So Cal's All-Time Roster: No. 35
No. 35:
Our pick:
==Sidney Wicks, UCLA basketball ('68-'71)
The Hamilton High star and a transfer from Santa Monica City College, Sidney Wick was a backup forward for Curtis Rowe and Lynn Shackelford and averaged 7.5 points per game off the bench as a sophomore. Yet, coach John Wooden knew something about him. "Sidney Wicks is the most physically talented player I have ever coached," Wooden said. Wicks took charge the season Lew Alcindo graduated, leading the team in scoring with 18.6 points per game and in rebounding with 11.9 rebounds per game as a junior. In the NCAA title game against Jacksonville and 7-foot-2 Artis Gilmore, the 6-foot-8 Wicks blocked Gilmore five times, out rebounded him 18-16, and held him to 9-for-20 shooting in an 80-69 UCLA win. Wicks was named Most Outstanding Player in the NCAA Championship. As a senior, he led the Bruins to the title again with a 21.3 points per game average and 12.8 rebounds. A sore foot prevented him from only a token appearance in the '71 NCAA title victory. He was first-team All-American.
The second pick overall in the '71 NBA draft by Portland, the Rookie of the Year ended up playing 10 seasons in the league and made four All-Star teams. After that, he was a UCLA assistant for four seasons.
Runner up:
==Jean-Sebastien Giguere, Ducks ('00- )
2003 Conn Smythe Trophy winner leading the Ducks to the Stanley Cup finals.
==Bob Welch, Dodgers ('78-87)
Fanned Reggie Jackson with the bases loaded and two out in the bottom of the ninth inning of Game 2 of the 1978 World Series, if that's worth anything.
Other No. 35s:
==Mark Madsen, Lakers ('00-'03)
==Jim Gott, Dodgers ('92-'94)
==Kermit Alexander, Rams ('70-'71)
==Loy Vaught, Clippers ('90-'98)
==Fred Slaughter, UCLA basketball ('61-'64)
==Chris Kaman, Clippers ('03- )
==Petros Papadakis, USC football ('97, '98, '00)
Tailback was captain of the worst football team in USC history; also worn by brother Taso as a linebacker/fullback ('94, '96)
Sports Illustrated's pick for all-time No. 35: Phil Niekro, over Frank Thomas.
Did we miss anyone?
You've got our vote, now let's see yours: