990-93) … Consensus National Player of the Year in 1993, winning the Fred Haskins, Jack Nicklaus and Dave Williams Player of the Year Awards…. A two-time ACC Champion (1991 & 93) and a four-time All-ACC selection … His eight career wins are tied for the all-time lead in school history and he holds Tech’s records for career top-10 (13) and top-20 (14) finishes … The 2001 British Open Champion and a two-time President’s (1998 & 2000) and Ryder Cup (1999 & 2001) team member as a professional.

Phil Ford, North Carolina (1975-1978)

One of college basketball’s greatest point guards … Perfected the “Four Corners” offense … UNC’s all-time leading scorer with 2,290 points and third in assists with 753 … Averaged 18.6 points and 6.1 assists per contest … Averaged 23.6 points per game in the ACC Tournament during his four-year career … Was a member of the 1976 U.S. Olympic team which won the gold medal in Montreal … Wooden Award winner and three-time All-American (two-time consensus) … ACC Player of the Year … Three-time first-team All-ACC and two-time ACC Athlete of the Year … MVP of ACC Tournament as a freshman … One of five male athletes to win ACC Athlete of the Year honors twice.

Roman Gabriel, NC State (1959-1961)

All-America Honors: 1960 – Football Writers (1st); Football News (1st); Football Coaches (2nd); UPI (2nd); NEA (2nd) 1961 – Football Writers (1st); Football news (1st); Football Coaches (1st); Time Magazine (1st); UPI (2nd); NEA (2nd) … began his collegiate career as a star in the defensive secondary as well as being the Wolfpack signal caller … tabbed as the National Sophomore Back of the Year by The Saturday Evening Post prior to his sophomore campaign … led the NCAA in completion percentage with a school record .604 in 1959 … threw for a then-school record 2,961 yards passing for his career, including 19 touchdowns … ranked eighth nationally in total offense in 1960 and 14th during his senior campaign … was named the ACC Player of the Year in 1960 and 1961 and was a 1960 Academic All-American … went on to a spectacular professional career, earning three trips to the Pro Bowl and being named the NFL’s MVP in 1969 … named to the ACC’s Silver Anniversary team in 1978.

Nomar Garciaparra, Georgia Tech (1992-1994)

Consensus first-team all-America (1993, 94) … First-team all-ACC (1993, 94) … First-team academic all-America (1993, 94) …First round draft pick (1994) of the Boston Red Sox … Two-time American League Batting Champion with the Boston Red Sox.

Dickie Hemric, Wake Forest (1952-1955)

He remains Wake Forest’s and the ACC’s all-time leading scorer with 2,587 career points and leading rebounder with 1,802 career boards … also leads the Deacons in all-time field goal attempts (1,740), free throws (905) and free throw attempts (1,359) … won back-to-back conference Player of the Year awards in the ACC’s first two years of existence … one of the elite class of players in NCAA history to score more than 2,000 points and grab over 1,000 rebounds … his 1,802 rebounds is the 15th-highest in NCAA history and his four-year totals for free throws and free throw attempts are still national records … after his career as a Demon Deacon, he was drafted by the Boston Celtics where he played for two seasons … his jersey #24 was the first to be retired by Wake Forest and was inducted into the WFU Hall of Fame in 1974.

Grant Hill, Duke (1991-1994)

Street & Smith’s National Player of the Year in 1994 … National Defensive Player of the Year in 1993 … consensus first-team All-American and ACC Player of the Year as a senior … graduated as first player in ACC history to have over 1,900 points, 700 rebounds, 400 assists, 200 steals and 100 blocked shots … the number three pick overall in the 1994 NBA draft.

Torry Holt, NC State (1995-1998)

All-America Honors: 1998 – Consensus 1st Team ( Associated Press, The Sporting News, AFCA, Football Writers, Football News) … rewrote the NC State and ACC record books during his senior campaign … set the league mark for career receiving yards (3,379) and set Wolfpack career bests for receptions (191), touchdown receptions (31) and 100-yard receiving games (14) … was named the ACC Player of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year for 1998 and was a two-time all-conference choice … Holt was a first round draft pick of the St. Louis Rams, and won a Super Bowl his rookie season.

T.J. Jaworsky, North Carolina (1993-1995)

Three-time NCAA champion (1993, 94 & 95) at 134 pounds … Most Outstanding Wrestler of the NCAA Tournament in 1995 … All-American in 1993, 94 & 95 … ACC Champion in 1993, 94 & 95 … ACC Wrestler of the Year in 1995 … Career record of 110-5-0 (.957).

Michael Jordan, North Carolina (1982-1984)

Arguably the best player to ever play the game … Consensus National Player of the Year, ACC Player of the Year and ACC Athlete of the Year in 1984 … Sporting News National Player of the Year in 1983 … All-American in 1983 and 1984 … Hit the game-winning shot in 1982 NCAA championship game … Averaged 17.7 points and 5.0 rebounds per game … Played for U.S. Olympic gold medal-winning teams in 1984 and 1992 … Led Carolina to an 88-13 record.

Terry Kinard, Clemson (1978-1982)

First and still the only Clemson player to be unanimous All-America pick. (1982) … inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2001 … first two-time Clemson All-American defensive back (1981 and 1982) … a first-team AP All-American two years in a row, the only Clemson player to do that … CBS National Defensive Player-of-the-Year for the 1982 season, only Tiger to win that award … chosen to the USA Today All-College Football Team in the 1980’s … member of Sports Illustrated’s All-Time college football team … named Clemson’s greatest player of the 20th Century by CNNSI.com … all-time Clemson leader in interceptions with 17, a mark that tied the 20-year-old ACC record.

Christian Laettner, Duke (1989-1992)

National Player of the Year recipient in 1992 … ACC Player of the Year and Athlete of the Year as a senior … ACC Tournament MVP as a senior and Final Four MVP as a junior … played on the USA “Dream Team” that captured the gold medal at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, Spain … third player taken in the 1992 NBA draft.

John Lucas, Maryland (1973-1976)

All-America selection in 1974-1976 and one of two players in Maryland history (Lucas and Juan Dixon) to be named All-ACC first-team three times (1974-76) … Ranks fifth all-time at Maryland with 2,015 career points and fourth in assists with 514 … As a team, the Terps finished ranked No. 8 (1973), No. 4 (1974) and No. 5 (1976) with Lucas at the point … Taken as the No. 1 overall pick in the 1976 NBA draft, playing 14 seasons … currently serving in his third NBA head coaching stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers … Also earned All-America honors in tennis and was a two-time ACC singles champion.

Don McCauley, North Carolina (1968-1970)

Elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2001 … shattered the Carolina and the ACC record books with a dazzling senior season in 1970, rushing for 1,720 yards and scoring 21 touchdowns … his 1,720 yards was an all-time collegiate high at the time, breaking O.J. Simpson’s NCAA record … McCauley led the nation in all-purpose running and total points that season … his 120 points in 1970 is still an ACC single-season record … twice the ACC Player of the Year and still ranks fifth in career rushing at UNC … had a lengthy professional career with the Baltimore Colts.

Ed Moses, Virginia (1998-2000)

2000 Olympian … Gold medalist and world record holder in 400 medley relay and silver medalist in the 100 breaststroke … Held all three breaststroke short course world records (50, 100 and 200) at the same time … Holds the long course world record in the 50-meter breast (27.39) … Ranked #1 in the world in 50 and 200 breast and second in 100 breast in 2001 … 2000 NCAA champion in 100 and 200-meter breast with world record times of 57.66 and 2:06.40, respectively … 2000 NCAA Swimmer of the Championship … Six-time All-American (in two years) … Two-time first-team All-American in the 100 and 200 breast … Gold medalist at 1999 Pan America Games (100 breast) … Three-time ACC champion (100 breast – 2000, 200 breast – 1999, 400 medley relay – 2000) … 2000 ACC Swimmer of the Year … 1999 ACC Rookie of the Year … ACC and Virginia school record holder in the 100 (52.60) and 200 breast (1:53.99) and 400 medley relay (3:11.60) … UVa’s 1999-2000 Outstanding Male Athlete of the Year.

