WYOMING ALL-TIME BOYS BASKETBALL PLAYERS (Top 25)

WYOMING BOYS’ BASKETBALL TOP 25 ALL-TIME

(Since 1976, the beginning of the Montana-Wyoming All Star Series)

This list is based on individual statistics, awards, and team accomplishments and was created by John Tate, a retired Wyoming teacher and basketball coach, for wyoming-basketball.com. There is no individual number ranking. Players are ranked by teams instead and listed in alphabetical order within each team. All statistics were gathered from wyoming-basketball.com, newspaper articles, and sports websites. Top 10 all-time ranking on individual stats is listed in parentheses. College and pro accomplishments are added to give perspective on an individual’s talent, but the emphasis is on what each player accomplished in high school through the all-star games. Certainly, arguments can be made for different players and where they rank. Other players were considered and sit just outside the Top 25. Undoubtedly, you may disagree with this list and feel that there are players who deserve to be there, and you may be right. Afterall, the top two all-time scorers are not on this list, but there are reasons, such as the number of games each played compared to others. This ranking is subjective. It is also just one person’s opinion. Create your own list. Who’s in your Top 25? Regardless, I hope you enjoy reading about some of the best players to ever hit the hardwood in Wyoming.

Note: Class designation changed in 1984 from AA, A, B, C to 4A, 3A, 2A, 1A. When class is listed players are stated with classification at time each played. McDonald’s All-American started in 1977. Gatorade POY (Player of the Year) began in 1985. SD-WY All Star Series began in 1993. Max Preps POY (Player of the Year) started in 2006. Three point shot began in 1986. Years are listed with the end of the state tournament rather than including the last two months of the previous year. For example, ’21 instead of ’20-’21.

FIRST TEAM:

Taran Brown (Campbell County, ’09-’11), 6’8: 2x all-state; 1x state champion; 1x state runner up; 1175 points; 453 FGM; 540 rebounds; 148 blocked shots; averaged 20.1 points/game and 8.9 rebounds/game as a senior; career high 35-point game vs. Scottsbluff, NB; had 25 points (8-8 shooting), 8 rebounds, and three blocks to lead team to state title victory; 4A Player of the Year (’11); Mr. Wyoming Basketball (’11); scored 31 points in second game to lead Wyoming sweep of Montana; had 27 points in win versus South Dakota; Gatorade POY (’11); McDonald’s All-American (’11); had solid career for UC Santa Barbara (set freshman record for 3PTM in a season) and Cal State San Marcos (set school single season FT% record with 87.8% and tied school record of 3PTM (7) in a single game).

Jaycee Carroll (Evanston, ’00-’02), 6’2: 2x all state; 1x state runner up; 2034 career points (#9); 712 FGM (#9); 340 FGM in a season (#1); 466 FTM (#6); a scoring machine his junior and senior seasons, he set all-time 4A & second-for-all-classes record with average of 38.4 points/game (962 points in 25 games) in senior season (’02); most points (962) in a season (‘02); scored 47, 50, 51, and 56 points in single games; scoring average of 26.8 points/game as a junior; 2x Gatorade POY; Mr. Wyoming Basketball (’02); 1^st team Parade H.S. All-American (’02); scored 34 points in WY win over MT and 43 points in All Star win over South Dakota; starred at Utah State where he became school’s all-time leading scorer and player of the year in the WAC as well as earned various All-American honors; led team to NCAA tournament berths; played professionally overseas many years for Real Madrid and in four other pro leagues, winning 20 titles; qualified for the Azerbaijani national team.

Myron Chavez (Wyoming Indian, ’83-‘86), 6’1: 4x all state; 2x state champion; 2x state runner up; teams were 82-6 during his four years as a starter including 22-0 in both ’84 &’85; teams had state record 50-game winning streak; one of only two players in the Top 25 to play in four state title games; 3x Star Tribune Player of the Year (’84, ’85, ’86); Gatorade POY (’86); McDonald’s All-American (’86); 1718 career points (3PT shot was not available until his senior year); averaged nearly a quadruple double his senior year; 732 FGM (#7); nicknamed “Myron the Magician” he starred in ’86 Montana-Wyoming All Star Series helping Wyoming to sweep MT that year, scoring 26 points in second game; signed with Casper College, but didn’t finish first year; played for United Tribes Technical College (Bismarck, ND) later.

