Christian Laettner

Christian Laettner won the John R. Wooden Award in 1992 as the best player in college basketball, becoming the first player from Duke University to win the award. As a senior at Duke, he led the Blue Devils to their second consecutive NCAA championship, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest college players of all time. Laettner averaged 21.5 points and 7.9 rebounds per game that season, showcasing his versatility as a dominant big man who could shoot from the perimeter and play physically inside. His leadership, clutch performances, and all-around skill set made him the obvious choice for the Wooden Award. He famously hit a game-winning shot against Kentucky in the Elite Eight that year, further solidifying his reputation for excelling in pressure moments. Laettner's Wooden Award was the crowning achievement of a storied college career that also included four Final Four appearances and a key role on the legendary 1992 Dream Team after graduation.