Where Are The Last Twenty NCAA Season Scoring Leaders?

Joel Piton
6 hours ago
14 min read

by Joel Piton

Sportz Nation - 3/27/2026

What happens to someone who peaks at the collegiate level? Every college basketball season produces a scoring king—a player who can’t be stopped, filling it up night after night and etching their name at the top of the NCAA leaderboard. But do each of these guys go on to have successful pro careers? For some players, college is a springboard to NBA stardom. For others, the journey takes an unexpected turn across the globe, to overseas leagues, or even an entirely different career. From household names to forgotten buckets-getters, let's take a look at the last twenty NCAA scoring leaders, see where their basketball paths have taken them, how their careers ultimately unfolded, and what they’re up to today.

Adam Morrison — Gonzaga (2006)

Height: 6'8"

Position: SF

2005-06 Stats: 28.1 PPG · 5.5 RPG · 1.7 APG · 49.6% FG

One of the most polarizing figures in college basketball history, Adam Morrison's story is far from a conventional one. At Gonzaga, Morrison was a cultural phenomenon. He was the co-National Player of the Year in 2006 (sharing it with J.J. Redick) and was an unstoppable scorer. An elite "pure scorer" with a high release point that made his jumper nearly unblockable, Morrison was a standout midrange shooter with a crafty dribble pull up. His elite shooting touch, high basketball IQ, clutchness, and 1-on-1 shot creation made him an easy third overall pick for the Bobcats in 2006. After an okay rookie season, ACL tear in his sophomore campaign basically ended his career before it really even began. Morrison never really looked like himself after that, and couldn't regain the lateral quickness that made him so deadly. With just 161 career games played, Morrison's NBA journey is a tough one to look back on.

Reggie Williams — VMI (2007-2008)

Height: 6'6"

Position: SF

2007-08 Stats: 27.8 PPG · 9.7 RPG · 3.9 APG · 52.8% FG

Considered the most prolific scorer in SoCon Division history, Reggie Williams is one of only a handful of players to lead the nation in scoring in back to back years, famously beating out superstar Kevin Durant for the crown in 2007. Carving out a dependable 7 year NBA carer, Willams was an undersized small forward for numerous teams, some rebuilding and some struggling. A streaky good scorer, Williams shocked the league in 2010 after getting picked up by the Golden State Warriors, going off for 15 points a night as an undrafted standout. Unfortunately, Williams didn't exactly capitalize on that momentum after his rookie year and was mostly a late game bench player for the rest of his career. Williams capped off his career in 2020 after 12 years of competitive playing in domestic leagues.

Stephen Curry — Davidson (2009)

Height: 6'3"

Position: PG

2008-09 Stats: 28.6 PPG · 4.4 RPG · 5.6 APG · 45.4% FG

Does this man need any introduction? Solidified as the greatest player in his programs history, Stephen Curry turned a mid major university into must see TV virtually overnight with his play. Putting up 28 and 5 a night, Curry led this squad to a Southern Conference title and then went on SoCon player of the year and Consensus first-team All-American honors. Drafted 7th overall by the Warriors in 2009 and remaining with the team every since, Curry boasts multiple MVPS, multiple championships, multiple scoring titles, and numerous three point shooting records as quite possibly the greatest point guard to ever do it.

Aubrey Coleman — Houston (2010)

Height: 6'3"

Position: PG

2009-10 Stats: 25.6 PPG · 7.4 RPG · 2.6 APG · 42.5% FG

Houston has been phenomenal this year, but years ago, the Cougars were held together by a hometown hero by the name of Aubrey Coleman. Aubrey Coleman was the flagship product and inspiration for players who wanted to make the leap from Junior College to the NBA and dominate. Coleman managed to do this as a 6'2 undersized shooting guard to say the least. Coleman edged out numerous stars as the best scorer in the NCAA, including the likes of John Wall, James Anderson and Avery Bradley. A sniper on the offensive end, Coleman had range for days, but his hustle and energy are what stood out to fans most, boasting a ridiculous 7 rebounds a night against stellar height differentials. Coleman drew double-teams nonstop but it didn't matter, there was no stopping him. Following a nine year career of G-League stints and overseas play, he called it quits in 2019.

Jimmer Fredette — BYU (2011)

Height: 6'2"

Position: PG

2010-11 Stats: 28.9 PPG · 3.4 RPG · 4.3 APG · 45.2% FG

The most legendary figure in BYU basketball history, Jimmer Fredette created the "Jimmermania" national phenomena with his ridiculous shot making. With unlimited range, Fredette was the pioneer of the "logo three" at the collegiate level way before it became a real thing, and despite not being an insane athlete, Fredette managed to be an elite shot creator with a deadly crossover an ended up developing into an insanely talented scorer on all fronts. His 52-point performance against New Mexico in 2011 remains a school record. Fredette had an okay NBA career but I think his size as well as his age coming into the league stunted his development. He finished his carer with averages of just 6 points per game, and despite stellar play in the CBA, Fredette called his basketball career quits without ever really taking off after his college days.

Reggie Hamilton — Oakland (2012)

Height: 5'11"

Position: PG

2011-12 Stats: 26.2 PPG · 3.8 RPG · 5.1 APG · 44.6% FG

You may not have heard of Reggie Hamilton if you were born after year 2000, but from 2010-2012, Hamilton became the first player in Summit League history to lead the entire NCAA in scoring despite standing just under 60" tall. Hamilton was a mad bomber from three and shot 42% from long range, and boy was he a nightmare to guard 1v1. This kid could blow by anyone with ease and was elite at drawing contact, leading the nation in free throws made (262) his senior year. However, Hamilton was seen as a high-floor, low ceiling prospect and was already over 23 years old on draft night. After 6 years of stints in the D-League, Japan, Canada and the Dominican Republic, Hamilton called his career quits in 2018.

Erick Green — Virginia Tech (2013)

Height: 6'3"

Position: PG

2012-13 Stats: 25.0 PPG · 3.5 RPG · 4.0 APG · 47.5% FG

A crafty, athletic guard with smooth handles and a reliable jumper, Erick Green turned heads as the captain of the Virginia Tech Hokies in 2012. Green became the first player from the ACC to lead the nation in scoring since 1957, and finished his career 10th all time in the program's history for points. Green was a rare high-volume scorer who was deadly but also efficient, shooting 48.2% from the field and 38.9% from three as the focal point of the whole squad. It should come as no surprise that this kid got picked up in the 2013 NBA draft, but rather than ride the bench as a young rookie, he opted to player overseas instead, a move that might have stinted his potential as an NBA player. Green signed with the Denver Nuggets the following season but averaged just three points a game on 37%. His NBA career faded quickly but Green has put together a phenomenal overseas campaign, including a Montenegrin League title in 2023.

Doug McDermott — Creighton (2014)

Height: 6'6"

Position: SF

2013-14 Stats: 26.7 PPG · 7.0 RPG · 1.6 APG · 52.6% FG

A monster at Creighton, Doug McDermott is the premier example of a player who adapts and changes his role at the NBA level. A low-volume scorer throughout his 12 year career, McDermott was the exact opposite with the BlueJays. For context, he finished his career with 3,150 points, which at the time was 5th in NCAA Division I history (passing Larry Bird). He's also only one of three players in history to score 3,000 points and 1,000 rebounds at the collegiate level. McDermott was a three level scorer easily, but his three ball is what made him so deadly and is what has kept him in the NBA for this long. He’s still hitting the long ball at an elite clip to this day, currently sitting at 40.2% from deep for the season. Now an NBA veteran, McDermott has provided floor spacing and leadership to multiple playoff caliber teams.