Bruce Collins (Rock Springs,’73-‘76), 6’5: 2x 1^st team all-state; 1x state champion; 1x state runner up; AA Player of the Year (’76); nicknamed “Hi-C”, for the way he played above the rim, he averaged 21.3 P/G and 15.0 Reb./G in leading Rock Springs to the state championship despite having a bleeding ulcer, being hospitalized, and missing games late in the regular season just prior to the regional; nicknamed the “Plastic Man” by his fellow WY all stars for his amazing body control, he was named MVP of first Montana-Wyoming All Star Series (’76) scoring 65 points to lead Wyoming in two-game sweep; H.S. All-American (Coach & Athlete,’76); started all 120 games at Weber State (3x All-Big Sky 1^st team); led team to highest national ranking (#15) ever; jersey is retired at Weber State where he is still the all-time leading scorer with 2019 points & second in Big Sky history; drafted by the Portland Trailblazers; played professionally overseas for three years; inducted into the 2012 Class of the Wyoming Sports Hall of Fame. Ranked by Sports Illustrated at #12 for the ‘Top 50 Sports Figures” in Wyoming sports history in the 20^th Century.

James Johnson (Cheyenne East, ’04-‘07); 6’7: 2x all state; 1x state champion; averaged 28 pts./game and nine rebounds/game his senior year (’07); 1673 career points; 358 career FTM; 267 blocks (#3); scored game-leading 20 points in one game of Montana-Wyoming All-Star Series split; ranked as #16 small forward & #62 player overall in the country by Rivals.com (’07); played and starred for Wake Forest (ACC All-Freshman Team, 3^rd Team All ACC twice); featured in Sports Illustrated article in college; drafted #16 by the Chicago Bulls in 2009 after his sophomore year at Wake Forest; has played for ten different teams in the NBA and is playing with the Brooklyn Nets in 2021-2022 season.

SECOND TEAM:

Gerald Mattinson (Rock Springs, ’75-’77), 6’5: 2x all state; 1x state champion; 2x state runner up; team had 27-game winning streak; teams were 64-6 his three years as a starter; scored 61 points in two games in winning West Region in ‘77 & 68 points in ’77 state tournament runner up finish; H.S. All-American (Coach & Athlete,’77); Milward Simpson Award winner (’77); helped Wyoming to split with Montana in 1977 All Star Series with 25 points in second game; regarded by college recruiters as the best player in Wyoming in ’77; played for Casper College (All- Region 9, NJCAA All Tournament, 1^st Team All-American); and Weber State (two-time All-Big Sky and two-time Academic All-American); inducted into Wyoming Sports Hall of Fame (2017); long coaching career, including associate women’s basketball coach at UW for many years & now head UW women’s basketball coach.

Nathan Miller (Thermopolis, ’03-’05), 6’3: 3x all state; 2x state champion; 1x state runner up; 1802 points; averaged 27.1 points/game (731,’05) and 24.7 points/game (618,’04); 687 rebounds; 233 steals; 660 FGM; 363 FTM; teams were 71-6 with 49-game winning streak in his three years as a starter; scored 77 points and captured 34 rebounds in three games at ‘05 state tournament; Gatorade POY (’05); Mr. Wyoming Basketball (’05); McDonald’s All-American (’05); scored 41 points in loss to South Dakota All Stars and made 13 of 14 FTs, a series record; played for Northwest College (1052 points) and Rocky Mountain College.

Richard Smith (Green River, ’73-‘76), 6’11: 2x all state; 1x state champion; 1x state runner up;  an agile ‘big’ with quick feet he had 33 points, 22 rebounds, and six blocked shots in ’76 state title game loss to Star Valley; scored 45 points and had 33 rebounds in a single game (Evanston); averaged 26 points /game and 15.4 rebounds/game in senior year; 400 rebounds (#5) in a season (’76); 289 FGM in a season (#4); AP Class A Co-Player of the Year (’75) and AP Class A Player of the Year (’76); H.S. All-American (Coach & Athlete,’76); helped Wyoming to sweep Montana in inaugural Montana-Wyoming All Star Series in ’76; played for Weber State (All Big Sky 1^st team,’79 & 2^nd team,’80); drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers.

