by Jeremy Allen

Created on: February 13, 2007   Last Updated: May 11, 2007

Contrary to another writer's opinion that Zach Randolph is the leagues most underrated player, I would have to say that the most underrated player is Earl Boykins. When it comes to Randolph, he was a highly touted high school recruit, and started as a freshman at a Michigan State program which just came off consecutive Final Four appearences. Also, he was a mid-first round draft pick after leaving State after a decent freshman season next to other stars like Jason Richardson. Not to mention he does play in Portland. A horrible team which one would be hard-pressed to name a player other than the probable rookie of the year, Brandon Roy.

Off course Randolph's numbers are impressive, 20-plus points-and-10 plus boards, but again, it's with Portland and he is a talented big man. Boykins, on the other hand, is a 5'-5", 150 lb. mighty mouse from the Mid-American Conference Eastern Michigan Eagles. He single handedly led that Eagles team to a Sweet 16 birth after knocking off a Coach K Duke team in the mid-90's.

He was undrafted, highly due to his tiny stature, but his willingness to work hard (demonstrated by his ability to bench press 330 lbs!) has only recently brought him some recognition and made him one of the best back-up point gaurds in the NBA.

He found an NBA home last season as he backed up Andre Miller in Denver, but it was short-lived, as were all of the other 7 teams he had played for, and was traded to Milwaukee shortly after Denver's deal to acquire Allen Iverson.

In his two-plus seasons with Denver, Boykins averaged over 12 points, 4.5 assists, and nearly two rebounds per game in just over 23 minutes per game. His numbers per 48 minutes were amoung the top point gaurds in the game, including Allen Iverson, and were better than that of 2004 Finals MVP Chauncey Billups.

His career numbers are impressive as well, consider that he only averages 20 minutes per contest. At 10 ppg, 3.5 apg, 1.5 rpg, and 1 steal per game, I would have to say that Earl Boykins has made more than a viable case to be labeled as the leagues most underrated player.

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