There has been a great run of power-forwards at Kansas going to the NBA, continuing with Thomas Robinson’s departure this past season. Here is a look at the top 10.
1. Danny Manning: Scored 2,951 points while at Kansas. Led the Jayhawks to the 1988 NCAA title. Totaled 1,187 rebounds, 250 steals and 200 blocks in addition to all the points.
2. Nick Collison: Career totals of 2,097 points, 1,143 rebounds, and 243 blocked shots put him in the top three of each category. Collison plays as a classic over-acheiver.
3. Wayne Hightower: Teamed with Wilt Chamberlain at Kansas to form one of the best frontcourts of all-time. Hightower averaged 21 points and 11 rebounds per game.
4. Drew Gooden: His totals of 1,526 points and 905 rebounds make Gooden one of the best. He always had a knack of being in the right place at the right time. Gooden has jumped around the NBA since being drafted.
5. Wayne Simien: Super player around the net. Simien averaged 20 points and 11 rebounds as a senior. His totals in points and rebounds rank amongst the school’s all-time leaders.
6. Thomas Robinson: He had such an elite season as a junior at Kansas. Robinson led all players with an average of 18 points per game and 12 boards. He led the Jayhawks to the NCAA title game before bowing out to Kentucky.
7. Scot Pollard: Not much of a threat as a scorer, yet Pollard still made his mark as a Jayhawk. Totaled 850 rebounds and 218 blocks in his stay. Pollard had a decent career in the NBA as a backup.
8. Bill Bridges: Another guy who stood just 6-6, yet played bigger. Bridges had a knack of being in the right place at the right time, grabbing key rebounds. He became the first Jayhawk to reach 1,000 rebounds.
9. Darrell Arthur: One of the key cogs in the Jayhawks 2008 title run. Arthur had a great title game vs Memphis, by scoring 20 points and pulling down 10 rebounds. Arthur averaged 13 points and six rebounds per contest as a sophomore before declaring for the NBA.
10. Sasha Kaun: A great defensive presence during his stay at Kansas. Tallied 150 blocks while at Kansas. Spurned the NBA for playing professionally in Russia.