The 25+ Best Florida State Seminoles Basketball Players Of All Time

Florida State might be known nationally as a football school, but if you’ve spent any time in the
Tucker Center with the chant echoing off the rafters, you know the truth: the Seminoles have quietly
built a rich, star-studded basketball tradition. From bruising bigs in the paint to smooth NBA wings
and dual-sport icons, Florida State basketball has produced some seriously good hoopers.

This list of the best Florida State Seminoles basketball players of all time looks at more than
just one hot season. We’re talking program legends who changed games, racked up stats, led deep
tournament runs, and helped turn FSU into a respected ACC force. Grab your garnet and goldlet’s
run through the all-time greats.

How We Ranked Florida State’s All-Time Best Hoopers

Before anyone gets mad in the comments, here’s how we weighed things. (Yes, we see you, angry
message-board guy.)

• College production: Points, rebounds, assists, defensive impactwhat they did in Tallahassee mattered most.
• Team success: ACC titles, NCAA tournament runs, and big-time March Madness moments.
• Awards & honors: All-ACC selections, All-America nods, defensive awards, and retired jerseys.
• Legacy and impact: Did they change the trajectory of the program? Are they still talked about today?
• Pro career as a tiebreaker: NBA success doesn’t create a Seminole legend, but it can separate two close candidates.

With those criteria in mind, here are the 25+ greatest Florida State basketball players ever.

The 25+ Best Florida State Seminoles Basketball Players Of All Time

1. Dave Cowens, C (Late 1960s)

If you’re starting an all-time Seminole lineup, you probably write in Dave Cowens’ name first and
then worry about everyone else. A ferocious rebounder and competitor, Cowens dominated the glass and
left FSU as one of the school’s all-time leaders in boards and scoring. He later became an NBA Hall
of Famer, but the legend started in Tallahassee, where his motor and toughness helped put Florida
State basketball on the national map.

2. Sam Cassell, G (Early 1990s)

Sam Cassell only needed two seasons in garnet and gold to become a Seminole icon. The crafty guard
could score, distribute, and hit big shots with a swagger that felt built for March. Cassell helped
lead FSU to deep NCAA tournament runs and went on to win multiple NBA championships. When you think
of Florida State guards who never looked scared of the moment, Cassell is near the top of the list.

3. Charlie Ward, G (Early 1990s)

Yes, he won the Heisman in football. Yes, he could’ve probably starred in any sport he tried. But
Charlie Ward was also a terrific point guard, a floor general who combined poise, defensive chops,
and playmaking. Ward piled up assists and steals, guided FSU through the brutal ACC schedule, and
turned the Seminoles into a nightmare matchup. He’s the ultimate “do-everything” Seminole.

4. Bob Sura, G (Early–Mid 1990s)

Bob Sura is one of those players who did a little bit of everythingand usually did it loudly.
A high-energy scoring guard, Sura filled the box score with points, rebounds, assists, and steals.
He left FSU near the top of multiple statistical categories and became a fan favorite for his
relentless style. If your team needed a spark, Sura lit the match.

5. George McCloud, G/F (Mid–Late 1980s)

Before “stretch wing” became a buzzword, George McCloud was already living it. A versatile scorer with
size and range, McCloud could attack off the bounce or kill defenses from outside. He earned All-America
recognition and helped carry FSU’s offense, then went on to a productive NBA career. For pure scoring
talent on the wing, he’s in the top tier of Seminoles.

6. Toney Douglas, G (Late 2000s)

When Florida State needed a bucket or a defensive stop in the late 2000s, Toney Douglas usually handled
it personally. A fierce on-ball defender and clutch scorer, Douglas powered FSU back to national relevance
with his two-way intensity. He was the face of Leonard Hamilton’s gritty, defensive-minded identity and
proved that the Seminoles could grind out wins against anyone.

7. Scottie Barnes, F (2020–2021)

Scottie Barnes spent just one season at Florida State, but what a season it was. The 6-foot-9 point-forward
showcased wild versatilityinitiating offense, guarding multiple positions, and injecting contagious energy
into every possession. Barnes fit Hamilton’s positionless system perfectly and parlayed that into being an
NBA lottery pick and Rookie of the Year. He’s the modern Seminole star: long, switchable, and fearless.

8. Al Thornton, F (Mid-2000s)

Al Thornton was a walking matchup problem. Too quick for bigs, too strong for wings, he bullied opponents
with mid-range jumpers, post-ups, and rim-rocking dunks. Thornton’s scoring binges and highlight plays made
him must-see TV in the mid-2000s, and he finished his career as one of the most productive forwards in
program history.

9. Malik Beasley, G (2015–2016)

Malik Beasley was another one-and-done star, but his impact was lasting. A smooth, explosive scorer, Beasley
gave Florida State a dynamic perimeter weapon who could score from anywhere on the floor. His shooting and
athleticism helped cement the perception of FSU as an NBA factory for modern-style wings and guards.

