Peter Aluma or Julius Nwosu? Caleb Homesley or Larry Blair? Old school or new school? Debates over who is the greatest Liberty basketball player can vary, and we have done our best to identify the best of the best, ranking the greatest players in school history.
With hundreds of basketball players to suit up for the Flames over the years, just making this list is a huge honor, but who will be in the coveted top spot? Factors given include individual talent, individual accomplishments, and team accomplishments.
25. Mark Chafin, 1975-78
24. Davon Marshall, 2013-14
23. Myo Baxter-Bell, 2017-20
22. Kyle Ohman, 2007-10
21. John Caleb Sanders, 2011-14
20. Ryan Kemrite, 2015-18
19. Antwan Burrus, 2010-14
18. Gabe Martin 2003-04
17. Alex McLean, 2007-08
16. Georgie Pacheco-Ortiz, 2017-20
15. Elijah Cuffee, 2018-21
14. Lovell Cabbil, 2016-19
13. Seth Curry 2009
12. Steve Isaacs, 1980-83
11. Matt Hildebrand, 1991-94
10. Anthony Smith, 2006-09
Smitty was the first Liberty player to be named preseason conference player of the year when he earned the distinction for the Big South prior to his senior campaign. He would finish that season making first-team all-conference. Smith currently ranks No. 6 on the school’s all-time scoring list and is No. 15 on the all-time rebound list. He also ranks in the top 30 in career assists.
9. Julius Nwosu, 1991-93
One of the best big men to ever suit up for the Flames, Nwosu is currently ranked No. 19 on the all-time scoring list and No. 11 in career rebounds. He was twice named to the Big South’s first-team all-conference and was a member of the VaSID’s all state second team.
8. Scottie James, 2018-20
Playing three years at Liberty after transferring from Bradley, James is the program’s Division I leader in rebounds and ranks No. 4 on the school’s all time list as well as No. 17 in scoring. He was named to the conference all-tournament team all three seasons, named ASUN Tournament MVP in 2019, first-team all-ASUN twice, second-team all-Big South once, and to the Lou Henson All-American team in 2020. A part of two conference championship teams, James was part of the 2019 team which defeated Mississippi State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
7. Darius McGhee, 2019-Present
McGhee is the only active player on the list and he might be too low. With at least one more year of eligibility remaining, McGhee is currently fourth on the career three point field goals made list, but unless he misses significant time this coming season he will surpass Ryan Kemrite and hold the record for himself. He’s twice been on the all-tournament team, being named the ASUN Tournament MVP this past year. He’s also one of only three Liberty players to ever win the conference player of the year honor. McGhee has been part of a conference regular season and tournament championship all three years he’s been with the Flames. He’s on pace to finish his career ranked in the top 10 on the career scoring list.
6. Jesse Sanders, 2009-12
Sanders became the first Liberty player to be named conference player of the year at the Division I level, earning the honor from the Big South his junior season. He was twice named to the Big South’s first-team all-conference and twice a VaSID all-state second-team selection. Sanders, who recorded a triple double in each of his four seasons at Liberty, is the program record holder for career assists. He also ranks second in Division I history in rebounds (No. 6 all-time), and he’s also in the top 20 in career scoring.
