Taliek took so much grief early on (Frosh - Jr year) He was a bad FT Shooter, and had a terrible jumper - missed lots and lots of shots.
This could have described Hass in his first year.
But Taliek shut out the noise and played harder and harder and became a beast on defense, got better at the FT Line and better finishing around the rim.
I don't think anybody anticipated his second year jump, including a portfolio of key 3-pointers over the past 2 seasons.
This year he stepped into a role that had not been planned, and I was concerned that he'd be asked to do too much and would catch flack for being able to do "(almost) anything but not everything." I can think of several other lead guards whose senior seasons showed out this way.
Ultimately, it was his body that most limited him, and still he performed with grit & heart & skill up to his capabilities. I'm grateful that his contribution is so widely recognized on this board.
As someone who always looked for & saw the best of Taliek Brown - and grandly celebrated the triumph of his Senior season - I never imagined I'd claim Hassan Diarra as my favorite Husky guard from Queens, but I do. And I still love Taliek.
The best of Samson Johnson has also received its proper due here, and that too is wonderful.
Samson & Hassan earned two NC rings and contributed well to 13 consecutive NCAA Tournament wins. Bravo.