18. Emeka Okafor (2004)
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Center Emeka Okafor was one of the most feared rim protectors in both the Big East and the country as a whole. The tenacious shot-blocker was the defensive anchor for the University of Connecticut, leaving Storrs with the most blocks in program history (441), and having been named the NABC Defensive Player of the Year in both 2003 and 2004.
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In the latter season, Okafor was named the Big East Player of the Year, and alongside future NBA players Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva, he led the Huskies to their second college basketball championship in six years.
He was named the NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player after said championship run.
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