As the basketball world awaits the crowning of the 2026 John R. Wooden Award winner this Friday night, the spotlight is on a phenomenal group of finalists: Cameron Boozer, Darius Acuff Jr., AJ Dybantsa, Yaxel Lendeborg, and Braden Smith. Before one of these stars etches his name into history, let's rewind and celebrate the players who have already defined the 2020s by claiming college basketball's most prestigious individual honor.

The decade's most recent winner, Cooper Flagg, delivered a sensational 2025 season for Duke. While the Blue Devils fell short of a national title, Flagg's coronation was a fitting capstone. His relentless motor and elite two-way play, evident from November non-conference clashes all the way to the Final Four, made him the undeniable choice and a thrilling player to watch.

In 2024, Zach Edey didn't just win the Wooden Award; he made history. The Purdue giant became the first men's player in over 40 years to win the award in consecutive seasons. Standing at 7'4", Edey was an unstoppable force in the paint, averaging 25 points per game with a jump hook that defenders could only hope to contest. His sheer dominance was a spectacle of power and skill.

Edey's first Wooden Award in 2023 was equally dominant, as he posted averages of 22 points and nearly 13 rebounds per game. However, that season is also remembered for its shocking conclusion, as his top-seeded Purdue squad suffered a historic first-round NCAA tournament upset to 16th-seeded Fairleigh Dickinson. It was a stark reminder that individual brilliance and team fortune in March can follow very different paths.

Rewinding to 2022, the honor went to Kentucky's Oscar Tshiebwe, a rebounding machine whose relentless energy on the glass captivated fans. His ability to dominate the boards and ignite fast breaks embodied the all-around excellence the Wooden Award celebrates, securing his place among the decade's elite.