John Soundingsides (Wyoming Indian, ’09-‘12), 5’8: 2x all state; 3x state champion; 1x state runner up; only player in Top 25, other than Myron Chavez, to play in four state title games; teams were 100-15 over four seasons; 1896 total points; averaged 26.9 points/game as senior and 21.3 points/game as junior; 380 career 3PTM (#1); 4 games with 10+ 3PTM; scored 65 points in one game with 17 3PT; top two 3PTM in a season (148 & 135);  also had single games of 45, 50, and 51 points; 703 career FGM; 294 FGM in a season (#2); 243 career steals; played in Montana-Wyoming & South Dakota-Wyoming All-Star Series.

Hunter Thompson (Pine Bluffs, ’14-‘17), 6’10: 4x all state; 1x state champion; 1x state third place; teams were 96-18 over four years with 50-game winning streak; 2129 total points (#6); averaged 22.3 points/game in ’17; 1098 rebounds (#2); 773 FGM (#2); 484 FTM (#4); 278 blocks (#2); Casper Star-Tribune Player of the Year (’15); Star-Tribune all state 1^st team; Cheyenne Tribune Eagle Male Prep Athlete of the Year (’16); Mr. Wyoming Basketball (’17); selected but did not play in MT & SD All Star Series due to foot injury; ranked as a four-star recruit by ESPN; three-star recruit by Scout and Rivals national recruiting services  & #1 player in Wyoming by 247 Sports (’17); selected to participate in National Basketball Players Association’s Top 100 Camp (’16); playing for U of Wyoming at present.

THIRD TEAM:

Doug Baker (Chugwater, ’99- 02), 6’4;  2x all state; 1x state champion; 2160 points (#4); scored 51 points three times; in epic state championship game performance he poured in 21 of his 51 points in the fourth quarter to capture state title in dramatic comeback win after being down 17 in third quarter; scored 113 points (37.6 ppg) and had 29 rebounds in state tournament run (’02); also had games of 44 and 48 points during the season; #2 for most points in a season (859) with #4 all-time average of 35.8 points/game in 24 games (’02); teams were 59-10 last three years; scored 29 points in Montana-Wyoming All Star Series split; played for Casper College (ranked 31^st in nation his sophomore year for 3PTFGM at 42.6% on 26-61 shooting).

Craig Ferris (Wyoming Indian, ’92-’95), 6’6 (no Chief has ever been taller); 3x all state; 1x state champion; 1x state runner up; 1x third place; a rare four-year starter for the Chiefs, his teams were 83-9 over his four years & he averaged 17.3 points/game during that time; 1600 career points; scored 29 points in state title victory in ’93 (2A tournament MVP as a sophomore); had 20 points and 17 rebounds in state third place game in ’95; had 18 points for state runner up in title game in ’94;; played in Montana-Wyoming All-Star Series; played at Casper College (Region 9 Champion) and at Eastern New Mexico University; coached Chiefs for past 16 seasons (’06-’21) winning six state championships.

Cody Kelley (Campbell County, ’11-’14), 5’11; 2x all-state; 1x state champion; 1x state runner up; teams were 69-14; averaged 24.9 points/game (’14); 177 3PTM; 363 FTM; points in a season (686); three-year starter at point guard who became school’s all-time leader in points, assists (481), and steals; 2x 4A Player of the Year (’13,‘14); first 2x Gatorade POY (’13,’14) for Wyoming boys; scored 47 points to lead Wyoming in both games against Montana in All-Star Series; had 18 points in North win in WCA North-South game; selected for Max Preps 2014 Recruiting Watch List; played at U. of Wyoming and at U. of South Dakota.