Tyler Harvey — Eastern Washington (2015)

Height: 6'4"

Position: PG

2014-15 Stats: 23.1 PPG · 3.6 RPG · 2.6 APG · 47.0% FG

Tyler Harvey was the quintessential "microwave scorer" from the mid-2010s that no one really gives enough love. Harvey beat out stars like D'Angelo Russell, Buddy Hield and Frank Kaminsky for that top scoring spot, and how he did is quite possibly even more impressive. A left-handed sniper who could hit from the logo, Harvey needed a defender glued to him at all times. The tougher the shot, the more it seemed to go in and he shot nearly 50% from the field throughout his last two seasons. But despite the field goal efficiency, Harvey's defense is what really sticks out to me. He had the lateral quickness, size and wingspan to contest smaller guards and led the division in steals. Harvey was picked up in the second round in 2015, but never managed to slip onto an NBA team. He's been balling out for the Illawarra Hawks since 2020, and clinched all NBL First Team in 2025 as the best point guard in the league.

James Daniel III — Howard (2016)

Height: 5'11"

Position: PG

2015-16 Stats: 27.1 PPG · 2.2 RPG · 2.8 APG · 38.8% FG

Before Trae Young or Markelle Fultz and many other high scoring undersized guards came James Daniel III, considered the HBCU king and a mid-major scoring machine. His junior season at Howard is one of the ultimate "green light" campaigns in college basketball history. Daniel led the nation with 27.1 PPG and took home the MEAC Player of the Year award. And how he did it is even more absurd. This kid ended up becoming the collegiate version of James Harden. A master at drawing fouls, in the 2015-16 season, he led the entire country in free-throw attempts (331), getting to the line an absurd 11 times per game and hitting them at an 84% clip. However, the rest of his basketball journey is anything but conventional. After missing most of his senior year with an ankle injury, he grad-transferred to Tennessee in 2017. He averaged just 5 points on 36% and called his basketball career quits that same year.

Marcus Keene — Central Michigan (2017)

Height: 5'9"

Position: PG

2016-17 Stats: 30.0 PPG · 4.5 RPG · 4.9 APG · 44.7% FG

Marcus Keene’s 2016–17 season was a supernova. He became a national obsession by becoming the first player in 20 years to average over 30 points per game. With 30 even, Keene led the nation in total points (959) and three-pointers made (125). The kid recorded seven 40-point games in a single season, the most by any player in the 2010s era. Keene was a pure-bucket getter. Don't be fooled by his stature. Despite his height, he was incredibly stocky and had the strength to finish through contact or pull up from 30 feet. Keene never got his shot at the NBA level and you have to think size is the main factor here. On paper, someone putting up these numbers should have scouts knocking down their door. However, he's made the most of his playing career, touching down in multiple countries, including France, where he currently sits top-5 in the French league in both scoring (17.0 PPG) and assists (6.0 APG).

Trae Young — Oklahoma (2018)

Height: 6'1"

Position: PG

2017-18 Stats: 27.4 PPG · 3.9 RPG · 8.7 APG · 42.3% FG

Trae Young didn’t just have a green light at Oklahoma; he had the entire intersection. His lone college season is one of the most statistically overwhelming freshman campaigns in NCAA history. In his lone 2017–18 freshman season, Young became the first player in NCAA Division I history to lead the nation in both scoring (27.4 PPG) and assists (8.7 APG). He also tied the NCAA single-game record for assists (22) and had four separate 40-point games. A 6'1" sniper with limitless range, Young drew eager comparisons to Stephen Curry for obvious reasons. And then 2018 came. Drafted 5th overall by the Mavericks, he was famously swapped for Luka Doncic and sent to the Atlanta Hawks. Fast-forward to 2026, and funnily enough, that trade didn't really matter much in hindsight. Young is a multiple time All-Star, a multiple time assist leader, and a reminder that sometimes what you see in college is exactly what you get.

