UCLA Basketball Top 20 Players of All Time: No. 19

This Bruin had one of the best four-year careers in UCLA history.

Dec 19, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; The UCLA Bruins basketball logo at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect

As we inch closer to the beginning of the college basketball season, we’re counting down the top-20 players in UCLA’s storied history. 

As we mentioned last time, the ranking accounts for statistical and team success most heavily. NBA success and overall influence are also considered, but carry less weight.

Dec 17, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; The UCLA Bruins logo at midcourt at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect

No. 19 is a player who had a major influence on UCLA in the early-to-mid nineties and was an integral part of helping the Bruins win their eleventh championship. 

UCLA Basketball Top 20 Players of All Time: No. 19 Tyus Edney

Edney was a four-year guard at UCLA, beginning in the 1991-92 season under head coach Jim Harrick. In his freshman season with the Bruins, he started only four games, but refused to sit on the bench in the next three seasons.

April 3, 1995; Seattle, WA; NCAA46: Tyus Edney cuts the net after UCLA's victory. He sat out the game with an injury. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro/USA TODAY-USA TODAY NETWORK | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect

From his sophomore to senior year, Edney started every game he played for the Bruins and averaged 14.4 points over the course of those three years. He also took home three consecutive First Team All-PAC-10 selections.

During his first three seasons at UCLA, the Bruins didn’t see much overall team success. While they won the PAC-10 and made an Elite Eight run in his freshman season, the next two years the Bruins came up short. A second- and first-round exit followed Edney’s freshman season.

March 23, 1995; Oakland, CA; UCLA's Tyus Edney drives on Miss. State's Erick Dampier during first half action. Dampier fouled Edney on the play and the UCLA guard sand the free throw for a three-point play. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro/USA TODAY-USA TODAY NETWORK | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect

It wasn’t until Edney’s senior season in 1994-95 that the Bruins added another National Championship. Edney, among others, led the Bruins to a 31-2 season and capped it off with a National Championship victory over Arkansas. 

Coast-to-Coast Game Winner

However, UCLA wouldn’t have even gotten to the National Championship game without Edney. When facing Missouri in the second round of the tournament, the Bruins faced a 74-73 deficit with 4.8 seconds to go. From there, Edney made history as he took the inbound and delivered a coast-to-coast game-winning layup that allowed the Bruins to advance. 

April 3, 1995; Seattle, WA; UCLA's Tyus Edney holds the championship trophy as teammate looks on Monday night. From left: Cameron Dollar, Kris Johnson, Charles O'Bannon, Edney with trophy. Mandatory Credit: Eileen Blass/USA TODAY-USA TODAY NETWORK | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect

That season, Edney averaged 14.3 points, 6.8 assists, 2.3 steals, and 3.1 rebounds per game. 

Following his collegiate success, his NBA career was short-lived. Edney was drafted by the Sacramento Kings with the 47th pick in the second round of the 1995 NBA Draft, and eventually bounced around many international teams before calling it quits in 2010.

Edney was elected to the UCLA Hall of Fame in 2009 and the Pac-12 Hall of Honor in 2014. He certainly made a lasting impact as one of the best four-year players to ever come through the UCLA program.