Jason McManamen (Torrington, ’09-’12), 6’5: 3x all state; 2x state champion; 1x state third place; 1923 total points (#10); 921 rebounds (#9); 171 3PTM; 703 FGM (#10); teams were 68-18 over three seasons; averaged 19.3 points & 9.5 rebounds/game his senior year; Star-Tribune Large School 1^st Team (’12); Gatorade POY (’12); Mr. Wyoming Basketball (’12); scored 34 points (including team-leading 22 in second game) in Montana-Wyoming All-Star Series; scored game-leading 27 points in loss to SD in All-Star Series; played at U of Wyoming earning All-Mountain West Honorable Mention (’16); scored 1034 points for UW career.

Dale Reed (Little Snake River, ’85-’89), 6’3: 4x all state; 2x state champion; 1x state third place; 2144 (#5) total points in just 86 games; 844 points in a season (#3); a terrific scorer who put up the most games with 44 or more points (7) with 44, 45, 47, 48, 50, 51, and 53 in a single game; averaged 40.1 points /game (844 points in 21 games) his senior year, the state record for all classes; 524 assists (#8); 249 steals; 182 3PTM; 293 FGM in a season (#3); 768 FGM (#4); 426 FTM; teams were 68-18 in four years; Gatorade POY (’89); Milward Simpson Award Winner (’89); scored 20 points in Wyoming win versus Montana in All Star Series split; played at U. of Iowa and  Washington State.

FOURTH TEAM:

Marcus Bailey (Cheyenne East, ’96-’99), 6’5: 1x all-state; 1x state third place; outstanding senior year in which he averaged 28.4 points/game; scored 72 points (24.0/game) in three state tournament games (’99); 23 FTM in single game; scored 51 points in a single game (’99); selected for Montana-Wyoming All Star Series but did not play; starred at U. of Wyoming (All Mountain West 1st Team,’01 &’02; MWC All-Tournament Team,’02, 1356 career  points); received the Wyoming Sports Hall of Fame Athlete of the Year Award (’03) for leading the basketball team to the NCAA tournament.

Angelo Hill (Natrona, ’73-’76), 6’5: 2x all state; 1x state runner up; averaged 20.3 points/game and 15.8 rebounds/game in senior season; named to two Top 100 All-American teams (Coach & Athlete and St. Petersburg, Florida Times,’76); Honorable Mention All-American (Coach & Athlete,’75); led Natrona in scoring and rebounding in ’75 & ’76; high game of 38 points and had four games with 20+ rebounds his senior year; third leading scorer in school history when he graduated; helped sweep Montana in the inaugural All Star Series in 1976; excellent career playing for Washington State (AP All-American Honorable Mention,’81); played professionally for the Casper Wildcatters in the CBA.

Trey Hladky (Campbell County, ’15-’18), 5’9: 2x all state; 1x state champion; 1x state third place; teams were 55-28; points (1604); averaged 27.4 points/game his senior year and 23.3 points/game his junior year; 231 3PTM (#9); 3PTM in a season 100 (#3) and 99 (#4-tie); points in a season (783); a clever passer and a clutch scorer he put up 43 points in state title game win (’18); most points in single game (46); Campbell County’s all-time leading scorer; 2x Gatorade POY (’17 & ’18); Mr. Wyoming Basketball (’18); scored 33 points, including game high 19 in first game of Montana-Wyoming All Star Series; scored 23 points (with five 3PTM) to lead North to victory over South in WCF all-star game; played for Chadron State, red shirted at Gillette College, and played at Dickinson State University.

Brett Keisel (Greybull, ’94-’97), 6’5: 3x all state; 1x state champion; 1x state runner up; 1x state third place; averaged 25 points, 15 rebounds, three steals, and 2.6 blocks/game in senior season; scored 69 points in state tournament his senior year (’97); Gatorade POY (’97); Milward Simpson Award Winner (’97); McDonald’s All-American nominee (’97); dominated in the all- star games as he had 46 points and 29 rebounds against MT in two-game sweep and 53 points in split with SD; played football in college for BYU and later professionally for 12 years with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Known as “Da Beard”, he started at defensive end and helped the Steelers win two Super Bowls. Inducted into the Wyoming Sports Hall of Fame in 2007.