Chris Clemons — Campbell (2019)

Height: 5'9"

Position: PG

2018-19 Stats: 30.1 PPG · 5.1 RPG · 2.8 APG · 44.8% FG

Chris Clemons is college basketball royalty. He finished his career with 3,225 points, which made him the 3rd all-time leading scorer in NCAA Division I history at the time of his graduation. Clemon's scoring streak became a hype storyline throughout the 2018-19 NCAA season and put Campbell basketball on the map. What for? He tied the legendary Lionel Simmons for the NCAA record of consecutive games scoring in double figures (115 games). Clemons was 5'9" but was simultaneously built like a running back (similar to Anthony Edwards), and could shock the crowd with a sick flush, boasting a 44 inch vertical. Despite his stature, his explosive athleticism earned him a spot with the Houston Rockets in 2019–20, where he played 33 games as a rookie (averaging 4.9 PPG). Unfortunately, a torn Achilles prior to his second season derailed his NBA trajectory. Where is he today? Balling out in Germany and having a great month.

Markus Howard — Marquette (2020)

Height: 5'10"

Position: SG

2019-20 Stats: 27.8 PPG · 3.5 RPG · 3.3 APG · 42.2% FG

Markus Howard is the greatest scorer in Marquette and Big East history. He didn't just score; he demoralized defenses with a shooting range that extended almost to half-court. And for even more context, he did it all at 5'9" in a conference full of 6'8" giants. Howard finished as the Big East’s all-time leading scorer (1,587 league points) and Marquette’s leader (2,761 career points), passing up the likes of Dwyane Wade, Doc Rivers, Maurice Lucas and more. He's also the only major university player to score 50 points in three different seasons. This kid was a godsend to Marquette's program and made them fun to watch again for the first time in many years. An elite off-ball scorer, if this guy shoots coming off of a screen, the job is done. Following a brief, two year stint in Denver, Howard has playing in Spain and secured the Spanish Cup earlier this year.

Max Abmas — Oral Roberts (2021)

Height: 6'0"

Position: PG

2020-21 Stats: 24.5 PPG · 3.2 RPG · 3.8 APG · 47.7% FG

One of 12 players in NCAA Division I college men's basketball history to score more than 3,000 career points, Max Abmas at both Oral Roberts and Texas was unguardable, and he should have gotten an NBA roster spot at some point in my opinion. Abmas is just 24 years old, and theres still time, and I say give this kid a chance. Abmas isn't the most explosive vertical athlete, but his sneaky quick handles and first step made him a tough, shifty cover. At Oral Roberts, he was a high level decision maker, a master in the pick and roll, and an ice-cold clutch shot maker. However, his lateral quickness, size and inability to guard larger players attributed to the scouts lack of faith. Still, Abmas is playing well in the G-League and could be just one inch away from a call up.

Peter Kiss — Bryant (2022)

Height: 6'5"

Position: SG

2021-22 Stats: 25.2 PPG · 5.8 RPG · 3.2 APG · 45.6% FG

Peter Kiss is a player I believed with full certainty would find minutes at the NBA level, but it just hasn't happened yet. Why? I couldn't tell you. Kiss's senior season with the Bulldog was ridiculous, leading them to a 22-10 record and an NEC title. Watching this kid play felt like a privilege at times. There were sequences where it seemed like he couldn't miss even if he tried. One of the most electric, and polarizing scorers in recent NCAA history, Kiss was en elite shot creator who could act as a sniper or a rim runner, and his villain persona just made him even more fun to watch. The guy would make faces and do push-ups in the middle of crunch time. Following stints in Mexico, and Bulgaria, Kiss is stationed out in Romania making the most of his basketball career, and I think it's safe to say we'd like to see him get a fair shot against NBA competition here in the states.

