Is Jack McClinton Really Among Miami's Best Ever?

By Kartik Krishnaiyer
Canes Rising Staff

I've read all the accolades and have to admit, I too love Jack McClinton. But as someone who has watched UM Basketball closely since the program was resurrected in the mid 1980s, I find it somewhat hard to believe that Jack is considered by some the best player the Canes have had since Rick Barry.

No doubt, McClinton is good. He's helped save a program that quite frankly was beginning to wither on the vine a bit when he transferred in from Siena. But to call him our second best ever player is to disrespect the history of the program.

Here is my list of the top ten Hurricane Basketball players since 1985.

1- John Salmons

Salmons versatility and defensive abilities are legendary. A great ball handler and passer, Salmons also was a gifted slasher and did well on the boards also. He could knock down the three pointer and was a fiery leader and competitor. Playing on three NCAA tournament teams and being a top defensive stopper led Salmons to being a first round NBA pick in 2002.

The absolute hands down most complete player I have seen at Miami.

2- Tim James

The only Hurricane besides Rick Barry to currently have his jersey retired, James was an awesome athlete. A great rebounder despite being only 6'7'', he could make mid range jumpers and blocked many shots in key games for the Canes. Was Big East co-player of the year in 1999 with Richard Hamilton and led the Canes to an undefeated February as a Senior which included wins at UConn, St John's and Syracuse. Miami remains the only team ever to have beaten those three basketball powerhouses on the road in the same month.

3- Joe Wylie

An often forgotten about player who played during a forgettable era of UM Basketball. Wylie was a casualty of Prop 48 and played only three years as a collegian but was outstanding. Wylie had a strong mid range and post game and was drafted into the NBA.

4- Johnny Hemsley

If you wanted game winning shots, this was your man. Hemsley's statistics were deceiving. He often took ugly shots and seemed ineffective early in games or in blow outs. But if a key game was on the line, particularly on the road, he came up big, time and time again. Hemsely was all first team Big East in 1999 and 2000 and helped lead the Canes to the Big East Regular Season title in 2000.

5- Mario Bland

The heart and soul of Miami's outstanding teams of the late 90s, Bland was an undersized Center whose defensive work and rebounding prowess were remarkable. Miami made the NCAAs in all three of Bland's years as a starter.


6- Eric Brown

A classic slasher, Brown along with Dennis Burns were the Canes standout players when the program was resurrected. Brown improved dramatically as a senior leading the Canes to an upset of defending national champion Kansas on national TV.


7- Jack McClinton

Jack is better scorer than the guys ahead of him on this list but was limited defensively and proved time and time again to be a poor ball handler. ButMcClinton is the best three point shooter and free throw shooter in the school's history.

8- Rob Hite

Hite was an under rated rebounder and defender. Part of the reason the Canes did not get run off the court in the team's first two ACC seasons besides having a huge talent deficit with the rest of the league was Hite's scrappiness. How many other 6'2'' guards averaged almost six rebounds game in ACC play? He is knocked down this list lower than many would think because Hite had a propensity to disappear offensively in key games and key times. But one reason he doesn't fall of this list completely is because he never let offensive ruts affect his defnesive intensity unlike some other players who are not on this list despite being considered. (Constantin Popa, Steven Edwards and Elton Tyler)

9- James Jones

A consistent matchup problem for defenders, Jones could slash to the basket and also knock down the three point shot consistently. Jones was a bit of a tweener and sometimes didn't work as hard defensively as his team mates, but was a gifted shot blocker thanks to his athleticism. Has had a surprisingly long NBA career.

10- Guillermo Diaz

A raw undisciplined player who yet had such great athleticism he made a huge impact in ACC play. He gets knocked down this list for leaving early, despite not being an NBA First Round pick. Diaz also benefited greatly from Anthony Harris' willingness to handle the point guard duties as well as Rob Hite's defensive work. His atheleticism would have been wasted if not for the sacrifices of his back court mates.

Also considered: Dennis Burns, Jerome Scott, Constantin Popa, Steven Edwards, Kevin Norris, Vernon Jennings, Elton Tyler, Anthony King