Top 12 Best Temple Basketball Players

#12: Lavoy Allen (2007-2011)

• Position: Power Forward / Center
• Height/Weight: 6’9″, 255 lbs

Lavoy Allen was a dominant force in the paint for Temple, known for his rebounding and defensive prowess. During his senior season, Allen averaged 11.6 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game.  He finished his career as the all-time leading rebounder in Temple history with 1,147 rebounds. Allen was a two-time Atlantic 10

All-Conference First Team selection and helped lead the Owls to four consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances. After his college career, Allen was selected 50th overall by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2011 NBA Draft. He played several seasons in the NBA, known for his solid defense and rebounding.

#11: Dionte Christmas (2005-2009)

• Position: Shooting Guard
• Height/Weight: 6’5″, 205 lbs

Dionte Christmas was a prolific scorer for the Temple Owls, known for his three-point shooting and offensive versatility. He averaged 19.5 points per game during his junior season and 19.7 points per game in his senior year.  Christmas was a three-time All-Atlantic 10 First Team selection and led the conference in scoring for two consecutive seasons.

He played a key role in leading Temple to two NCAA Tournament appearances. Although he went undrafted in the NBA, Christmas enjoyed a successful professional career overseas and in the NBA G League, continuing to showcase his scoring ability.

#10: Marty Collins (2002-2006)

• Position: Shooting Guard / Small Forward
• Height/Weight: 6’6″, 220 lbs

Marty Collins was a versatile player for Temple, known for his ability to play multiple positions and contribute in various facets of the game. During his senior season, Collins averaged 16.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game.

He was named to the All-Atlantic 10 First Team and played a crucial role in Temple’s success during his tenure. Collins was selected 29th overall by the New York Knicks in the 2006 NBA Draft and had a solid professional career, known for his defensive skills and versatility.

#9: Tim Perry (1984-1988)

• Position: Power Forward
• Height/Weight: 6’9″, 200 lbs

Tim Perry was a dominant shot-blocker and rebounder for Temple. During his senior season, Perry averaged 14.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 4.1 blocks per game, earning him Atlantic 10 Player of the Year honors. 

He finished his career as Temple’s all-time leader in blocked shots with 392. Perry was instrumental in leading the Owls to multiple NCAA Tournament appearances, including an Elite Eight run in 1988. Perry was selected 7th overall by the Phoenix Suns in the 1988 NBA Draft and enjoyed a productive NBA career, known for his shot-blocking and defensive presence.

#8: Lynn Greer (1997-2002)

• Position: Point Guard
• Height/Weight: 6’1″, 175 lbs

Lynn Greer was a scoring machine for Temple, known for his ability to take over games with his offensive prowess. During his senior season, Greer averaged 23.2 points, 4.2 assists, and 3.1 rebounds per game. 

He was named Atlantic 10 Player of the Year in 2002 and finished his career as one of the top scorers in Temple history with 2,099 points. Greer had a successful professional career overseas, where he continued to demonstrate his scoring ability and playmaking skills.

#7: Pepe Sanchez (1996-2000)

• Position: Point Guard
• Height/Weight: 6’4″, 195 lbs

Pepe Sánchez was a masterful playmaker and defender for Temple, known for his exceptional court vision and defensive skills. During his senior season, Sánchez averaged 11.0 points, 6.4 assists, and 2.7 steals per game. 

He was a two-time Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Year and finished his career as Temple’s all-time leader in assists (712) and steals (365). Sánchez played a key role in leading the Owls to multiple NCAA Tournament appearances, including an Elite Eight run in 1999.

Sánchez went on to have a successful professional career in the NBA and overseas. Additionally, he was a key member of the Argentine national team that won the gold medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics, further showcasing his leadership and playmaking abilities on an international stage.

#6: Eddie Jones (1991-1994)

• Position: Shooting Guard / Small Forward
• Height/Weight: 6’6″, 190 lbs

Eddie Jones was a dynamic scorer and versatile defender for the Temple Owls. During his senior season, Jones averaged 19.2 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game. He was named Atlantic 10 Player of the Year in 1994 and earned All-American honors. 

Jones led Temple to multiple NCAA Tournament appearances and was known for his clutch performances and ability to take over games. Jones was selected 10th overall by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1994 NBA Draft and enjoyed a highly successful 14-year NBA career, earning three All-Star selections and being named to the NBA All-Defensive Team three times.

#5: Aaron McKie (1991-1994)

• Position: Shooting Guard / Small Forward
• Height/Weight: 6’5″, 209 lbs

Aaron McKie was a standout player for Temple, known for his scoring, playmaking, and defensive skills. During his senior season, McKie averaged 20.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game, leading the Owls to the Elite Eight in 1993.

McKie was a two-time Atlantic 10 Player of the Year and earned All-American honors. McKie was selected 17th overall by the Portland Trail Blazers in the 1994 NBA Draft and had a successful NBA career, highlighted by winning the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award in 2001. After retiring as a player, McKie transitioned into coaching and is currently the head coach of the Temple Owls.

#4: Bill Mlkvy (1949-1952)

• Position: Small Forward
• Height/Weight: 6’4″, 180 lbs

Bill Mlkvy, known as “The Owl Without a Vowel,” was a prolific scorer and rebounder for Temple in the early 1950s. During his senior season, Mlkvy averaged an astounding 29.2 points and 17.9 rebounds per game, leading the nation in both categories.

He was named a consensus All-American in 1951 and is considered one of the greatest players in Temple history. Mlkvy was selected by the Philadelphia Warriors in the 1952 NBA Draft but chose to pursue a career in dentistry. Despite his brief professional basketball career, Mlkvy’s impact on Temple basketball remains legendary.

#3: Hal Lear (1953-1956)

• Position: Shooting Guard
• Height/Weight: 5’11”, 165 lbs

Hal Lear was a scoring sensation for Temple in the mid-1950s. During his senior season, Lear averaged 24.0 points per game and led the Owls to the Final Four in 1956, where he was named the Most Outstanding Player of the tournament. 

Lear’s incredible scoring ability and leadership helped elevate Temple to national prominence. Lear was selected by the Philadelphia Warriors in the 1956 NBA Draft and played professionally in the NBA and ABA. His contributions to Temple basketball are still celebrated today.

#2: Mark Macon (1987-1991)

• Position: Shooting Guard
• Height/Weight: 6’5″, 185 lbs

Mark Macon was one of the most talented and versatile players in Temple history. During his freshman season, Macon averaged 20.6 points per game and led the Owls to the Elite Eight. He was a two-time Atlantic 10 Player of the Year and earned All-American honors. 

Macon finished his career as Temple’s all-time leading scorer with 2,609 points. Macon was selected 8th overall by the Denver Nuggets in the 1991 NBA Draft and played several seasons in the NBA. After his playing career, Macon transitioned into coaching, further contributing to the game of basketball.

#1: Guy Rodgers (1955-1958)

• Position: Point Guard
• Height/Weight: 6’0″, 185 lbs

Guy Rodgers is widely regarded as the best player in Temple history. Known for his incredible court vision and playmaking ability, Rodgers averaged 19.6 points and 7.3 assists per game during his senior season.  He led the Owls to two Final Four appearances in 1956 and 1958 and was a consensus All-American in 1958. Rodgers finished his career as Temple’s all-time leader in assists and steals.

Rodgers was selected 5th overall by the Philadelphia Warriors in the 1958 NBA Draft and enjoyed a stellar professional career, earning four NBA All-Star selections. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2014, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest point guards in basketball history.