Colorado men’s basketball all-time roster: Honorable mentions
We recently released our picks for the best players to ever suit up for the Colorado Buffaloes men’s basketball program. The players and coaches named to the starters and bench units were the best of the best, their names dotted most every page of the record book for the school.
After researching over 120 years of basketball history and countless names, I can say without a doubt that it’s very hard to limit that history to 13 names. Who were the near misses? Which players just missed the cut?
Now, we present the Buffs who needed to have their names mentioned alongside CU’s all-time greats. Here are our honorable mention picks:
Guard Cory Higgins, 2007-11
Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
A threat to score from anywhere on the court, Cory Higgins lit up the scoreboard at CU. He ended his career with 2,001 points, good enough to tie the program record.
Guard Alec Burks, 2009-11
Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Another pure scorer, Alec Burks was an immediate contributor as soon as he stepped on campus. Burks holds the program record for most points scored by a freshman (512) and a sophomore (779).
Guard Richard Roby, 2004-07
Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports Copyright (c) 2007 Bruce Thorson
Richard Roby ended his career as the all-time scoring leader in CU history, racking up 2,001 points, and he still co-holds the record with fellow honorable mention member Cory Higgins. Roby led the team in scoring every year he was at CU, joining Donnie Boyce as the only player to accomplish the feat.
Guard Askia Booker, 2011-15
Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Askia Booker was lightning in a bottle for the Buffaloes, playing in 134 career games and scoring more than 1,700 career points. Booker is best known for his last-second half-court heave to down the Kansas Jayhawks in Boulder.
Forward Stéphane Pelle, 1999-2003
(Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
Stéphane Pelle was a dynamic power forward at the University of Colorado, averaging a near double-double with 11.1 points and 8.6 rebounds a game for his career.
Forward Scott Wedman, 1971-74
Courtesy of University of Colorado Athletics
A two-time All-Big-Eight member, Scott Wedman was a sweet-shooting forward who could light it up and clean the glass with the best of them. Wedman counts as one of the highest draft picks to ever come out of CU and was the first Buffalo to be a part of an NBA title run, winning the title in 1984 and 1986 as a member of the Boston Celtics.
Forward Jack Harvey, 1937-40
Courtesy of the University of Colorado Athletics
Colorado’s first star player, Jack Harvey was a two-time All-American playing for Frosty Cox. Harvey lead the 1940 squad that captured the NIT championship as they defeated DePaul University.
Forward Shaun Vandiver, 1988-91
Courtesy of the University of Colorado Athletics
A post menace at Colorado, Shaun Vandiver still holds the career record for most double-doubles and still ranks in the top five for career points and rebounds.
