List of NCAA Division I men's basketball season assists leaders
Encyclopedia
In basketball
, an assist
is a pass to a teammate that directly leads to a score by field goal
. The National Collegiate Athletic Association
's (NCAA) Division I assist title is awarded to the player with the highest assists per game average in a given season. The assist title was first recognized in the 1950–51 season when statistics on assists were first compiled by the NCAA, but there are no officially recorded assist leaders between 1952–53 and 1982–83. The NCAA did not split into its current divisions format until August 1973. From 1906 to 1955, there were no classifications to the NCAA nor its predecessor, the Intercollegiate Athletic Association of the United States (IAAUS). Then, from 1956 to 1973, colleges were classified as either "NCAA University Division (Major College)" or "NCAA College Division (Small College)".
Avery Johnson
of Southern University
holds the all-time NCAA Division I record for single–season assists per game (apg) average (13.30), which he accomplished in 1987–88. He also recorded 399 assists that season, which is the second–highest single–season mark behind UNLV
's Mark Wade
's record of 406, which occurred in 1986–87. From 1952–53 to 1982–83, the official NCAA record book has no assists per game leaders.
Only two players have earned multiple scoring titles: Avery Johnson of Southern (1987, 1988) and Jared Jordan
of Marist (2006, 2007). There has been one tie for the national assists leader, which happened during the 2004–05 season
when Damitrius Coleman of Mercer and Will Funn of Portland State
recorded identical season statistics: 28 games played, 224 total assists and an 8.00 apg average.
Through 2011, only one freshman
and one sophomore
have ever led Division I in average assists; in 2001–02
, T. J. Ford
of Texas
compiled 8.27 apg as a freshman, and in 1993–94 Jason Kidd
of California compiled 9.07 apg as a sophomore.
Two players born outside the United States have led Division I in assists—1995–96 leader Raimonds Miglinieks
of UC Irvine, born in modern-day Latvia
(the Latvian SSR of the Soviet Union
at the time of his birth), and 1999–2000 leader Mark Dickel
of UNLV
, born in New Zealand
.
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
, an assist
Assist (basketball)
In basketball, an assist is attributed to a player who passes the ball to a teammate in a way that leads to a score by field goal, meaning that he or she was "assisting" in the basket. There is some judgment involved in deciding whether a passer should be credited with an assist...
is a pass to a teammate that directly leads to a score by field goal
Field goal (basketball)
In basketball, the term field goal refers to a basket scored on any shot or tap other than a free throw, worth two or three points depending on the distance of the attempt from the basket. "Field Goal" is the official terminology used by the National Basketball Association in their rule book,...
. The National Collegiate Athletic Association
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
's (NCAA) Division I assist title is awarded to the player with the highest assists per game average in a given season. The assist title was first recognized in the 1950–51 season when statistics on assists were first compiled by the NCAA, but there are no officially recorded assist leaders between 1952–53 and 1982–83. The NCAA did not split into its current divisions format until August 1973. From 1906 to 1955, there were no classifications to the NCAA nor its predecessor, the Intercollegiate Athletic Association of the United States (IAAUS). Then, from 1956 to 1973, colleges were classified as either "NCAA University Division (Major College)" or "NCAA College Division (Small College)".
Avery Johnson
Avery Johnson
Avery Johnson is a former American professional basketball player and current head coach of the National Basketball Association team New Jersey Nets. He has also coached the Dallas Mavericks, leading them to their first NBA Finals appearance and four consecutive 50+ win seasons...
of Southern University
Southern University
Southern University and A&M College is a historically black college located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The Baton Rouge campus is located on Scott’s Bluff overlooking the Mississippi River in the northern section...
holds the all-time NCAA Division I record for single–season assists per game (apg) average (13.30), which he accomplished in 1987–88. He also recorded 399 assists that season, which is the second–highest single–season mark behind UNLV
UNLV Runnin' Rebels basketball
The UNLV Runnin' Rebels are a NCAA Division I men's basketball team who play at the Thomas & Mack Center in Paradise, Nevada. Their most recent appearance in the NCAA Tournament was in 2011 when they received an at–large bid to the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament, earning an 8-seed in...
