Jalen Suggs will likely end up as a star who left college basketball behind after just one season with Gonzaga. But the freshman phenomenon etched its name into the sport’s tradition on Saturday night with its effort to beat UCLA in the Final Four.
There is no doubt that Suggs’ stroke was the most iconic move in an action-packed 2021 NCAA Tournament. But where does it compare to the other buzzer-buzzers in the NCAA Tournament? Just five years ago, Villanova won the national title in a hoot, and this can be difficult to overcome.
One thing that differentiates Suggs’ shot, however, is the degree of difficulty. He had to stop on a dime and shoot well beyond the normal 3-point range with a defender at least nominally contesting the shot. Regardless of where you are among the greatest buzzers of all time, it was an incredible time for college basketball.
Here is a tour down memory lane and a look back at some of the other great last-second photos of all time in the tournament’s rich history.
1. Kris Jenkins | Villanova | 2016 national championship game
Jenkins led Villanova to the 2016 national title when he landed a 3-point ball in the right wing to beat North Carolina 77-74. Ryan Arcidiacono helped with the basket and interfered with UNC’s attempts to contest the shot. The national title was Villanova’s first since 1985.
2. Christian Laettner | Duke | Elite Eight 1992
Duke ended up winning the 1992 national championship, but would not have made it to the Final Four without Laettner’s iconic chance of beating Kentucky at Elite Eight. The shot culminated with a 104-103 victory in overtime in one of the most iconic college basketball games of all time.
3. Lorenzo Charles | NC state | 1983 national championship game
This is known to many now as the move that prevented NC State coach Jim Valvano’s frantic rush to the court in search of someone to hug. But Charles took the step back that gave Valvano something to celebrate, as the memorable move led Wolfpack to a national title victory over Houston.
4. Jalen Suggs | Gonzaga | 2021 Final Four
This may be the most difficult shot on the list. Suggs came out of the midfield line and made a desperate 3-point move to lead Gonzaga to an overtime victory over UCLA. The victory took the Zags to the national title fight and made Suggs an even bigger phenomenon for freshmen.
5. Mario Chalmers | Kansas | 2008 national championship game
There were still 2.1 seconds left on the clock when Chalmers’ three-point ball fell, but he gets on the list anyway because of how he rescued Kansas in a desperate moment. His brand took the game into overtime, and from there the Jayhawks won their first and only national title to date under Bill Self.
6. Paul Jesperson | Northern Iowa | First round
After Texas equalized at 72 with 2.7 seconds remaining, northern Iowa could have used its last timeout to try to organize. Instead, he hit the nail on the head for Jesperson, who dribbled once and gave a desperate kick in the half. This memorable photo is just one chapter in Texas’ recent history of pain at the NCAA tournaments.
7. Bryce Drew | Valparaiso | 1998 First round
Drew led Valparaíso to his first victory at the NCAA Tournament by knocking the right wing bell after Ole Miss missed a couple of free throws to leave the door ajar. In addition to Drew’s kick, the play had two perfectly executed passes, while Valparaíso covered the entire length of the court in just 2.5 seconds.
8. Chris Chiozza | Florida | 2017 Sweet 16
Chiozza had to travel the entire length of the court in just four seconds and, after being briefly stopped by two Wisconsin defenders, he abandoned the idea of going to the basket. With the Gators behind two, he hoisted a float just beyond the 3-point line that fell when the bell rang. This gave Florida an 84-83 victory over Wisconsin and sent the Gators to the Elite Eight.
9. Jordan Poole | Michigan | Second round of 2018
Michigan’s race for the national championship game would never have happened in 2018 without Poole’s miraculous 3-point lift from the right wing to beat Houston in the second round. The Wolverines lost by two points and had to cover the entire length of the court in 3.6 seconds. The photo wasn’t even a good look, but Poole somehow managed it.
10. Danny Ainge | BYU | 1981 Sweet Sixteen
Rolling Ainge’s finger in the final seconds led BYU to a dramatic victory over Notre Dame at Sweet 16. The Cougars have not returned to Elite Eight since then and would not have returned without Ainge’s heroic game. Now Celtics general manager Ainge averaged 24.4 points per game for BYU as a senior that season.