The three Cyclone basketball players who made you the fan you are today

[Die4Cy]

Who are the three Cyclone basketball players who most contributed to your love of Hilton and Cyclone basketball? It doesn't have to be the greatest player you ever saw play or a huge statistical performer. Who did you watch play that made you identify as a Cyclone fan from the start, or turned you into the fan you are today?

For me coming of age as a sports fan, it was Barry Stevens, Jeff Grayer, and Justus Thigpen. I spent so many hours in the driveway pretending to be one of them. I saw Jeff Grayer in an airport once a few years ago and was too star struck to go talk to him. Justus was a junior the year I arrived at ISU, and put up some legendary performances that year including the famous floor shaker against OSU and a buzzer beater against KU. Barry was pure talent, so damn smooth. All were Flint guys Johnny got to come to Ames.

Who were yours?

 

[carvers4math]

Barry Stevens, Jeff Hornacek, and Georges Niang

 

[FerShizzle]

Thigpen, Hoiberg, Willoughby

 

[CyCrazy]

Fizer, Tinsley, Willougby

 

[Winchester]

Stevens, Grayer, Tinsley

 

[madguy30]

It's my earliest real memories and likely the first impression sticking but Thigpen, Hoiberg and Michalik (SP?).

Justice was Johnny Ball defined.

 

[Candide]

Hoiberg, Big Vic Alexander, Julius Michalik.

Honorable mention to Jacy Holloway, Brian Pearson, Loren Meyer and in a weird way, Sam Mack.

 

[Hammerschlagen]

Tinley and Fizer are the only two for me.

At the same time was Cael Sanderson, Sage Rosenfels, and Seneca Wallace. Throw in Dan MacCarney.
Those guys pretty much solidified my cyclone fandom.
I was 7-12 years old during that time period
Edit: I’d also like to add Pete Taylor as a very influential cyclone

 

[Nococy]

Stevens Hornacek and Grayer

 

[CloniesForLife]

White, Niang and Ejim. HM for Hogue, Morris, Naz and Kane

 

[Die4Cy]

Hoiberg, Big Vic Alexander, Julius Michalik.

Honorable mention to Jacy Holloway, Brian Pearson, Loren Meyer and in a weird way, Sam Mack.

Big Vic Energy!

 

[kkise]

Stevens Hornacek and Grayer

Ditto.

 

[Jer]

I was already a big fan, but there was no bigger example of being a Cyclone at the time than Dedric Willoughby. He was electric, fit the team well, and was light's out from 3.

 

[Die4Cy]

What a shot of adrenaline to ISU basketball when the Flint pipeline opened up.

 

[JP4CY]

Michalik, Cato, Niang

HM: seeing Thug Life kiss Hilton center court.

 

[cyfanatic13]

13 has been my favorite number since I was a kid because of Rahshon Clark. I was a huge Craig Brackins fan as a middle schooler. Tyrus McGee is my favorite "non star" ISU player ever so I'll say those three.

I'd put Niang, Morris, etc. up there but I was already a huge fan by that point

 

[clonedude]

Stevens, Grayer, Tinsley

Those are mine too. Man…. I’m old.

 

[kentkel]

Stevens Hornacek and Grayer

This is my answer!

 

[cyclones500]

Echoing several people's choices -- Stevens, Grayer, Hornacek. That's when I first experienced Hilton.

Going back to mostly-radio exposure, I have a soft spot for Orr's first team including Robert Estes, Ron Harris and Lefty Moore (Terrence Allen was a freshman that season, too).

 

[KnappShack]

Hester, Beechum, and Modderman