's Mark Wade
Mark Wade
Mark Anthony Wade is a retired American professional basketball player. A and point guard, Wade played college basketball at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas where in 1986–87 he set the NCAA record for assists in a season, with 406...
's record of 406, which occurred in 1986–87. From 1952–53 to 1982–83, the official NCAA record book has no assists per game leaders.
Only two players have earned multiple scoring titles: Avery Johnson of Southern (1987, 1988) and Jared Jordan
Jared Jordan
Jared Ahern Jordan is an American professional basketball player.-College career:Jordan, who graduated from Kingswood-Oxford School in West Hartford, Connecticut in 2003, became the point guard for the Marist College basketball team until his graduation in 2007...
of Marist (2006, 2007). There has been one tie for the national assists leader, which happened during the 2004–05 season
2004–05 NCAA Division I men's basketball season
The 2004–05 NCAA Division I men's basketball season began on November 10, 2004, progressed through the regular season and conference tournaments, and concluded with the 2005 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament Championship Game on April 2, 2005 at the Edward Jones Dome in Saint Louis,...
when Damitrius Coleman of Mercer and Will Funn of Portland State
Portland State Vikings men's basketball
The Portland State Vikings men's basketball team represents Portland State University in Portland, Oregon. The team was also once referred to as "The Park Block Bombers" in reference to the school's proximity to Portland's string of park blocks. The school's team competes in the Big Sky Conference...
recorded identical season statistics: 28 games played, 224 total assists and an 8.00 apg average.
Through 2011, only one freshman
Freshman
A freshman or fresher is a first-year student in secondary school, high school, or college. The term first year can also be used as a noun, to describe the students themselves A freshman (US) or fresher (UK, India) (or sometimes fish, freshie, fresher; slang plural frosh or freshmeat) is a...
and one sophomore
Sophomore
Sophomore is a term used in the United States to describe a student in the second year of study at high school or university.The word is also used as a synonym for "second", for the second album or EP released by a musician or group, the second movie of a director, or the second season of a...
have ever led Division I in average assists; in 2001–02
2001–02 NCAA Division I men's basketball season
The 2001–02 NCAA Division I men's basketball season began on November 9, 2001, progressed through the regular season and conference tournaments, and concluded with the 2002 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament Championship Game on April 1, 2002 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia...
, T. J. Ford
T. J. Ford
Terrance Jerod "T. J." Ford is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for KK Zagreb. Having been awarded numerous top basketball accolades in high school and college, Ford entered the 2003 NBA Draft and was selected eighth overall by the Milwaukee Bucks...
of Texas
Texas Longhorns men's basketball
The Texas Longhorns men's basketball team represents The University of Texas at Austin in NCAA Division I men's basketball competition. The Longhorns currently compete in the Big 12 Conference....
compiled 8.27 apg as a freshman, and in 1993–94 Jason Kidd
Jason Kidd
Jason Frederick Kidd is an American professional basketball point guard who plays for the Dallas Mavericks of the National Basketball Association. Raised in Oakland, California, Kidd played college basketball at the University of California, Berkeley and was drafted second overall by the Dallas...
of California compiled 9.07 apg as a sophomore.
Two players born outside the United States have led Division I in assists—1995–96 leader Raimonds Miglinieks
Raimonds Miglinieks
Raimonds Miglinieks is a retired Latvian professional basketball player. Standing at 1.88 m, he was a point guard with excellent court vision, which allowed him to lead the 2001 Euroleague in assists with 7 per game.He has played in the Euroleague for Śląsk Wrocław and CSKA...
of UC Irvine, born in modern-day Latvia
Latvia
Latvia , officially the Republic of Latvia , is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by Estonia , to the south by Lithuania , to the east by the Russian Federation , to the southeast by Belarus and shares maritime borders to the west with Sweden...
(the Latvian SSR of the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
at the time of his birth), and 1999–2000 leader Mark Dickel
Mark Dickel
Mark Dickel is a New Zealand professional basketball player. He also holds Australian citizenship. He plays the point guard position, and played the 2011 NBL season for the Southland Sharks, which saw him play under his brother.-College career:Dickel played college basketball in the U.S...
of UNLV
UNLV Runnin' Rebels basketball
The UNLV Runnin' Rebels are a NCAA Division I men's basketball team who play at the Thomas & Mack Center in Paradise, Nevada. Their most recent appearance in the NCAA Tournament was in 2011 when they received an at–large bid to the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament, earning an 8-seed in...