Ed Restivo (Cheyenne St. Mary’s, ’74-‘76), 6’3: 2x all state; 1x state runner up; 1,349 points;  scored 50 points in a single game; 23 FGM in a single game; three-year starter who was the most prolific rebounder in Wyoming history with 1,341 rebounds (#1); three of the top four rebound seasons of all-time (493, 443, 405); only player with more than one 400+ rebound season; one of just six players in the U.S. to average 20+ points (21.4) and 20+ rebounds (20.1) in a single season (’75); missed by seven rebounds from doing it twice with 21 points/game and 19.7 rebounds/game in ’76; high of 34 rebounds in one game and 28 rebounds in another; averaged 18.6 rebounds/game for his three years; teams were 59-13; two-time H.S. All-American (Coach & Athlete, ‘75 & Who’s Who, ‘76); played half a season for Laramie County Community College before life got in the way.

FIFTH TEAM:

Kyle Bullinger (Mountain View, ‘04-‘07), 6’5:  3x all-state; 1x state runner up; 1x third place; 2171 points (#3); 753 points (#8) in a season (’07-25.1 points/game) and 642 points (’06-21.4 points/game); 936 rebounds (#7); 502 FTM (#2); 148 and 171 FTM in a season; teams were 42-18 his junior & senior years; Gatorade POY (’07); played for Weber State (in top 20 in Big Sky Conference in every statistical category his junior year); All-Big Sky (1^st Team); only played partial senior season due to injury; scored 1042 career points at Weber State.

Demeitreus Drew (Cheyenne Central, ’88-’91), 6’5: 3x all-state; 1x state champion (23-0); scored 51 points in three-game state tournament title run (’91); career high game of 36 points (’91); teams were 55-16 over three years; Gatorade POY (’91); helped Wyoming sweep Montana in ’91 All-Star Series (shattered backboard, too!); played for Dixie State College (St. George, UT).

Andy Jones (Wheatland, ’82-’84), 6’4: 3x all state; 1x state runner up; led 3A state tournament in scoring in ’84 with 91 points (30.3); Star Tribune Top 20 (1^st team, ’83 & ‘84); Star Tribune 3A Player of the Year (’84); averaged 31.2 points/game (led all classes) and 14.4 rebounds/game in ’84; scored 50 points twice in a game; made 20 and 22 FG in single games; 280 FGM in a season (#5). Teams were 56-9 over three seasons as a starter; played for Casper College (Region 9 Academic All-American candidate, ‘86).

Sam Lecholat (Sheridan, ’18-’21), 6’6: 3x all state; 1x state runner up; 2x state third  place; a four-year contributor who averaged a double-double all three years he started; had 17.3 points/game and 10.5 rebounds/game in senior year & 18 points and 11 rebounds/game as a junior; scored over 1200 points; 840 total rebounds  (leading rebounder in all classes in junior & senior years); had 34 points and 24 rebounds versus Campbell County (’21); teams were 78-22; 2x Gatorade POY (’20 & ’21); 2x Max Preps POY (’20 & ‘21); played in Montana-Wyoming All Star Series; recognized by Stadium Talk as top-ranked recruit in Wyoming in 2021; playing at Montana State University(Bozeman) in ’21-’22.

Gregg Sawyer (Burns, ’91-’94), 6’2: 4x all state; 1x state runner up; 1780 points; 670 rebounds; 629 assists (#4); 346 steals (#6); 134 blocks; had 21 assists in a single game (#1); 614 FGM; 495 FTM (#3); scored 45 & 57 points in single games; teams were 48-14 in three seasons; teams were 56-25; Gatorade POY (’94); Milward Simpson Award Winner (’94); played in Montana-Wyoming All-Star Series; played at U of Wyoming,‘94-’98, (co-captain, All WAC-2^nd team, All-WAC Defensive Team); inducted into Wyoming Sports Hall of Fame in 2010.

