The NCAA Tournament is many sports fans' favorite event for obvious reasons. The brackets. The upsets. The The madness.
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That's all fine and dandy, but with all due respect to the hard-working players and coaches — and for the purpose of this article — I really don't care. Throw out the box scores, the seeds and the rest of the stuff KenPom or Joe Lunardi tear their hair out over.
I wanted to know the very best names in the tournament. Yes, that's right. I'm talking about the funny, the unusual and the just plain bizarre. I'm talking about dudes who have the same first name and last name. The guys whose names just roll right off the tongue.
Without further ado, here are the 50 most terrific names in the 2022 NCAA Men's Tournament.
50 Greatest Player Names From 2022 NCAA Tournament
50. Abe Eagle, Gonzaga
I mean, I'm always down for the nation's premier bird.
49. LJ Cryer, Baylor
Legend has it he complains every single game. With a last name like that, it's not surprising.
48. Jon Tchamwa Tchatchoua, Baylor
This is one of those ones that Charles Barkley would read and have no idea how to pronounce. Honestly, A+.
47. Mitch Lightfoot, Kansas
The last name along tells you his story.
46. Babatunde Akingbola, Auburn
Remember what I said about rolling right off the tongue?
45. Chandler Leopard, Auburn
A guy with the last name Leopard plays for the Tigers. Oh yeah, we're here for this one.
44. Tyty Washington Jr., Kentucky
Congrats on Tyty for having the name of what I say when I'm tired and want to go to bed.
43. Dhamir Cosby-Roundtree, Villanova
It's just fun to say. Try it three times fast.
42. Justin Taphorn, Wisconsin
Justin's parents probably could've gotten more creative, but it's still a great last name.
41. Harrison Hoofkin, Ohio State
I don't know why, but I love saying his name.
40. Kofi Cockburn, Illinois
I swear Kofi Cockburn sounds British. Say it with the accent and you'll see.
39. Johnny Juzang, UCLA
Try not to tell me this isn't a pro surfer. Do ti.
38. Taze Moore, Houston
OK, I added him because his name is basically a sentence a cop would say. "Tase more!" You know, like a Taser? No?
37. Yigit Arcan, St. Mary's
Solely for the first name. Yigit would you deserve when you try to guard Mr. Arcan.
36. Dan Fotu, St. Mary's
Unscramble that last name, and you'll see why I picked the Tofu God!
35. Baylor Hebb, Colorado State
I'm just really disappointed he doesn't player for Baylor. Missed opportunity.
34. Alex Fudge, LSU
Remember that Key and Peele skit where they create wild and obnoxious football names? Fudge is literally one of them. I couldn't stop thinking about that with Alex Fudge.
33. Christian Bishop, Texas
His name is basically a freakin' oxymoron. Love it.
32. Trae Hannibal, Murray State
I'm sorry, but Trae needs some sort of Hannibal Lecter nickname. He HAS to devour opponents on the court.
31. Justice Sueing, Ohio State
Again, two names that just make sense together. Sometimes justice requires a lawsuit.
30. Flo Thamba, Baylor
Tell me this isn't Mo Bamba coming back under a new alias.
29. Boogie Ellis, USC
Probably the best first name here.
28. Sami Osmani, Creighton
Consider the tongue rolled off.
27. Modestas Kancleris, Creighton
Not even sure where to begin with this one. I just really love the name Modestas.
26. Landers Nolley II, Memphis
Again, this just feels British. Like, travel to England and you'll probably meet three men with the name Landers Nolley II.
25. Sam Onu, Memphis
He's literally ON YOU. You can't shake him off.
24. Michael Katsock, Davidson
This might be one of the cuter names. Just think about a cat wearing a sock.
23. Kameron McGusty, Miami
This one is so big-brained. This dude plays for the Hurricanes and is name is McGUSTY. The nicknames and chants just write themselves.
22. Justin Bieker, San Francisco
Please please please look this man up on Google. His name sounds like Justin Bieber and he looks like the Biebs if the Biebs had a mullet.
21. Kobe Bufkin, Michigan
You think he yells out his own name when he throws a paper ball into the garbage?
20. Storm Murphy, Virginia Tech
Storm is such a great name, but I really need him to play the Hurricanes. Or the Iowa State Cyclones.
19. Sir'Jabari Rice, New Mexico State
Dare I say this one sounds British too? He might as well be a knight!
18. Akok Akok, UConn
And thus begins the run of guys with the same first name and last name. I bet announcers absolutely love these dudes.
17. Tony Toney, UAB
Sure, he has the extra "E" but who cares.
16. Ali Ali, Akron
Terrific.
15. Drew Dibble, Davidson
It was so close to Drew Dribble. So close.
14. Greg Tribble, Akron
I only put Greg here because Tribble rhymes with Dibble.
13. Tada Stricklen, Chattanooga
He's magic!
12. Bailey Patella, Vermont
OK, a nickname here that might work: The Kneecap of Burlington.
11. Da Houston, Longwood
I just love this name, mostly because Da is also from Houston. It just works out.
10. Jay Pal, Jacksonville State
We're finally in the top 10! And with No. 10 is a guy is only here because his name rhymes with PayPal. That's literally the only reason!
9. Tanguy Touze, Jacksonville State
I'll admit it. I'm not a fan of tans. Or tan guys. Give me sunscreen all day. Still, wonderful name.
8. Peter Kiss, Bryant
The NCAA's leading scorer has a pretty dynamite last name. Imagine him saying the "The Kiss of Death" every time he hangs a three on your head.
7. De'Lazarus Keys, Texas A&M Corpus Christi
An absolute sleeper pick here for De'Lazarus, a name I just love saying.
6. Leaky Black, UNC
Like, no way this a real name. Just awesome.
5. Wooga Poplar, Miami
God, yes. I need Wooga merchandise. Give me a WOOGA license plate, please.
4. Adonis Arms, Texas Tech
Tell me this isn't Hercules real name or something. Adonis freakin' Arms?
3. Great Osobor, Montana State
"The Great from Montana State." You're welcome, Great.
2. Legend Geeter, Providence
I'm really upset I couldn't find a picture for the LEGEND. His last name makes him even more of a legend. He probably should be No. 1 if not for...
1. Jamaree Bouyea, San Francisco
It's hard not to hear the voice of the late, great Stuart Scott saying, "Boo-Yah!" when reading his name. Paired with that is that his first name has the word "Jam" in it and we've got ourselves the No. 1 name.