, born in New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
.
Key
| Pos. | G | F | C | APG | Ref. |
| Position Basketball position The three basketball positions normally employed by organized basketball teams are guard, forward, and center. More specifically, they can be classified into the five positions: point guard, shooting guard, small forward, power forward, and center. The rules of basketball do not mandate them, and... |
Guard | Forward | Center | Assists per game Assist (basketball) In basketball, an assist is attributed to a player who passes the ball to a teammate in a way that leads to a score by field goal, meaning that he or she was "assisting" in the basket. There is some judgment involved in deciding whether a passer should be credited with an assist... |
References |
| Class (Cl.) key | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fr | Freshman Freshman A freshman or fresher is a first-year student in secondary school, high school, or college. The term first year can also be used as a noun, to describe the students themselves A freshman (US) or fresher (UK, India) (or sometimes fish, freshie, fresher; slang plural frosh or freshmeat) is a... |
So | Sophomore Sophomore Sophomore is a term used in the United States to describe a student in the second year of study at high school or university.The word is also used as a synonym for "second", for the second album or EP released by a musician or group, the second movie of a director, or the second season of a... |
Jr | Junior Junior (education) "Junior" is a term used in the United States to describe a student in their 3rd year of study . A Junior is considered an upperclassman... |
Sr | Senior Senior (education) Senior is a term used in the United States to describe a student in the 4th year of study .-High school:... |
| * | Elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame |
| † | Denotes a tie for the season's assists leader |
| Player (X) | Denotes the number of times the player had been the assists leader up to and including that season |
Assists leaders
| Season | Player | Pos. | Cl. | Team | Games played |
Assists Assist (basketball) In basketball, an assist is attributed to a player who passes the ball to a teammate in a way that leads to a score by field goal, meaning that he or she was "assisting" in the basket. There is some judgment involved in deciding whether a passer should be credited with an assist... |
APG | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950–51 | G | Toledo Toledo Rockets men's basketball The Toledo Rockets team is the basketball team that represent the University of Toledo in Toledo, Ohio. The school's team currently competes in the Mid-American Conference. The team last played in the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament in 1980. Stan Joplin was released from his duties as... |
29 | 210 | 7.24 | |||
| 1951–52 1951–52 NCAA men's basketball season -Harlem Globetrotters vs. Seattle University:On January 21, 1952, the Harlem Globetrotters played Seattle in a game designed to raise funds for the United States Olympic efforts. Five days before the game was held, Royal Brougham received a call from Howard Hobson, who was the Yale basketball coach... |
G | Boston College Boston College Eagles men's basketball The Boston College Eagles are a Division I college basketball program that represents Boston College in Chestnut Hill, MA. The team has competed in the ACC since 2005, having previously played in the Big East. Home games have been played at the Conte Forum since 1988, having previously been played... |
27 | 213 | 7.89 | |||
| 1953–83 | |
|||||||
| 1983–84 | G | Illinois–Chicago UIC Flames men's basketball The UIC Flames men's basketball team represents the University of Illinois at Chicago in Chicago, Illinois, United States. The school's team currently competes in the Horizon League, in which it has competed since the 1994-95 season. The Flames are currently coached by Howard Moore.-NCAA... |
29 | 274 | 9.45 | |||
| 1984–85 | G | Hofstra | 24 | 228 | 9.50 | |||
| 1985–86 | G | St. John's St. John's Red Storm men's basketball The St. John's Red Storm men's basketball team represents the St. John's University in Queens, New York. The team participates in the Big East Conference. The men’s coach Norm Roberts was fired on March 19, 2010... |
36 | 328 | 9.11 | |||
| 1986–87 | G | Southern U. | 31 | 333 | 10.74 | |||
| 1987–88 | (2) | G | Southern U. | 30 | 399 | 13.30 | ||
| 1988–89 | G | Holy Cross Holy Cross Crusaders men's basketball The Holy Cross Crusaders men's basketball team represents the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts, in NCAA Division I competition. The team competes in the Patriot League and plays their home games in the Hart Center... |
28 | 278 | 9.93 | |||