Bruce Murray, Clemson (1984-1987)

1987 Hermann Award Winner, ISAA National Player-of-the-Year, and Missouri Athletic Club Collegiate Soccer Player of the Year Runner-up … First-team All-American sophomore and senior seasons … led ACC in goals, points, and second in assists in 1987 … winning goal in three NCAA tournament games for the Tigers in 1987 … named to All-ACC first team in 1987 and All-ACC tournament team … first player in Clemson history in 40-40 Club (over 40 goals and 40 assists in a career) … sixth in school history in total points with 142 and seventh in total goals with 48 … Soccer America MVP in 1985 and 1987 … played in 84 games in his career … Murray had either a goal or an assist in 56 games … first-team All-ACC in 1985 and 87 … 1987 ACC All-Tournament Team, named National Rookie-of-the-Year in 1984 by Soccer America, set a Clemson single season assist record with 15 … starting striker on 1990 US National Team…All-time leading scorer for U.S. national team when he retired from that team.

Renaldo Nehemiah, Maryland (1978-1980)

Inducted into the USA Track and Field Hall of Fame in 1997 … Two-time NCAA Champion in the 60-yard high hurdles (1978 and 1979) … Holds the NCAA record in the 60-yard high hurdles (6.90) set in 1979 … Five-time All-American in indoor and outdoor track … All-American in the 440-yard relay (1978) … ACC Champion in the 60-yard high hurdles in 1978 and 1979, and in the 60-yard dash in 1979 … Holds three Maryland records in the 100 meters with a time of 10.18 (1978), 200 meters at 20.36 (1979) and the 110-meter high hurdles at 12.91 (1979).

Inducted into the USA Track and Field Hall of Fame in 1997 … Became first man ever to break 13 seconds in the 110 high hurdles, running it in 12.91 … NCAA Champion in the 110 hurdles (1979) … Five-time All-American in indoor and outdoor track … Won six ACC Championships, named ACC Outdoor Meet Outstanding Performer in 1979 … Holds the ACC record in the 110-meter hurdles (13.00) set in 1979 … Holds three Maryland records in the 100 meters with a time of 10.18 (1978), 200 meters at 20.36 (1979) and the 110-meter high hurdles at 12.91 (1979).

Arnold Palmer, Wake Forest (1948-1950, 1953-1954)

First-ever ACC Champion (1954) … two-time NCAA champion (1949, ’50) … 1954 U.S. Amateur Champion … 61 PGA Tour victories and 12 Senior Tour titles … won seven majors: U.S. Open, British Open (twice) and The Masters (four times) … seven Ryder Cup teams, captaining 1963 championship team … 1960’s Athlete of the Decade … Sports Illustrated’s 1960 Sportsman of the Year … PGA Tour’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 1998.

Julius Peppers, North Carolina (1999-2001)

A unanimous All-America selection in 2001 … won the 2001 Lombardi Award as the nation’s top lineman … also won the Chuck Bednarik Award as the nation’s top overall defensive player … earned All-America honors in 2000 and was a two-time first-team All-ACC selection … ranks second at UNC and sixth in the ACC in career sacks, despite playing just three seasons … led the nation with 15 sacks as a junior … one of the top two-sport athletes in ACC history, Peppers was a forward on UNC’s basketball team … helped Carolina advance to the 2000 Final Four and earn a share of the 2001 ACC regular-season title.

William Perry, Clemson (1981-1984)

First three-time All-American in Clemson football history (1982-83-84) … consensus All-American in 1983 … starter on Clemson’s 1981 National Championship team … first among Division I players in tackles for loss as a senior with 2.45 per game … only fourth defensive player to be named All-ACC player for three years … first Clemson player to be a three-time selection to the All-ACC team … ACC MVP in 1984 … all-time ACC leader in tackles for loss with 60 at the end of his career … first round draft choice of the Chicago Bears.

