Chris Paul, Wake Forest: 2004, 2005
Chris Paul dominated in the NCAA Tournament both years he was at Wake Forest. In 2004, he put up 22 points and seven assists against Virginia Commonwealth before dropping 29 points on 10-for-14 shooting with eight rebounds, six assists, three steals and two blocks against Manhattan. St. Joseph’s limited him to 12 points in the Sweet Sixteen, ending the Demon Deacons’ 2004 run.
The next year, Paul posted 20 points, five assists and six rebounds in 37 minutes against No. 15 seed Chattanooga. In the Round of 32, second-seeded Wake Forest and No. 7 seed West Virginia went to double overtime as Paul poured in 22 points with nine assists and six rebounds in 44 minutes of play. Nevertheless, the Deacons fell, and Paul declared for the NBA draft.
He was selected No. 4 overall by the New Orleans Hornets and earned Rookie of the Year honors in the 2005-06 season.