In this series, we’ve pieced together all-time starting fives from college basketball’s most historic programs. So far, we’ve covered Duke, UCLA, UConn, Louisville, North Carolina, Villanova, Indiana, and most recently Kentucky, bringing together players from different eras who defined both their programs and the sport.
Now we turn to another blue blood powerhouse, Kansas. Over more than a century of basketball, the Jayhawks have won four national championships while producing numerous Hall of Fame players and coaches.
Here’s a look at Kansas’ all-time starting five.
Point Guard: Frank Mason III (2013-2017)
Frank Mason III began his career as a rotation piece for Kansas, appearing in nearly every game as a freshman while averaging 5.5 points and 2.1 assists. By his sophomore and junior seasons, he had developed into a reliable starter, averaging over 12 points, four rebounds, and four assists across those two years.
His senior season is where he elevated himself into one of the best players in the country, averaging 20.9 points and 5.2 assists while leading Kansas to a 28-3 regular season. The accolades followed: Naismith Player of the Year, AP Player of the Year, a consensus All-American selection, and the Wooden Award.
Kansas entered the tournament as a No. 1 seed and won its first three games by an average of 26.6 points before falling to Oregon in the Elite Eight. Mason was later selected in the second round of the NBA Draft, spent four seasons as a role player, and has since continued his career overseas in France.
Shooting Guard: Brandon Rush (2005-2008)
The shooting guard spot came down to Kirk Hinrich and Brandon Rush, but the 2008 national title gives Rush the edge. Over his three-year career, he averaged 13.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, and two assists per game, leading Kansas in scoring each season.
Rush also left his mark as one of the program’s top shooters, finishing fifth all-time in three-pointers made with 205 and third in three-point percentage at an impressive 43.5 percent. His accolades back it up: Big 12 Rookie of the Year, three-time All-Big 12 selection, and a spot on the NCAA All-Tournament Team as a senior.
His defining moment came during the 2008 tournament run. In the Final Four against top-seeded North Carolina, Rush scored 25 points and grabbed seven rebounds, helping Kansas to a decisive win despite an off night from three. The Jayhawks went on to defeat Memphis in the title game, securing the program’s national championship.
Rush was selected 13th overall in the 2008 NBA Draft and went on to play nine seasons in the league, including a championship run with Golden State in 2015.
Small Forward: Paul Pierce (1995-1998)
Pierce may not have had the deepest tournament runs at Kansas, but it is hard to define the program without him. Over his three-year career, he and fellow star Raef LaFrentz helped lead the Jayhawks to a 98-11 record, finishing in the top five of the final AP Poll each season.
Despite that regular-season success, Kansas never advanced past the Elite Eight during Pierce’s tenure, even as a No. 1 seed each year. Individually, however, Pierce’s impact was undeniable, driven by his scoring ability and overall versatility.
He averaged 11.9 points, five rebounds, and two assists as a freshman, earning Big 8 Rookie of the Year honors. By his sophomore season, he had taken a significant step forward, posting 16.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, and nearly two steals per game. As a junior, Pierce elevated his game again, averaging 20.4 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 2.6 assists, which earned him consensus All-American recognition.
Pierce finished his Kansas career ranked 10th all-time in scoring and 14th in rebounding. He went on to be selected 10th overall by the Boston Celtics and built a Hall of Fame career, highlighted by 10 All-Star selections, four All-NBA honors, and an NBA championship, where he was named Finals MVP.
Power Forward: Danny Manning (1984-1988)
If there were a KU Mount Rushmore, several players from this group would have a case, but the first name etched would be Danny Manning. His career embodied success, both statistically and through his long list of accolades.
By the end of his senior year, Manning left Kansas as a national champion, three-time consensus All-American, Wooden Award winner, three-time Big 8 Player of the Year, and Naismith Award recipient. He still holds the program’s all-time records in both points and rebounds and remains the only Jayhawk to surpass 2,000 career points. Much of that production came during his junior and senior seasons, when he averaged 24.4 points, 9.3 rebounds, 1.5 steals, and 1.6 blocks per game.
Manning’s legacy was cemented during his senior year. Despite an 11-loss regular season and entering the tournament as a No. 6 seed, he led Kansas to a national championship in what became known as “Danny and the Miracles.” The Jayhawks entered the title game as eight-point underdogs against Oklahoma, but Manning delivered 31 points and 18 rebounds in an 83-79 win.
He was later selected first overall by the Clippers and went on to play 15 seasons in the NBA. Manning continued to produce at a high level, recording multiple 20-point-per-game seasons and earning Sixth Man of the Year honors.
Center: Wilt Chamberlain (1956-1958)
It’s simple: regardless of era, Wilt Chamberlain dominated the game. At 7-foot-1, his size and strength were overwhelming, and he consistently turned that advantage into production.
Even nearly 70 years later, Chamberlain still holds several seemingly untouchable records at Kansas, including the single-game scoring mark with 52 points and the single-game rebounding record with 36 boards. As a freshman, he earned All-American honors while averaging 29.6 points and 18.9 rebounds, leading the Jayhawks to a 24-3 record and a national title game appearance that ended in a one-point loss to North Carolina.
He followed that up with an equally dominant sophomore season, averaging 30.1 points and 17.5 rebounds per game while earning first-team All-American honors again.
Chamberlain went on to one of the most decorated careers in NBA history, winning four MVP awards, seven scoring titles, and two championships, along with his iconic 100-point game.
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