10. Jonathan Isaac, F (2016–2017)

Jonathan Isaac arrived at FSU looking like he’d been built in a lab for Leonard Hamilton’s defense: long,
springy, and surprisingly fluid. Isaac protected the rim, switched onto guards, and provided efficient
offense as a scorer and rebounder. His lone season helped push the Seminoles toward the sustained success
they enjoyed in the late 2010s.

11. Ron King, G/F (Early 1970s)

A star of Florida State’s 1972 NCAA Tournament runner-up squad, Ron King was a big-game performer in a
golden era for the program. He scored, defended, and stepped up against powerhouse opponents. When FSU came
painfully close to a national title, King was one of the key reasons they were even in the conversation.

12. Mitchell Wiggins, G (Early 1980s)

A pure scorer with NBA-level talent, Mitchell Wiggins lit up scoreboards in the early ’80s. He was a go-to
option offensively, able to attack the rim and hit tough shots over defenders. Wiggins helped keep Florida
State relevant on the national stage and set the standard for future high-octane scoring guards.

13. Tharon Mayes, G (Late 1980s)

Tharon Mayes brought flair and production to the Seminole backcourt. A creative scorer and playmaker, Mayes
put pressure on defenses in transition and in the half-court. His ability to take over games and his consistent
scoring made him one of the standout perimeter players of his era at FSU.

14. Michael Snaer, G (Late 2000s–Early 2010s)

Michael Snaer might be the king of clutch in Florida State history. He seemed to specialize in last-second
daggers, hitting game-winners that made ACC opponents very unhappy. Beyond the hero shots, Snaer was a tough
defender and steady leader, anchoring some of Hamilton’s most successful, defense-first teams.

15. Terance Mann, G/F (2015–2019)

Terance Mann didn’t have the one-and-done flash of some recent stars, but his four-year career is a master
class in steady growth. Mann became a versatile wing who could rebound, handle the ball, and guard multiple
positions. He helped lead FSU to deep NCAA tournament runs and became the ultimate “glue guy” who did whatever
the team needed.

16. Mfiondu Kabengele, F/C (2017–2019)

Mfiondu Kabengele embraced the role of super-sub and turned it into star power. Coming off the bench, he
brought instant offense, shot-blocking, and infectious energy. Kabengele was crucial in FSU’s tournament
success, proving that being the sixth man doesn’t mean being second-tier.

17. Bernard James, C (2010–2012)

Bernard James’ story is incredible: military veteran turned college basketball anchor. On the court, he was
the defensive backbone for FSU, swatting shots and controlling the paint. His maturity and defensive impact
helped the Seminoles win an ACC tournament title and become one of the most feared defensive units in the
country.

18. Douglas Edwards, F (Early 1990s)

Playing alongside stars like Sam Cassell and Charlie Ward, Douglas Edwards sometimes gets overshadowed, but
he absolutely shouldn’t. A rugged, skilled forward, Edwards rebounded, scored inside, and provided toughness
against the ACC’s best. His interior presence helped balance those star-studded FSU squads.

19. Trent Forrest, G (2016–2020)

Trent Forrest was the heartbeat of Florida State’s late-2010s teams. A big guard with a knack for defense and
clutch drives, Forrest brought leadership, stability, and toughness. He was never solely about statshe was
about winning plays, whether that meant a steal, a rebound, or drawing a foul in crunch time.

20. Chris Singleton, F (2008–2011)

Long arms, quick feet, and the ability to guard almost anyonethat’s Chris Singleton’s calling card. A
defensive ace who could also score and rebound, Singleton embodied the switchable, physical style that has
become Florida State’s trademark. When he was on the floor, opposing offenses had a problem.

21. Hugh Durham, G (1950s–1960s)

Many fans know Hugh Durham as the coach who later led FSU to the national title game, but he was also a standout
player. As a guard, Durham was a skilled scorer and floor leader, helping lay the foundation for the program’s
growth. He’s a rare case where one person shaped a school’s basketball history twiceonce on the court and once
on the sideline.

22. Reggie Royals, C (Early 1970s)

Reggie Royals was a force around the rim, a consistent rebounder and interior presence during some of FSU’s
most important early years. On that 1972 Final Four squad, his size and toughness gave the Seminoles a fighting
chance against the giants of college basketball. He’s a big reason those early teams could stand toe-to-toe
with national powers.

23. Dave Fedor, F/C (Early 1960s)

Dave Fedor was an early star who filled up the stat sheet, especially as a scorer and rebounder. Playing in an
era when FSU was still carving out its basketball identity, Fedor helped raise expectations for what Seminole
big men could be. His production still shows up in the record books.

