Kansas Basketball Starting Five Since 2000
Kansas has one of the most storied histories in college basketball. The program has been to ten National Championship games, winning four of them. They have been to 31 Sweet Sixteens, eleven since 2000. Since 2000, the Jayhawks have won 19 Big 12 Championships. In all, 99 players have been drafted into the NBA from the Kansas program, with Danny Manning (1988) and Andrew Wiggins (2014) each going No. 1 overall.
Through decades of success, Kansas kept its tradition rolling since the turn of the century. Here is my starting five for Kansas basketball since the 2000 season.
The Starters
G – Frank Mason (‘13-’17)
Before committing to Kansas, Frank Mason was committed to Towson. After his four years in Lawrence, Kansas, he left as the National College Player of the Year, Consensus first-team All-American, first-team All-Big 12, and Big 12 All-Defensive team. He led the Big 12 in scoring (20.9) and finished fourth in assists (5.2) in his senior season. Mason was a part of 116 wins, four Big East Championships, and two Elite Eights.
G – Mario Chalmers (‘05-’08)
While the numbers might not have been eye-popping, Mario Chalmers‘ presence was certainly felt throughout the Jayhawks’ 95 wins in Chalmers’ three seasons. Chalmers was named first-team Big 12 All-Defense in each of his three seasons with Kansas. He also earned Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2006-07. Chalmers scored 18 points and had four steals in Kansas National Championship victory over Memphis, leading to NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player honors.
C – Nick Collison (‘99-’03)
Nick Collison was about as steady a performer as you will find. He averaged over 10.0 points and 6.5 rebounds in each of his four seasons at Kansas. In his time with the Jayhawks, Collison was first-team All-Big 12 twice and second-team once. He was also the Big 12 Player of the Year and a Consensus first-team All-American. He won 113 games, scored 2,097 points, and grabbed 1,143 rebounds in his Kansas Career. Collison went 12th in the NBA Draft and played 14 seasons in the NBA.
F – Drew Gooden (‘99-’02)
Drew Gooden came in as a top 25 recruit, and he was one of the best in the Big 12 throughout his time on campus. Gooden scored over 1,500 career points in his three seasons at Kansas. He was the Big 12 Player of the Year and a Consensus first-team All-American in 2001-2002 after leading the conference in points (19.8) and rebounds (11.2). Gooden was the fourth overall pick in the NBA Draft and played 14 years in the NBA. Kansas retired his No. 0 jersey.
F – Andrew Wiggins (‘13-’14)
At a school that consistently recruits top talent, Andrew Wiggins came to Kansas as one of the most highly acclaimed high school prospects. In his single season with the Jayhawks, Wiggins earned first-team All-Big 12 honors as well as Big 12 Rookie of the Year and a Consensus second-team All-American. He finished top 15 in the conference in total points, rebounds, steals, blocks, and field goal percentage. The No. 1 overall high school recruit went No. 1 in the 2014 NBA Draft and is still playing in the league.
Sixth Man
C – Thomas Robinson (‘09-’12)
This decision, like all of them for this exercise, was a tough one. So many solid candidates to choose from here. For his first two seasons at Kansas, Thomas Robinson shared time in the front court with the Morris twins, Marcus and Markeiff. When they left, Robinson had his coming-out party. In 2011-12, Thomas Robinson was the Big 12 Player of the Year and a Consensus first-team All-American. He finished second in the conference in points (17.7) and paced the Big 12 in rebounds (11.9). He was taken fifth in the NBA Draft.
The Bench
G Kirk Hinrich (‘99-’03), Sherron Collins (‘06-’10), G Tyshawn Taylor (‘08-’12), G Keith Langford (‘01-’05), G Ben McLemore (‘12-’13), C Cole Aldrich (‘07-’10), F Wayne Simien (‘01-’05), Darrell Arthur (‘06-’08), F Marcus Morris (‘08-’11), F Brandon Rush (‘05-’08), C Jeff Withey (‘09-‘13), F Julian Wright (‘05-’07), G Devonte Graham (‘14-’18), G Devon Dotson (‘18-’20), G Ochai Abaji (‘18-’22), C Joel Embiid (‘13-’14), C Udoka Azubuike (‘16-’19), F Josh Jackson (‘16-’17), F Jalen Wilson (‘19-’23), F Gradey Dick (‘22-’23), F Perry Ellis (‘12-’16), F Dedric Lawson (‘18-’19), F Christian Braun (‘19-’22)