Mark Price, Georgia Tech (1983-1986)

Three-time All-American, including first-team honors in 1985 … Four-time All-ACC choice, including first-team honors in 1984-1986 … Finalist for Wooden and Naismith awards in 1986 … ACC Player of the Year in 1985 and ACC Rookie of the Year in 1983 … First freshman to lead the ACC in scoring (20.3 in 1983) … Won the Everett Case Award in 1985 in leading Tech to its first ACC Championship … ACC All-tournament in 1984-1986 … Scored 2,193 points in his career to rank third in Tech history, 14th in ACC history … Jersey No. 25 retired March 2, 1986 … Career averages: 17.4 points, 4.1 assists … Four-time NBA all-star who played 12 seasons in the league.

Claudio Reyna, Virginia (1991-1993)

Selected as the Missouri Athletic Club National Player of the Year in both 1992 and 1993 … the only player to ever win the MAC award twice … received the Hermann Trophy in 1993 … named the Soccer America Player of the Year in 1992 and 93 … Soccer News Player of the Year in 1993 … an NSCAA first-team All-American in 1991, 92 and 93 … earned First-team All-ACC honors in 1991, 92 and 93 … the 1991 ACC Rookie of the Year … Offensive MVP of the NCAA Tournament in 1991 and 92 … ACC Tournament MVP in 1991 … named All-ACC Tournament in 1993.

Jim Ritcher, NC State (1976-1979)

All-America Honors: 1978 – Consensus 1st Team (Associated Press, UPI, Football Writers, Football Coaches) 1979 – Consensus 1st Team (Associated Press, UPI, Football Writers, Football Coaches)… a 6-3, 245-pounder from Hinckley, Ohio…Jim Ritcher was the 1979 recipient of the Outland Trophy, which is presented annually to the nation’s premier lineman … he won the ACC’s Jacobs Blocking Trophy twice and went on to a successful NFL career.

Lennie Rosenbluth, North Carolina (1954-1957)

1957 National Player of the Year … Was the scoring leader of UNC’s undefeated 1957 national champions … Holds UNC career (26.9) and season (28.0) scoring average records … Three-time All-ACC selection … ACC Player and Athlete of the Year in 1957 … MVP of 1957 ACC Tournament, NCAA Regional and Final Four … Consensus first-team All-American in 1957 … Averaged a double-double for his career (26.9 points and 10.4 rebounds) … Chosen by NCAA panel to All-1950s Team.

Ralph Sampson, Virginia (1980-1983)

Led the Cavaliers to an overall record of 112-23 during his career … three-time National and ACC Player of the Year … four-time first-team All-America and three-time first-team All-ACC selection … received three consecutive Rupp trophies, two consecutive Eastman Awards and two John R. Wooden Awards … ACC Rookie of the Year in 1980 … led the ACC in rebounding three times … played in three NCAA Tournaments and one NIT during his UVa career … helped lead the Cavaliers to the 1980 NIT Championship and the 1981 NCAA Final Four … Most Valuable Player of the 1980 NIT … served as team captain … holds UVa career records for rebounds (1,511), field goals made (899) and blocked shots (462), and ranks fourth on Virginia’s career scoring list (2,228) … selected by the Houston Rockets as the NBA’s number one draft choice in 1983 and went on to earn NBA Rookie of the Year honors.

Charles Scott, North Carolina (1968-1970)

One of the first black athletes to earn an athletic scholarship at a Southern university … Led UNC to ACC championships and Final Fours in 1968 and 1969 … Averaged 22.1 points and 7.1 rebounds per game in his career … UNC’s fifth-leading all-time scorer … Three-time All-ACC … First-team All-American in 1969 and 1970 … Co-ACC Athlete of the Year in 1970 … Averaged 27.1 points as a senior and was an Academic All-American that year … Scored 40 points in the 1969 ACC Tournament finals against Duke … Named by NCAA Panel to All-1960s Team … 1968 Olympian.

Dave Sime, Duke (1954-1956)

Set a total of seven world records in track and field … won the silver medal at the 1960 Olympics in the 100-meters … 1956 ACC Athlete of the Year … five-time ACC Champion … holds Duke records in the 100 and 200-meters.

