The sharpshooter who surpassed Larry Bird in NCAA scoring history
In short: Prior to his NBA career, Doug McDermott reached a rare milestone: joining just three men's college players to tally 3,000 points alongside 1,000 rebounds. His prolific scoring at Creighton didn't just break school records; it rewrote the NCAA record books.
Doug McDermott’s collegiate career at Creighton was defined by extraordinary offensive efficiency and volume. During the 2013–14 season, he led the nation in scoring with an average of 26.7 points per game. Upon completing his final season, he had accumulated 3,150 career points, exceeding Hall of Famer Larry Bird to rank fifth in all-time NCAA Division I scoring. He achieved this feat while playing for the Bluejays. His scoring prowess was highlighted by a season-high 45 points scored during a single game against Providence.
His dominance was not limited to scoring alone. McDermott is one of only three players in NCAA men's basketball history to achieve the dual milestone of 3,000 points and 1,000 rebounds. He demonstrated exceptional scoring regularity, establishing an NCAA record by reaching double figures in 135 separate games. This prolific output earned him consensus national player of the year honors in 2014, sweeping major awards including the Wooden, Naismith, and AP awards. His consistency was further evidenced by his ability to score 20 or more points in multiple consecutive games. This remarkable run included three straight outings with at least 20 points.
McDermott's path to greatness was also marked by unique circumstances. After originally committing to Northern Iowa, he moved to Creighton to play for his father, Greg McDermott. During his final collegiate season, he actually relinquished his scholarship to play as a walk-on because the NCAA had granted a sixth year of eligibility to teammate Grant Gibbs, pushing Creighton over the 13-scholarship limit. Despite this, he remained the most dominant force in the country, becoming the first player in 29 years to earn first-team AP All-American honors three times. His collegiate journey was also shaped by his high school success in Iowa. He was a decorated All-State selection during his time at Ames High School.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Doug McDermott
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