Alex the Lion, for sure, in the year 2003.
If you were to ask the tournament pool players who they think is the best 9-ball player now, I think a majority of them would choose Alex as their number-one choice. And the kid hasn't even blossomed fully yet.
if you are talking about the best 9-ball player that there ever was, past, present, and future, I would have to give that one a little more consideration.
Back in the '70s, there were more straight-ball pool players than 9-ball players: Luther Lassiter, Jimmy Moore, Cole Dixon, Joe Balsis, Irving Crane, Boston Shorty, Jimmy Rempe, and Mike Sigel.
I'm not too sure how 9-ball became more popular than straight pool, but the game exploded onto the scene. The game moves quicker than straight pool, and most tournaments nowadays are 9-ball.
Earl Strickland, Johnny Archer, and Nick Varner are three names that seem to always end up in the winner's circle in most 9-ball tournaments in the past decade.
Jose Parica, the first member of the Phillipino Invasion, I think, is an unsung hero, winning the senior tournaments and coming in second at the U.S. Open. Of course, Efren Reyes and Francisco Bustamante are crowd favorites and should also be considered as great 9-ball players.
ManlyShot