Boogie Down! The 10 Greatest Basketball Players From The Bronx

Kemba Walker carried UConn to the promised land last night, leading the Huskies to their third national championship, and picking up the NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player trophy along the way. He's now one of the best to do it on the collegiate level, but how does he stack up all-time against ballers from his hometown of The Bronx? The BX has had its share of hoops legends, from Hall of Famers like Tiny Archibald to playground icons like Monch Cruz to more recent names like Rod Strickland. Where does young Kemba rank on the list? Find out with our look at the 10 Greatest Basketball Players From The Bronx.

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Years Active: 1974-1986

Teams: UNLV/Suns/Pacers/Bulls/Bullets/Sonics

Sobers starred at Dewitt Clinton High School in The Bronx, went to UNLV for two years and was the Suns' 1st round pick in the '75 draft, getting to the Finals with the Suns his rookie year. During a very solid 10-year career in the L, Sobers compiled more than 10,000 points and 3500 assists.

Years Active: 1952-1970

Teams: Iona/Knicks/Hawks

This 6'4" 195 lbs. guard was an all-around playmaker for the Knicks and Hawks during his career. A Garden favorite, Guerin set single game records with the Knicks that stood for decades, including 21 assists in '58 and 57 points in '59. He made 6 All-Star games, and as one of the league's first big guards, was the prototype to the Big "O" and DWill.

Years Active: 2009-2011

Teams: UConn

Heard of this guy? Your favorite ankle surgeon's favorite hybrid guard starred at Rice High in the city before taking his talents to Storrs, where he accomplished just about all he could in college (he did it in style too). If the past month is any indication, dude may be in store for a rapid rise up this list. Is it too much for Nets fans to ask (there are Nets fans, right?) that this BX product get to take his game to BK some day?

Years Active: 1989-2000

Teams: St. John's/Pacers/Clippers/Pistons/T'Wolves

Malik Sealy balled his ass off at St. John's, averaging 18.9 ppg, 6.9 rpg and 1.8 spg in four years for the Redmen (as they were known then). The '92 first round pick had trouble adusting to the NBA at first (famously losing his playbook in New York), but started to come into his own with the Timberwolves, becoming a mentor to a young Kevin Garnett along the way. KG idolized Malik when he played for the Johnnies and even wore No. 21 after him. Sadly, Sealy was killed by a drunk driver after celebrating The Big Ticket's 24th birthday in 2000; Malik was just 30 years old.

Years Active: 1977-1993

Teams: Canóvanas Indios/Puerto Rican National Team

You may not have heard of him, but in the BX, "Monch" Cruz's name rings bells. For years the 5'10" Cruz abused cats on NYC playgrounds before starring on the worldwide stage during the '88 Seoul Olympics, besting Drazen Petrovic leading the Puerto Rican National Team to a .500 record and 7th place finish. "Monchito" had a storied career in Puerto Rico, winning back-to-back BSN championships with the Canóvanas Indios. Another BX b-ball tragedy, Angelo Cruz has been missing since 1997 but his legend lives on in the heart and soul of the city game.

Years Active: 1991-2004

Teams: Kentucky/Mavs/Heat/Hornets

Hailling out of the Bronx's Cardinal Hayes High, Jamal was a superstar at Kentucky, becoming the school's fourth-leading scorer in just three years. His otherwise stellar NBA career was hindered by injuries, but he did make two All-Star teams, and managed to average 20 ppg in his final season, one of only six players to ever do so. The others? Michael Jordan, Jerry West, Reggie Lewis, Larry Bird and Drazen Petrovic. Not bad company there.

Years Active: 1986-2005

Teams: Depaul/Knicks/Spurs/Blazers/Bullets/Heat/T'Wolves/Magic/Raptors/Rockets

Arguably one of the most underrated players in the history of the game, Strickland was one of the best (and most stylish) guards in his day. Although he never made an All Star team, he was a second team All NBA selection in '98, and finished his career with 14,000+ points and 8000+ assists. While an assistant to John Calipari in Memphis and Kentucky, he's mentored two of the game's preeminent points, Derrick Rose and Tyreke Evans.

Years Active: 1944-1960

Teams: St.John's/Knicks

"Tricky" Dick is a Knick legend, battling Bob Cousy, and making seven All Star appearances. He led the league in assists his rookie year with 386 dimes, and, along with his brother, Al (the commentator and coach of the 1977 Marquette national championship team), are the only two siblings to be inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame.

Years Active: 1945-1964

Teams: NYU/Nationals/76ers

Dolph is a roundball OG. One of the top 50 players to ever do it, Schayes averaged 18.5 ppg, 12.1 rpg and 3.1 apg, played in 706 consecutive games, appeared in 12 All Star games and was named to the All-NBA First-Team six times. One of the game's first superstar big men, he also led the '55 Syracuse Nationals to a chip.

Years Active: 1968-1984

Teams: UTEP/Royals/Nets/Celtics/Bucks

"Tiny" was already a legend by the time he made it to the NBA. His NYC streetball feuds with Pee Wee Kirkland and Angelo "Monch" Cruz are the stuff of legend. Nate had big game in a tiny package and was the prototype for future shoot-first point guards. The 6'1", 150 lbs guard is the only player to average 34 ppg and 11 apg in a season. Nate ran the point on the '81 Celtics and played a vital role in winning the championship.