ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — They shared the field for two seasons, and their careers spanned six, from 2002 through 2007, showcasing one of the greatest runs in school history. Hank Baskett, Travis Brown and Marcus Smith not only shared a love of football, 11 letters in their names, great hands and ridiculous blocking techniques, they also share another honor. The triumvirate were all named to the #BestOfThe2000s team, becoming the 21st, 22nd and 23rd members of the team. Baskett joined DonTrell Moore as the only players automatically placed onto the squad due to overwhelming nominations.
Brown picked up 58.1% of the vote to top Lamaar “Flash” Thomas, Dwight Counter and Adrian Boyd. Smith grabbed 48.3% of the vote, topping Delane Hart-Johnson, Thomas (who advanced from the previous poll) and Ty Kirk. Perhaps it showcases how special the trio of Baskett, Brown and Smith were that players like Hart-Johnson, Counter, Byrd, Thomas and Kirk couldn’t break through, and even more recent receivers like Jordan Kress and Dameon Gamblin.
Lobo fans, it’s time to vote for receivers for the #BestOfThe2000s team! Before we get to the polls, based on his history and your nominations, we are placing @TheHankBaskett onto the squad! He is the 21st member of the team, and first of three receivers! #GoLobos pic.twitter.com/DRzjm5Yp5L
— New Mexico Football (@UNMLoboFB) April 27, 2020
Congratulations to our second receiver and our 22nd member of the 30-man #BestOfThe2000s Lobo Football team … it’s Travis Brown! Another great receiver joins the list. Final poll coming up!!! #GoLobos pic.twitter.com/1I9fKFGY1J
— New Mexico Football (@UNMLoboFB) April 28, 2020
Marcus Smith is the third and final WR on our #BestOfThe2000s team, joining Travis Brown and Hank Baskett! All three played two seasons together (2004-05) and rank among the all-time greats in school history. Congrats to Marcus for being the 23rd member of the team! #GoLobos pic.twitter.com/uDzpwML3N2
— New Mexico Football (@UNMLoboFB) April 29, 2020
The series is a way to engage Lobo fans with the current situation regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.
Baskett, who went undrafted and turned out a five-year NFL career that included six touchdown receptions and an appearance in Super Bowl XLIV, was a star at UNM. He finished his career third in career receiving yards with 2,288, fifth in career receptions (he’s now seventh), and second in career touchdown receptions with 17. He led the team in receiving in 2004 and 2005, and his 2005 was his best with 67 catches, 1,071 yards and nine touchdowns. Against Missouri in a 45-35 win, Baskett had career marks with 11 receptions, 209 yards and three touchdowns, including a back-breaker, a leaping catch of a fade in the end zone that gave UNM an insurmountable 10-point lead in the final minutes. He was named Mountain West Offensive Player of the Week for his efforts.
He was a four-time Academic All-Mountain West selection and a first team All-Mountain West pick in 2005. He played in the 2006 Senior Bowl in Alabama and he twice named team offensive MVP.
Brown also went undrafted and spent three years in the NFL, mostly with the St. Louis Rams. His 76 catches in 2007 is tied for the fourth-most in UNM history, and his 1,031 yards receiving marked the last time a Lobo receiver went over 1,000 yards, and it was just the ninth time in had happened. His 182 career catches ranks third in school history, his 2,192 yards receiver ranks fifth in school history and his 12 career touchdown catches is tied for ninth. He led UNM in receiving in 2006 and he was a two-time first team All-Mountain West selection.
He was selected and played in the 2008 East-West Shrine Game as well as the Texas vs. the Nation All-Star game. He was named team Offensive MVP in 2007.
Smith owns the school record for most receptions in a game with 91 in 2007 and his three touchdown catches against New Mexico State in 2006 is still tied for the school record for TD catches in a game. In 2007 along with the 91 catches he picked up 1,125 yards receiving, still fifth all-time at UNM. His nine touchdown catches in 2006 is still tied for fourth-most in a season. Over his 153 receptions is fourth in school history and his 2,073 career yards is seventh in school history. His 13 touchdown catches is good for a tie for seventh on the Lobo career charts. He led the team in receiving in 2007.
Smith, who also owns the school record with eight kickoff return attempts against TCU, is also eighth in career all-purpose yards with 3,749. He was named first team All-Mountain West in 2007 and he played in the 2008 Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama. He ranked tied for 15th in the NCAA in receptions per game in 2007, and tied for 24th in yards per game. He was a 2007 Chuck Cummings Award winner (Morale and Spirit) and a 2006 Most Improved Player winner.
#BestOfThe2000s Team (Selected by the Fans)
| Offense | Defense | ||
| QB | Lamar Jordan | DL | Michael Tuohy |
| RB | DonTrell Moore | DL | Evroy Thompson |
| RB | Jhurell Pressley | DL | D. J. Renteria |
| WR | Hank Baskett | LB | Dallas Bollema |
| WR | Travis Brown | LB | Dakota Cox |
| WR | Marcus Smith | LB | Carmen Messina |
| TE | Marcus Williams | LB | Nick Speegle |
| OL | Byron Bell | DB | |
| OL | Erik Cook | DB | |
| OL | Ryan Cook | DB | |
| OL | Aaron Jenkins | DB | |
| OL | Jason Lenzmeier | DB | |
| PK | Jason Sanders | ||
| P | Corey Bojorquez | ||
| KR | Elijah Lilly | ||
| PR | Marcus Hayes | ||
| LS | |||
| AP | |||