Photo by Michael Hudson Photography

Forward - Tim McCrary
Wheaton (Ill.) College
2008 - 2012

All-American selections: 2010 (2nd), 2011 (4th), 2012 (1st)

All-Region selections: 2009 (Rookie of the Year), 2010 (1st), 2011 (1st), 2012 (Player of the Year)

Conference MVP: 2012

Other honors: 2012 Jostens Trophy finalist

NCAA Tournament appearances: 2009 (Sweet 16), 2010 (second round), 2012 (Sweet 16)

From the archives

• Interview: McCrary talks with D3hoops after NCAA Tournament win (March 2012)
• Thunder advance to CCIW title game on McCrary's double-double (February 2012)
• McCrary leads Wheaton over WashU (December 2010)

What others say: "Tim was so versatile. He could dominate a game in so many ways. He remains the best passing forward I have ever coached. He was too long and athletic around the rim for most perimeter players to guard and too quick off the dribble for most interior players to guard. He was a fierce and confident competitor who always put team success first.” – Michael Schauer, Wheaton head coach

In their own words: "I absolutely loved being a part of Wheaton basketball. Some of the best and most formative experiences of my life happened on those teams. We had some really good groups and won a lot of games, but the relationships with my coaches and teammates are what I value most from those four years. I had a blast playing college basketball because I was blessed to compete alongside an incredible group of guys, and I’m better man for it."

Where are they now: Director, Performance Trust Capital Partners

Career synopsis: Tim McCrary was the first player in NCAA Division III men's basketball history to record at least 1,700 career points, 900 rebounds and 400 assists. A four-year starter, McCrary played on three NCAA Tournament teams and twice was eliminated by the eventual national champion, Central Region foes Washington U. and UW-Whitewater. After playing a supporting role to the likes of Kent Raymond and Ben Panner as a freshman, the 6-6 post player might have seemed an unlikely candidate to lead the team in points and assists as a sophomore, but that's just what McCrary did. He became a reliable scoring threat down low, averaging 18.2 points per game, but hardly a selfish one as he averaged 4.8 assists. Add to that the team lead in blocked shots and rebounds and you really have an all-around star. He improved on his rebounding totals and his free throw shooting as a junior for a team that finished out of the tournament at 18-8 and helped them return to the tourney as a senior as he scored in double figures in every game and had 10 double-doubles. His reach helped him not only collect boards underneath the basket, but he had a knack for tracking down rebounds of missed 3-pointers as well thanks to his length and quickness. That may have been no more apparent than in a 2010 game against Grinnell, where McCrary racked up 18 rebounds, 16 of them on the defensive end. (As a post player who could finish, he also shot 17-for-21 in the game and had 25 points and 10 assists.) But if that game doesn't inspire you because of the opponent, a few weeks later he shot 13-for-19 from the floor and had 31 points, 12 rebounds against Illinois Wesleyan. McCrary also seemed to have something extra in the tank for games against Carthage, against whom he averaged 24.3 points per game over his final six meetings with the Red Men.