Who’s Worn No. 44

Single Game Assists

PLAYER ASSISTS OPPONENT DATE

Steve Berger 16 Pitt

12-9-89 Ron Williams 15 Davidson 3-4-67 Levi Phillips 13 Virginia Tech 2-16-74 Ricky Ray 13 Syracuse 2-17-64 Jevon Carter 12 Fordham 12-23-2017 Juwan Staten 12 TCU 1-24-2015 Tim Lyles 12 Syracuse 1-13-2001 Bob Hummell 12 Richmond 12-6-69 A WVU player had 11 assists 26 times.

Single Game Steals

PLAYER STEALS OPPONENT DATE

Drew Schifino 11 Arkansas-Monticello 12-1-2001 Jevon Carter 9 American 11-15-2017 Mike Boyd 9 UNC Charlotte 12-21-90 Darryl Prue 9 George Mason 11-29-86 Ralph Holmes 9 South Carolina 12-22-52 Elton Scott 8 Villanova 1-23-99 Damian Owens 8 Georgia 12-20-97 Ralph Holmes 8 Maryland 12-13-52 Harry Moore 8 Washington & Lee 2-15-52

Single Game Blocked Shots

PLAYER BLOCKS OPPONENT DATE

Sagaba Konate 9 American 11-15-2017 D’or Fischer 9 Rhode Island 3-19-2004 D’or Fischer 8 Boston College 1-24-2004 D’or Fischer 8 James Madison 11-24-2003 Sagaba Konate 7 Kentucky 1-27-2018 Sagaba Konate 7 Baylor 1-9-2018 John Flowers 7 Oakland 11-12-2010 Joe Alexander 7 Prairie View A&M 11-18-2007 D’or Fischer 7 St. Bonaventure 12-7-2004 D’or Fischer 7 IUPUI 12-17-2003 Marcus Goree 7 Bowling Green 12-18-99 Marcus Goree 7 Robert Morris 11-27-99

Single Game Turnovers

PLAYER TOS OPPONENT DATE

Levi Phillips 12 Villanova 2-2-74 Bob Hummell 11 New Mexico 12-30-69 Mike Boyd 10 Kentucky 11-20-91 Mike Boyd 10 UNC Charlotte 12-21-90 Bob Huggins 10 Villanova 3-4-77 Levi Phillips 10 Washington 12-27-73 Ron Williams 10 Davidson 3-4-67

Single Game Minutes Played

PLAYER MINS OPPONENT DATE

Mark Catlett 55 Virginia Tech 1-26-72 Wil Robinson 55 Virginia Tech 1-26-72 Curtis Price 55 Virginia Tech 1-26-72 Russel Todd 54 Virginia Tech 2-2-83 Greg Jones 54 Virginia Tech 2-2-83 Devin Ebanks 53 Pitt 2-12-2010 Ricky Robinson 53 Rhode Island 2-24-94 Jermaine Haley 52 TCU 2-26-2019 Chase Harler 51 TCU 2-26-2019 Kevin Jones 51 Pitt 2-12-2010 Marsalis Basey 51 Rhode Island 2-24-94 Darryl Bryant 50 Kansas State 12-8-2011 Darris Nichols 50 Louisville 3-8-2007 Pervires Greene 50 Rhode Island 2-24-94 Greg Jones 50 Ohio State 12-30-80 Warren Baker 50 Manhattan 2-27-74 Jerome Anderson 50 Davidson 2-3-73 Warren Baker 50 Davidson 2-3-73 Ron Williams 50 Davidson 1-7-67

JERRY WEST

In the annals of West Virginia basketball, the uniform number that stands head-and-shoulders above all others is 44. In just seven seasons of action, that number produced five All-America awards, two Pro Hall of Fame inductions, three WVU Sports Hall of Fame members and these numbers: 4,096 points, 2,152 rebounds and 565 assists.

The first player to wear 44 was Joe Stydahar in 1936. Known better for his exploits on the gridiron, Stydahar held his own on the basketball court, scoring 608 points in four seasons. He wore 44 during his final season of basketball, in which he only played three games. Stydahar was a football third-team All-American in 1935, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1967 and the WVU Sports Hall of Fame in 1991.

The next player to wear 44 was and still is the most famous Mountaineer to ever don the Gold and Blue -- Jerry West. In three seasons from 1958-60 (freshmen were not allowed to play varsity ball), West put up numbers that have stood as Mountaineer records for more than 35 years. His 2,309 career points and 1,240 career rebounds are school records that may stand eternally.

Since West’s career ended in 1960, no one has come closer than 450 points and 170 rebounds to his respective marks. In all, West holds 17 school records. He was an unanimous All-American in both 1959 and 1960 and was inducted into the Pro Basketball Hall of Fame in 1979 and the WVU Hall of Fame in 1991. WVU retired his No. 44 on Nov. 26, 2005.

ROD THORN

The third and final Mountaineer to wear 44 was Rod Thorn, among the best players in West Virginia history. Taking the reins from West, Thorn continued what is referred to as the “Golden Era” of Mountaineer basketball.

From 1961-63, Thorn scored 1,785 points (No. 5 all-time), grabbed 912 rebounds (No. 7 all-time) and dished out 304 assists (No. 11 all-time). Thorn was an All-American in 1962 and 1963 and was inducted into the WVU Sports Hall of Fame in 1992. WVU retired his No. 44 on Feb. 29, 2020.

WHO’S WORN 44?

Years Player G Ast Avg Reb Avg Pts Avg

1936 Joe Stydahar 3 -- -- -- -- 2 0.7 1958-60 Jerry West 93 261 2.8 1,240 13.3 2,309 24.8 1961-63 Rod Thorn 82 304 3.7 912 11.1 1,785 21.8 Totals 178 565 3.2 2,152 12.1 4,096 23.0