Kansas Jayhawks basketball is one of the most storied programs in college basketball history. The team has produced some of the best players in the game, and their success has helped to establish the program as one of the most respected in the country. In this article, we will take a closer look at 5 of the best Kansas basketball players of all time.
Wilt Chamberlain: The Big Dipper
Wilt Chamberlain is widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time, and his college career at the University of Kansas was no exception. Chamberlain played for the Jayhawks from 1956-1958 and was a dominant force on the court.
During his time at Kansas, Chamberlain set numerous records and was a two-time All-American. He led the Jayhawks to the NCAA championship game in 1957, where they lost to North Carolina in triple overtime. Despite the loss, Chamberlain’s performance in the game was legendary, as he scored 23 points and grabbed 14 rebounds.
After his college career, Chamberlain went on to have a legendary NBA career, where he set numerous records and won two championships. He is still considered one of the most dominant players in the history of the game, and his legacy at Kansas is still celebrated today.
Danny Manning: The Miracle Man
Danny Manning played for the University of Kansas from 1984-1988, and his college career was one of the most memorable in Jayhawks history. Manning led the Jayhawks to an NCAA championship in 1988, where he put on one of the greatest performances in March Madness history.
Manning was named the Most Outstanding Player of the tournament after averaging 27.2 points and 9.3 rebounds per game. He scored 31 points in the championship game against Oklahoma, leading the Jayhawks to a 83-79 victory.
After his college career, Manning went on to have a successful NBA career, where he played for several teams and won an NBA championship with the Detroit Pistons in 2004. He is now a successful college basketball coach, currently coaching at Wake Forest University.
Manning’s legacy at Kansas is still celebrated today, and he is considered one of the greatest players in Jayhawks history. His performance in the 1988 NCAA tournament will always be remembered as one of the greatest moments in college basketball history.
Paul Pierce: The Truth
Paul Pierce played for the University of Kansas from 1995-1998, and his college career was marked by his scoring ability and clutch performances. Pierce was a consensus All-American and led the Jayhawks to the Final Four in 1997.
During his time at Kansas, Pierce averaged 16.4 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game. He was known for his ability to score from anywhere on the court and his clutch performances in big games, earning him the nickname “The Truth.”
After his college career, Pierce was selected 10th overall in the 1998 NBA draft by the Boston Celtics. He went on to have a legendary career with the Celtics, where he won an NBA championship in 2008 and was named Finals MVP. Pierce played for several teams throughout his career and retired in 2017.
Pierce’s legacy at Kansas is still celebrated today, and he is considered one of the greatest players in Jayhawks history. His scoring ability and leadership on the court helped lead the Jayhawks to success during his time at Kansas.
Jo Jo White: The Silent Assassin
Jo Jo White played for the University of Kansas from 1965-1969, and his college career was marked by his scoring ability and clutch performances. White was a three-time All-Big Eight selection and was known for his ability to score from anywhere on the court.
During his time at Kansas, White averaged 18.1 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game. He was known for his clutch performances in big games, earning him the nickname “The Silent Assassin.”
After his college career, White was selected ninth overall in the 1969 NBA draft by the Boston Celtics. He went on to have a successful career with the Celtics, where he won two NBA championships in 1974 and 1976. White played for several teams throughout his career and retired in 1981.
White’s legacy at Kansas is still celebrated today, and he is considered one of the greatest players in Jayhawks history. His scoring ability and clutch performances helped lead the Jayhawks to success during his time at Kansas, and his success in the NBA solidified his place in basketball history.
Steve Nash: The Maestro
Steve Nash is widely regarded as one of the greatest point guards in NBA history, and his college career at Santa Clara University was no exception. Nash played for Santa Clara from 1992-1996 and was a two-time West Coast Conference Player of the Year.
During his time at Santa Clara, Nash averaged 15.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 6.4 assists per game. He was known for his exceptional passing ability and his ability to control the tempo of the game, earning him the nickname “The Maestro.”
After his college career, Nash was selected 15th overall in the 1996 NBA draft by the Phoenix Suns. He went on to have a legendary career with the Suns and the Dallas Mavericks, where he won two NBA MVP awards and led the league in assists five times. Nash retired in 2015 and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2018.
Nash’s legacy at Santa Clara is still celebrated today, and he is considered one of the greatest players in Broncos history. His passing ability and leadership on the court helped lead Santa Clara to success during his time there, and his success in the NBA solidified his place in basketball history.
Jamal Murray: The Blue Arrow
Jamal Murray played college basketball at the University of Kentucky from 2015-2016, and his college career was marked by his scoring ability and clutch performances. Murray was a consensus All-American and led the Wildcats to the Elite Eight of the NCAA tournament in 2016.
During his time at Kentucky, Murray averaged 20.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game. He was known for his ability to score from anywhere on the court and his clutch performances in big games, earning him the nickname “The Blue Arrow.”
After his college career, Murray was selected seventh overall in the 2016 NBA draft by the Denver Nuggets. He has since become one of the most exciting young players in the NBA, earning All-Rookie First Team honors in 2017 and helping lead the Nuggets to the Western Conference Finals in 2020.
Murray’s legacy at Kentucky is still celebrated today, and he is considered one of the greatest players in Wildcats history. His scoring ability and clutch performances helped lead Kentucky to success during his time there, and his success in the NBA has solidified his place as one of the most promising young players in the league.
Conclusion
Kansas has produced some of the greatest basketball players in history, and these five players are just a few examples of the talent that has come from the state. From Chamberlain to Pierce, these players have left a lasting legacy on the game of basketball and will always be remembered as some of the best to ever play the game.