| 1989–90 | G | Drexel Drexel Dragons men's basketball The Drexel Dragons men's basketball program represents intercollegiate men's basketball at Drexel University. The team currently competes in the Colonial Athletic Association in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association and play home games at the Daskalakis Athletic Center in... |
28 | 260 | 9.29 | |||
| 1990–91 | G | NC State NC State Wolfpack men's basketball The NC State Wolfpack men's basketball team represents North Carolina State University in NCAA Division I men's basketball competition. The Wolfpack currently competes in the Atlantic Coast Conference, of which it was a founding member.... |
31 | 299 | 9.65 | |||
| 1991–92 | G | Tennessee Tech | 29 | 254 | 8.76 | |||
| 1992–93 | G | New Mexico State New Mexico State Aggies men's basketball The New Mexico State Aggies Basketball team is the basketball team that represents New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Founded in 1904, the Aggies currently compete in the Western Athletic Conference and last played in the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament in 2010... |
34 | 310 | 9.12 | |||
| 1993–94 | G | California | 30 | 272 | 9.07 | |||
| 1994–95 | G | Baylor Baylor Bears men's basketball The Baylor Bears basketball team represents Baylor University in Waco, Texas, in NCAA Division I men's basketball competition. The Bears compete in the Big 12 Conference. The team plays its home games in Ferrell Center and is currently coached by Scott Drew.... |
28 | 284 | 10.14 | |||
| 1995–96 | G | UC Irvine | 27 | 230 | 8.52 | |||
| 1996–97 | G | Dartmouth | 26 | 203 | 7.81 | |||
| 1997–98 | G | Arizona State | 32 | 294 | 9.19 | |||
| 1998–99 1998–99 NCAA Division I men's basketball season The 1998–99 NCAA Division I men's basketball season concluded in the 64-team 1999 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament whose finals were held at Tropicana Field in . The Connecticut Huskies earned their first national championship by defeating the Duke Blue Devils 77–74 on March 29, 1999... |
G | Oklahoma State | 34 | 299 | 8.79 | |||
| 1999–00 | G | UNLV UNLV Runnin' Rebels basketball The UNLV Runnin' Rebels are a NCAA Division I men's basketball team who play at the Thomas & Mack Center in Paradise, Nevada. Their most recent appearance in the NCAA Tournament was in 2011 when they received an at–large bid to the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament, earning an 8-seed in... |
31 | 280 | 9.03 | |||
| 2000–01 2000–01 NCAA Division I men's basketball season The 2000–01 NCAA Division I men's basketball season began on November 8, 2000, progressed through the regular season and conference tournaments, and concluded with the 2001 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament Championship Game on April 2, 2001 at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in... |
G | Cal State Northridge Cal State Northridge Matadors men's basketball The Cal State Northridge Matadors basketball team is college basketball program representing California State University, Northridge. The team currently competes in the Big West Conference of the NCAA's Division I. The Matadors' current head coach is Bobby Braswell.-History:Until 1972, the school... |
32 | 286 | 8.94 | |||
| 2001–02 2001–02 NCAA Division I men's basketball season The 2001–02 NCAA Division I men's basketball season began on November 9, 2001, progressed through the regular season and conference tournaments, and concluded with the 2002 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament Championship Game on April 1, 2002 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia... |
G | Texas Texas Longhorns men's basketball The Texas Longhorns men's basketball team represents The University of Texas at Austin in NCAA Division I men's basketball competition. The Longhorns currently compete in the Big 12 Conference.... |
33 | 273 | 8.27 | |||
| 2002–03 2002–03 NCAA Division I men's basketball season The 2002–03 NCAA Division I men's basketball season began on November 10, 2002, progressed through the regular season and conference tournaments, and concluded with the 2003 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament Championship Game on April 7, 2003 at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans,... |
G | Illinois–Chicago UIC Flames men's basketball The UIC Flames men's basketball team represents the University of Illinois at Chicago in Chicago, Illinois, United States. The school's team currently competes in the Horizon League, in which it has competed since the 1994-95 season. The Flames are currently coached by Howard Moore.-NCAA... |
30 | 244 | 8.13 | |||
