To have fun SLAM’s thirtieth anniversary, we’re spotlighting the 30 most influential males’s school groups from our previous 30 years. Stats, information and chips aren’t the primary issue right here, it’s all about their contribution to the sport’s cultural cloth.
For the following 30 days—Monday via Friday— we’ll be unveiling the full checklist right here. We’ve additionally obtained an unique retro collegiate assortment, out now, that pays homage to every squad’s threads. Store right here.
The All-American sensation of Jason Kidd. The prolific scoring of Lamond Murray. The 1993-94 California Bears noticed a season filled with gold headlined by their fifth-ever Candy 16 look. Draped in shimmering yellow-gold threads, this Cal squad was on the epicenter of the Golden State.
Recent off being named the Pac-10 Freshman of the 12 months, Jason Kidd dropped 16.7 factors per recreation as a sophomore, dispensing 9.1 assists, 6.9 rebounds and three.1 steals. The stocky 6-4 Bay Space native breezed previous the varsity’s earlier document of most assists in a season with 272.
Pair Kidd with a scintillating scorer like Murray, and it was recreation over for the Pac-10. Murray scored a team-high 24.3 factors within the ‘94 season and hauled down 7.9 rebounds per recreation. The Pasadena native was the most effective scorers this system had seen, and he would change into the Bears’ all-time scoring chief with 1,688 factors, rating him at No. 4. Kidd’s sorcery and Murray’s athleticism compelled opponents right into a persistent state of worry. Lobs, behind-the-back dimes, no-looks, skips and shovel passes may come from wherever at any time. With the ball in Kidd’s palms, even in case you thought you weren’t open, you had been open.
Whereas Murray was identified for his quiet and stoic demeanor—phrase is he’d rock his headphones and Walkman round campus with no music enjoying—the 6-7 junior ahead’s recreation was something however silent. When you wanted a bucket? Lamond Murray. On the lookout for a transition spotlight? Lamond Murray. Who was getting the play name within the huddle? Once more, Lamond Murray.
As for Kidd, he was cemented as the most effective gamers to return out of the Bay Space, a real hometown hero of the West Coast. The previous Naismith Participant of the 12 months in highschool launched this system to their first style of nationwide prominence. With Kidd continually drawing nationwide attract, The Golden Bears had been compelled to maneuver a few of their residence video games to the Oakland Coliseum the yr prior as ticket gross sales demanded a bigger venue. Kidd’s showmanship on the hardwood was so engaging that the Golden Bears had been hooping in entrance of sold-out crowds for 2 straight seasons. Now, Kidd’s illustrious No.5 jersey hangs within the rafters of Haas Pavilion, cementing his legacy in Golden Bears historical past.
Then there have been the likes of Monty Buckley, Ryan Jamison, Alfred Grigsby and Okay.J. Roberts. The recruiting Class of ‘91, alongside Kidd and Murray, had been the giants of the West. Their preparation was completely different. Summer season exercises at Harmon Fitness center consisted of going in opposition to the NBA’s finest. Sport reps with the likes of Tim Hardaway, Gary Payton, Brian Shaw, Antonio Davis, Mitch Richmond, Steve Nash and Chris Mullin had been nearly an unfair benefit. However hey, that’s the perks of being in Cali. Fixed battles in opposition to the League’s finest eviscerated any worry that will have arisen all through the 93-94 season.
Showtime was really happening within the Oakland Coliseum. With Kidd as lead orchestrator, the Cal Bears enacted a masterful symphony every evening. Followers thrived for quick break alternatives, and the Bears delivered. Dishevelled mesh threads flying throughout the hardwood. Nasty no-look dimes resulting in rim-rocking dunks. This model of basketball was simply completely different.
Images by way of Getty Photographs.