Antoine Davis — Detroit Mercy (2023)

Height: 6'1"

Position: PG

2022-23 Stats: 28.2 PPG · 3.0 RPG · 3.6 APG · 41.4% FG

One of the greatest bucket getters we've ever seen step foot on the collegiate courts, Antoine Davis' Detroit Mercy legacy will likely never be topped. Averaging 25 points. per game over a five year career, Davis finished his career as NCAA Division I's second all-time leading scorer with 3,664 points and all-time three-point shot maker. Not Stephen Curry, not J.J. Redick, not Kyle Korver—Antoine. With a college career some athletes can only dream of where he played under his father Mike Davis, Antoine was just three points away from breaking the NCAA All-Time scoring record held by the honorable Pete Maravich. He's also the only player in NCAA history to record five seasons of 600+ points. A 6'1" pure point producer with elite footwork, a lightning fast release and the ability to score from anywhere, Antoine was an offensive monster. Davis signed with the Kings last year but was waived before playing a single game. He's been decent in the G-League, but at 27 years old now, his windows for NBA opportunities are closing.

Zach Edey — Purdue (2024)

Height: 7'4"

Position: C

2023-24 Stats: 25.2 PPG · 12.2 RPG · 2.0 APG · 62.3% FG

The injury bug was obviously a problem for Edey this NBA season, but when healthy, we've already seen the monster he's capable of being. A Purdue legend, Edey won back to back consensus National College Player of the Year honors in both 2023 and 2024. The glue that held the Boilermakers together, Edey's 25 and 12 carried Purdue to the National Championship game. Because nobody could handle his size without fouling, Edey essentially lived at the charity stripe, attempting over 11 free throws a game his senior year and hitting them at a solid clip. His skill and leadership make him quite possibly Purdue's biggest standout. A jersey retirement incoming? Likely. Fast forward to the present and Zach Edey has everything to prove. He was in the midst of a massive second-year breakout this season with 13.6 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks in just under 26 minutes a night before his ankle injury. When it comes to taller players, injuries just feel so much more severe, but here's hoping he comes back better than ever.

Eric Dixon — Villanova (2025)

Height: 6'8"

Position: PF

2024-25 Stats: 23.3 PPG · 5.1 RPG · 1.9 APG · 45.1% FG

Eric Dixon was the heartbeat of Villanova basketball post-Jay Wright. A throwback big man who modernized his game, he finished his college career as one of the greatest prospects in Villanova history. Following minimal play, Dixon became a full time starter in 2021 and averaged nine points over 38 games. Fast forward to 2024 and Dixon virtually tripled his scoring average in his final season, joining the legendary Paul Arizin as the only Wildcats to ever hold the title of NCAA scoring leader. Known for his "bully-ball" post-ups and clutch three-pointers, Dixon was a do-it-all four who anchored the team with leadership. Unfortunately along with the likes of Omari Spellman and Eric Paschall, Dixon fits the bill for another Villanova forward with superb talent but poor luck securing NBA play. Still young and staying consistent in the G-League, he could get the call up.

AJ Dybantsa — BYU (2026)

Height: 6'9"

Position: SF

2025-26 Stats: 25.5 PPG · 6.8 RPG · 3.7 APG · 51.0% FG

And then there's AJ. Next up? Maybe. This is a 6'9" guard-hybrid bucket getter who looked like a generational talent at the collegiate level. The most polished 1 on 1 scorer in this summer's draft by a reasonable margin, Dybantsa's deep bag and ability to get to his spots make him a premier prospect to turn a bad franchise into gold in a few years. Pure scorer, growing as a facilitator and leader, and a player that covers immense ground, it's hard not to root for this kid. Dybantsa is firmly locked into the top 3 for June. Most mock drafts have him going first overall even. Could Dybantsa be the next big thing for years to come? Only time will tell.

Clearly, leading the nation in scoring doesn’t guarantee anything at the next level—it just puts you on the map. From NBA contributors to overseas standouts, and in some cases careers that faded immediately after the cap and gown, each of these players took a completely different path once their college dominance came to an end. It’s a reminder of how unpredictable the transition to the pros really is. Looking back at these twenty names, which player’s journey stood out to you the most? Who carved out a better career than you expected—and who didn’t quite reach the level you thought they would? Let us know your thoughts.

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Thanks for reading!

-Joel Piton

(@jpiton7)