While playing at DePaul University, Mark Aguirre averaged 24.5 points over three seasons and was named The Sporting News College Player of the Year in 1981. He also named the AP, USBWA, UPI College Player of the Year and the James Naismith Award winner in 1980, as well as being named a two-time consensus first-team All-American. As a freshman, he averaged 24.0 points per game, leading the Blue Demons to the NCAA Final Four before losing to Indiana State, led by Hall of Famer Larry Bird. He would go on to be a 3-time NBA All-Star and 2-time NBA champion with the Detroit Pistons.