| 2003–04 2003–04 NCAA Division I men's basketball season The 2003–04 NCAA Division I men's basketball season began on November 10, 2003, progressed through the regular season and conference tournaments, and concluded with the 2004 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament Championship Game on April 5, 2004 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas... |
G | Troy Troy Trojans basketball The Troy University men's basketball team is currently under the direction of head coach Don Maestri. Head coach Don Maestri is the winningest coach in Troy University history and has won numerous conference coach-of-the-year awards during his tenure... |
31 | 256 | 8.26 | |||
| 2004–05 2004–05 NCAA Division I men's basketball season The 2004–05 NCAA Division I men's basketball season began on November 10, 2004, progressed through the regular season and conference tournaments, and concluded with the 2005 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament Championship Game on April 2, 2005 at the Edward Jones Dome in Saint Louis,... † |
G | Mercer | 28 | 224 | 8.00 | |||
| 2004–05 2004–05 NCAA Division I men's basketball season The 2004–05 NCAA Division I men's basketball season began on November 10, 2004, progressed through the regular season and conference tournaments, and concluded with the 2005 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament Championship Game on April 2, 2005 at the Edward Jones Dome in Saint Louis,... † |
G | Portland State Portland State Vikings men's basketball The Portland State Vikings men's basketball team represents Portland State University in Portland, Oregon. The team was also once referred to as "The Park Block Bombers" in reference to the school's proximity to Portland's string of park blocks. The school's team competes in the Big Sky Conference... |
28 | 224 | 8.00 | |||
| 2005–06 2005–06 NCAA Division I men's basketball season The 2005–06 NCAA Division I men's basketball season began on November 6, 2005, progressed through the regular season and conference tournaments, and concluded with the 2006 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament Championship Game on April 3, 2006 at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis, Indiana... |
G | Marist | 29 | 247 | 8.52 | |||
| 2006–07 | (2) | G | Marist | 33 | 286 | 8.67 | ||
| 2007–08 | G | Davidson Davidson Wildcats men's basketball The Davidson Wildcats basketball team is the basketball team that represents Davidson College in Davidson, North Carolina, in the NCAA Division I. The school's team currently competes in the Southern Conference. The team last played in the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament in 2008. The... |
36 | 293 | 8.14 | |||
| 2008–09 2008–09 NCAA Division I men's basketball season The 2008–09 NCAA Division I men's basketball season began on November 10, 2008 and ended with the 2009 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament's championship game on April 6, 2009 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. The season saw six different teams achieve the AP #1 ranking during the... |
G | Oakland Oakland Golden Grizzlies men's basketball The Oakland Golden Grizzlies are the men's basketball team that represent Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan, USA. The school's team competes in The Summit League and plays their home games at the Athletics Center O'Rena. The Golden Grizzlies are coached by Greg Kampe... |
36 | 290 | 8.06 | |||
| 2009–10 2009–10 NCAA Division I men's basketball season The 2009–10 NCAA Division I men's basketball season began on November 9, 2009, and ended with the 2010 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament's championship game on April 5, 2010 on the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The opening round occurred on Tuesday, March 16, 2010, followed by first... |
G | Siena Siena Saints men's basketball The Siena Saints men's basketball team represents Siena College in Loudonville, New York, United States. The Division I program competes in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. The Saints are coached by Mitch Buonaguro who just completed his first season as head coach at Siena after serving as... |
34 | 261 | 7.67 | |||
| 2010–11 2010–11 NCAA Division I men's basketball season The 2010–11 NCAA Division I men's basketball season began on November 8, 2010 with the preliminary games of the 2010 Coaches Vs. Cancer Classic, and ended with the 2011 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament's championship game on April 4, 2011 at Reliant Stadium in Houston... |
G | UAB UAB Blazers men's basketball The UAB Blazers men's basketball team represents the University of Alabama at Birmingham in the National Collegiate Athletic Association's Division I men's college basketball, and have competed in Conference USA since 1995... |
31 | 239 | 7.70 | |||