24. Xavier Rathan-Mayes, G (2014–2017)

If you remember Xavier Rathan-Mayes, you probably remember the scoring explosionslike that famous outburst
where he nearly dragged FSU back from a huge deficit by himself. A creative combo guard, he brought flair,
deep range, and playmaking, helping bridge the gap into the program’s recent wave of NBA-bound talent.

25. Delvon Arrington, G (Late 1990s–Early 2000s)

Delvon Arrington may not always get the national love, but Seminole fans know how important he was. A classic
floor general, Arrington piled up assists and ran the offense with poise. In tight games, his ability to control
tempo and find the right teammate was invaluable.

26. Tim Pickett, G/F (Early 2000s)

Tim Pickett brought swagger, scoring, and defensive instincts to the wing spot. He could light it up from deep,
get into passing lanes, and change momentum with one big play. Pickett helped Florida State transition into the
ACC with confidence, showing that the Seminoles could hang with anyone.

27. Dwayne Bacon, G/F (2015–2017)

Dwayne Bacon arrived as a highly touted recruit and lived up to the hype. A strong, athletic wing, Bacon could
score in bunches and attack the rim with authority. His pairing with Malik Beasley and later with other future
pros helped make FSU one of the most intriguing up-and-coming programs in the country.

Honorable Mentions

With a program as deep as Florida State’s, some stars inevitably land just outside the top 25. Players like
Braian Angola, Toney Douglas’ backcourt running mates, and several recent NBA-bound bigs could all make a case.
The good news: the Seminoles’ all-time list keeps getting harder to crack, which is exactly what you want as a
fan.

What These Legends Mean to Florida State Basketball

Look across this list and you’ll notice a pattern: toughness, versatility, and defense. From Cowens to Cassell
to Barnes, Florida State greats rarely fit into neat little boxes. They’ve been multi-tool players who could
rebound, defend, handle the ball, and step up when the lights were brightest. That identity is why FSU has
become one of the ACC’s most respected programs.

These players also helped shape the Seminoles’ reputation as an NBA pipeline. When recruits see the names of
former Noles on NBA rosters and in highlight reels, they understand that Tallahassee can be a launchpad. At
the same time, long-time fans see these same names and remember specific gamesbig upsets, ACC thrillers,
and March Madness runs that turned casual followers into lifelong diehards.

The truth is, “best of all time” lists are never final. New stars will arrive, new banners will hang, and
someone will eventually force us to rearrange this ranking. But that’s part of the fun: every new season is
another chance to watch the next Seminole legend take shape.

Experiences: What It’s Like to Watch a Seminole Legend in Person

Reading stats and rankings is one thing. Feeling the energy of a Florida State star taking over a game is
something else entirely. Ask any fan who watched Sam Cassell shred a defense in the early ’90s or saw
Michael Snaer calmly walk the ball up the floor before drilling yet another game-winnerthe details may
blur, but the feeling sticks forever.

The experience usually starts well before tip-off. You’re walking toward the arena in a sea of garnet and
gold, hearing people argue about matchups, “keys to the game,” and which former Nole tonight’s star reminds
them of. Inside, the band is loud, the student section is louder, and there’s always that one fan who treats
every ACC regular-season game like the Final Four. (Honestly, we need that person. Never change.)

When an all-time great is on the floor, you can feel the crowd lean forward whenever the ball hits their
hands. With someone like Scottie Barnes, it might be a coast-to-coast drive that turns a broken play into
a highlight. With Al Thornton, it might be a perfectly timed spin move into a thunderous dunk. With Toney
Douglas, you could sense the collective confidence rise every time he dug in defensively or pulled up for
a jumper in crunch time.

There’s also a certain pride in witnessing a future pro while they’re still wearing a college jersey. When
Malik Beasley or Jonathan Isaac starts climbing draft boards, you can say, “I saw him before everyone else
caught on.” It’s like being in on the ground floor of a great band before they blow uponly this band can
dunk and block shots.

And then there are the small, personal moments that never show up in any box score. A star helping a younger
teammate up after a hard foul. A senior taking the time to acknowledge the student section on Senior Night.
A player jogging back on defense after missing a shot, clapping for the next play instead of sulking. Those
little glimpses of leadership and character are part of why certain names stick in fans’ memories long after
the last buzzer sounds.

Over time, those experiences add up. A kid who once sat in the upper deck watching Terance Mann or Trent
Forrest might grow up to bring their own kids to games, pointing at the rafters and explaining who Cowens,
Cassell, or Sura were. That’s how a program’s history stays alivenot just in record books and rankings,
but in stories passed down from fan to fan, generation to generation.

So when we talk about the best Florida State Seminoles basketball players of all time, we’re really talking
about more than just greatness on paper. We’re talking about late-night comebacks, rivalry wins, packed
student sections, and the shared joy (and occasional heartbreak) of caring deeply about a team. The names
on this list are the ones who made all of that feel worth itand the next great Seminole is probably already
dreaming about joining them.