The Big Ten Network has named Purdue’s John Wooden as Big Ten Icon No. 12.
Big Ten Icons, the network’s most ambitious multi-platform initiative to date, is counting down the top 50 student-athletes in Big Ten history based solely on their collegiate playing careers. The countdown continues at 9 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Nov. 9, with a profile of the Boilermaker legend and college basketball’s first three-time All-American.
In three seasons at Purdue, Wooden led the Boilermakers to a 42-8 overall record, a 29-5 Big Ten mark, two league championships and the consensus 1932 national title (prior to the creation of the NCAA Tournament).
In addition to becoming the first three-time consensus All-American in college basketball history, Wooden was named the 1932 National Player of the Year. Nicknamed the “Indiana Rubber Man” for his hard-nosed play and propensity for diving for loose balls, Wooden was also a three-time first-team All-Big Ten and All-Midwestern selection during his time with the Boilermakers.
In September, Purdue’s North University Drive, between Stadium and Cherry, was renamed John R. Wooden Drive in the late legend’s honor.
To read an essay on Wooden and learn more about his accomplishments, visit his Big Ten Icons locker at BigTenIcons.com.
New episodes of the 20-episode television series, hosted by legendary broadcaster Keith Jackson, debut at 9 p.m. ET every Tuesday night through the end of football season and into the spring.