HONORABLE MENTION:

Corey Bruce (Green River, ’85-’87), 6’3: 1x all state; 1x state champion; 4A POY; Mr. Wyoming Basketball (’87); led state in every statistical category except scoring (’87); Milward Simpson Winner (’87); played for Idaho State (All-Conference and Academic All-American)

Logan Burningham (Ten Sleep, ’10-’13): 4x all state; 1x state runner up; all-time leading scorer with 2342 points in 109 games; averaged 21.5 pts./game (career); 675 points in a season ’12; 252 FGM (#10); 737 rebounds; Star-Tribune Small School First Team (’13); played in Montana-Wyoming All Star Series; played for Gillette College for one season.

Robbie Cragoe (Riverton, ’73-’76), 6’1: Milward Simpson Award Winner; Mr. Wyoming Basketball (’76); helped sweep Montana in All Star Series (’76).

Michael Dietz (Natrona County, ’06-’09), 6’8; 3x all-state; 2x state champion; 2x state third place; teams were 91-16; Gatorade POY (’09); 4A POY (’09); McDonald’s All-American nominee; played for Casper College and South Dakota School of Mines.

Erik Oliver (Cheyenne East, ’16-’19), 6’2; 3x all state; set school career scoring record for total points (1795); averaged 19.7 points/game and 7.5 rebounds/game his senior year; averaged 17.1 over 105 games for his career; Gatorade Player of the Year (’15);

Buell Robinson (Wyoming Indian, ’14-’17), 5’8: 1x state champion; 1x state runner up; 2193 total points (#2) in 111 games; 19.7 pts./game (career); 45 points in a single game; 272 3PTM (#4); 381 FTM; 770 FGM (#3); 393 assists in career; 271 steals in career; averaged 24.2 points/game (’17) to lead all classes; teams were 86-25 over four seasons; played in Montana-Wyoming All Star Series; played for United Tribes Technical College (Bismarck, ND).

Devan Royer (Sheridan, ’00-’03), 6’6: 3x all-state; 1x state champion; 1x state runner up; 1x state 5th place; four-year starter who scored 1715 points; averaged 25 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 3.0 steals, and 2.0 blocks his senior year; averaged 20+ points/game his last three years; 191 3PTM; teams were 61-43; Gatorade POY (’03); Mr. Wyoming Basketball (’03).

Owen St. Clair (Wyoming Indian, ’87-’90), 6’0: 3x all state; 1x state champion; 1641 points; 595 FGM; 375 FTM. Teams were 67-23; 18.2 pts./game

Tony Schamber (Wheatland, ’97; Lander Valley, ’98-‘00): 1738 points; 713 points in a season (#10); averaged 26.4 points/game in senior season (’00); 187 assists; Gatorade Player of the Year (’00).

Nate Smith (Campbell County, ’90-’93), 6’9; 1x all-state; 2x state champion; team was 23-0 in (’93) & 45-1 during two-year title run.

Bobby Traylor (Cheyenne East, ’87-’90), 6’6; 2x all-state; 1x state champion; 2x state runner up; teams were 60-23 over three years; Gatorade Player of the Year (’90).

Jayin Trumbull (Wind River, ’15-’18), 6’4: 3x all-state, 2x state champion, 2x state runner up; 1606 career points; 1003 career rebounds (#4); 645 career FGM; averaged 21.3 pts. and 12.9 rebounds/game his senior season; 177 career blocks; teams were 95-16 (best four-year run in school history); USA Today 1^st team (’18).

Sundance Wicks (Campbell County, ’96-’99), 6’6: 2x all state; 2x state champion; 1100 points; 593 rebounds; 172 steals; Gatorade Player of the Year (’98); played for Northern State (Aberdeen, SD).

Ryun Williams (Campbell County, ’85-‘88), 6’0: 3x all-state; first 1,000 point scorer at Campbell County High School; averaged 19 points/game as a senior; Mr. Wyoming Basketball (’88); scored game-leading 21 points in first game win in Montana-Wyoming All Star Series; Gatorade Player of the Year (’88); played at Sheridan College (All-Region 9, ’90);  and U. of South Dakota (All-NCC & led nation in FT%, 91.2%).