The NCAA men’s basketball tournament kicks off next week, and there will be a variety of people interested in filling out brackets and trying to figure out which teams are live and can pull off an upset. Players compete for a national championship in Indianapolis, trying to knock down the net. Who ends up being named the most outstanding player since 2000? For many of them, it was the highlight of their basketball careers.
2000: Martin Cleaves, Michigan State University
Michigan State’s Martin Cleaves talks with teammate Mike Chappell.
2001: Shane Battier, Duke University
Duke Blue Devils forward Sean Battier had an outstanding performance in the game.
2002: Juan Dixon, Maryland
Juan Dixon of the University of Maryland Terrapins celebrates cutting down the net after the men’s NCAA national championship game against the Indiana University Hoosiers.
2003: Carmelo Anthony, Syracuse
No. 15 Carmelo Anthony of Syracuse holds up tomorrow’s newspaper, which declares the Orange the national champion after he and his team beat Kansas 81-78.
2004: Emeka Okafor, University of Connecticut
UConn Huskies’ Emeka Okafor celebrates.
2005: Sean May, North Carolina
Sean May of the North Carolina Tar Heels.
2006: Joakim Noah, Florida State
Florida Gators forward Joakim Noah celebrates with fans during the celebration of the Gators’ first NCAA national basketball championship.
2007: Corey Brewer, Florida State
Florida Gators forward Corey Brewer.
2008: Mario Chalmers, Kansas
Kansas Jayhawks guard Mario Chalmers smiles as he listens to his teammates.
2009: Wayne Ellington, North Carolina
North Carolina Tar Heels’ Wayne Ellington celebrates with fans as he runs off the court after the North Carolina Tar Heels defeated the Michigan State Spartans 89-72 during the 2009 NCAA Division I men’s basketball national championship game.
2010: Kyle Singler, Duke
Kyle Singler of the Duke Blue Devils.
2011: Kemba Walker, University of Connecticut
Connecticut Huskies defender Kemba Walker waves to the crowd after cutting into the back of the net.
2012: Anthony Davis, Kentucky
Kentucky Wildcats’ Anthony Davis celebrates.
2013: Luke Hancock, Louisville
Louisville Cardinals linebacker/forward Luke Hancock celebrates.
2014: Shabazz Napier, University of Connecticut
Connecticut Huskies guard Shabazz Napier (13) celebrates with fans after defeating the Kentucky Wildcats.
2015: Tyus Jones, Duke
Duke Blue Devils guard Tyus Jones.
2016: Ryan Arcidiacono, Villanova
Villanova Wildcats guard Ryan Arcidiacono celebrates.
2017: Joel Berry II, North Carolina
North Carolina Tar Heels guard Joel Berry II.
2018: Donte DiVincenzo, Villanova
Villanova Wildcats guard Donte DiVincenzo (10) and guard Jalen Brunson (1) salute the student section.
2019: Kyle Guy, Virginia
Virginia Cavaliers guard Kyle Guy.
2021: Jared Butler, Baylor University
Baylor Bears’ Jared Butler reacts.
2022: Ochai Agbaji, Kansas
Kansas Jayhawks guard Ochai Agbaj celebrates.
2023: Adama Sanogo, University of Connecticut
UConn Huskies forward Adama Sanogo.
2024: Tristan Newton, University of Connecticut
UConn Huskies guard Tristan Newton.
2025: Walter Clayton Jr., Florida State
Florida Gators guard Walter Clayton Jr.
This article originally appeared on The List Wire: NCAA Tournament MOPs since 2000