Curtis Strange, Wake Forest (1973-1975)

1974 NCAA Champion … led WFU to two National Championships (1974, ’75) and three ACC crowns (1974-76) … won 1975 ACC title … three-time first-team All-American … member of four Walker Cup teams … won back-to-back U.S. Opens (1988, ’89) … became first PGA Tour player to surpass $1 million mark (1988) … has 17 career PGA Tour victories … 2001 Ryder Cup team captain.

B.J. Surhoff, North Carolina (1983-1985)

Named first-team All-ACC three times … He was a three-time All-America selection … in 1985 Surhoff was named ACC Athlete of the Year, National Player of the Year, and was the No. 1 pick in the Major League Baseball Draft … Surhoff is Carolina’s career leader in batting average and is one of only two former Tar Heels to have his jersey retired.

Lawrence Taylor, North Carolina (1977-1980)

An outside linebacker who earned consensus All-America and the ACC Player of the Year honors in 1980 … established a Carolina single-season record with 16 sacks in 1980 … Carolina went 11-1 and won the ACC title in 1980 … selected as the No. 2 overall player in the NFL Draft and played 13 seasons with the New York Giants … elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

David Thompson, NC State (1973-1975)

A three-time unanimous, consensus first-team All-American … Named the AP National Player of the Year in 1974 and 1975 … UPI Player of the Year, Dunlop Player of the Year, Naismith Award winner, Kodak Award winner in 1975 … ACC Player of the Year in 1973, 1974 and 1975 … Earned MVP honors in 1973 World University Games … ACC all-time scoring leader following his career … Named to All-tournament team in every tournament he ever played in … Was the first pick in the 1975 NBA draft.

Charlie Ward, Florida State (1990-1993)

The most decorated player in the history of college football…the first Heisman Trophy winner in the ACC when he won the award in 1993…literally, won every individual award that he qualified for as a senior…22-2 as a starter at quarterback in FSU’s first two years in the ACC.

Peter Warrick, Florida State (1996-1999)

Two-time consensus All-American (1998 and 99) and All-ACC who had most touchdown receptions (32) in FSU history…ACC’s all-time receiving yardage leader with 3,517…had a catch in 41 straight games…MVP of the national title game in the 1999 Sugar Bowl with a bowl record three touchdowns.

Chris Weinke, Florida State (1997-2000)

Second ACC player in history to win the Heisman Trophy…first three-year starter in FSU history at quarterback…led the nation with 4,167 passing yards as a senior…32-3 as the starter including wire-to-wire No. 1 run in 1999…threw for more yards (9,839) than any player in ACC history…won Davey O’Brien and Johnny Unitas trophies.

Randy White, Maryland (1972-1974)

Player whose combination of strength and quickness made him a prototypical defensive lineman in his day … Outland and Lombardi Trophy winner in 1974 … ACC Player of the Year in ’74 … AP All-American in 1973 and a consensus pick in ’74 … inductee of the National College and National Football League Halls of Fame … career tackle for loss leader at Maryland with 122 … perennial All-Pro with the Dallas Cowboys (1975-88) and co-MVP of Super Bowl XII.

Jason Williams, Duke (2000-2002)

Consensus National Player of the Year for the 2001-02 season … two-time NABC National Player of the Year and first repeat winner of a National Player of the Year Award since 1983 … two-time consensus first-team All-American … first-team All-ACC as a sophomore and junior … career averages include 19.3 points per game, 3.7 rebounds per game, 6.0 assists per game and 2.2 steals per game.

James Worthy, North Carolina (1980-1982)

National Player of the Year in 1982 and MVP of the 1982 NCAA Tournament as he led the Tar Heels to the title … Scored 28 points against Georgetown in the national finals … One of seven UNC players to have his jersey number retired … Unanimous first-team All-American in 1982 … ACC Athlete of the Year and first-team All-ACC in 1982 … Averaged 12.5, 14.2 and 15.6 points per game in his three seasons … Number one overall selection in 1982 NBA Draft … Finalist last year for the Basketball Hall of Fame and one of the NBA’s 50 Greatest Players … Chosen by NCAA panel to All-1980s Team.