March Madness Most Popular Players

SI Staff | Mar 16, 2014

March Madness Most Popular Players

Patric Young

Bill Frakes/SI

Patrick Young never expected to be a four-year player in college, but that's what he's become. And he's gained fame throughout Gainesville for his fierce on-court demeanor and his affable nature off the court. He's also donated a lot of his time to local charities.

Marcus Paige

Gerry Broome/AP

How could Marcus Paige not be popular? He had a go-ahead layup against Duke in the teams' first matchup that secured the upset, and he had a game-winning layup against in-state rival North Carolina State.

Russ Smith

Greg Nelson, Jeffery A. Salter/SI

You don't earn the nickname Russdiculous for no reason. Russ Smith has been commemorated in posters, videos and Internet memes because of his prolific scoring and fun-loving nature.

Doug McDermott

Greg Nelson, Al Tielemans/SI

What more is there to say about Dougie McBuckets? The Wooden Award he'll win at the end of this season will seal one of the best college careers in a generation.

Sean Kilpatrick

Al Behrman/AP

Sean Kilpatrick is a four-year starter and second all-time in points behind Oscar Robertson at Cincinnati. With the Bearcats, if your name is mentioned alongside Robertson, you've won.

Jabari Parker

Chris Keane/SI

The moment Jabari Parker chose Duke over ? well, any school would have taken him ? he was an instant favorite for the Cameron Crazies. And that's a fan base you want rooting for you, not against you.

Jahii Carson

Ralph Freso/Getty Images

Referred to as "Jahiisu," or, the savior of Arizona State basketball, Jahii Carson will increase his popularity if he can guide the Sun Devils to the Final Four.

Ron Baker

Greg Nelson/SI

A company made T-shirts featuring Ron Baker's flowing locks. He's become an icon for a twice-surprising Shockers team.

Shabazz Napier

Jessica Hill/AP

Shabazz Napier does everything on the court for Connecticut, leading the team in points, rebounds and assists. His penchant for game-winning shots has made him a Huskies legend.

Aaron Craft

Nati Harnik/AP; Todd Rosenberg/SI

Aaron Craft became famous for his stingy defense, and Luke Winn's Craftometer. He's a model teammate and roommate. (His roommates say he can "do no wrong.")

Ethan Wragge

Zach Bolinger/Icon SMI

Ethan Wragge has a cult following thanks to his prolific three-point shooting. If you have your own hashtag -- his is #wraggebombs -- then you know you've made it.

Nick Johnson

Porter Binks/SI; Chris Williams/Icon SMI

Not only is Nick Johnson the leading scorer for the Wildcats, but also he's their leading recruiter. He's been partly responsible for the commitments of Aaron Gordon and other elite prospects.