3 Shawnta Rogers
Men’s Basketball (1995-1999; Baltimore, Md.)
Many great basketball players establish their reputation by turning around and just dropping the ball through a hoop. For the 5-4 (if even that) Shawnta Rogers it was so much harder. But damned if he didn’t make it look so easy.
In 84 seasons of men’s basketball, Rogers is GW’s only conference player of the year (even Holup couldn’t rule the Southern Conference). He won the Francis Naismith award for the best player under 6-feet, but that went without saying. He was simply the greatest athlete GW has seen in 45 years.
Individual stats? He led the nation in steals, the A-10 in scoring, assists and free-throw percentage. Wins? He led GW to a Holup-tying 24 wins. Titles? He led GW to two shared A-10 West championships and one outright, GW’s first. NCAA appearances? Three. Memories? Please.
The man stopped growing a long time ago, but the legend never will.