Kansas Jayhawks: Naming the All-Bill Self KU Teams
By Mike Norris
Mar 15, 2013; Kansas City, MO, USA; Iowa State Cyclones forward Georges Niang (31) drives to the basket against Kansas Jayhawks center Jeff Withey (5) in the second half during the quarterfinals of the Big 12 tournament at the Sprint Center. Kansas defeated Iowa State 88-73. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
All-Bill Self KU Third Team
G — Ben McLemore (2012-13) — 15.9 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 2.0 APG
Best season: Played only freshman season
G — Keith Langford (2001-05) — 13.3 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 2.4 APG
Best Season: So. — 15.9 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 2.0 APG
F — Darrell Arthur (2006-08) — 11.3 PPG, 5.5 RPG
Best Season: So. — 12.8 PPG, 6.3 RPG
F — Markieff Morris (2008-11) — 8.5 PPG, 6.1 RPG
Best Season: Jr. — 13.6 PPG, 8.3 RPG
C — Jeff Withey (2009-13) — 8.0 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 2.7 BPG
Best Season: Sr. — 13.7 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 3.9 BPG
Why they made it: This is where it gets tricky.
Nearly everyone on this team could make an argument for being on the second, or even, first team.
McLemore had one of the best freshman seasons ever in Lawrence, while Arthur was a catalyst of the 2008 national championship team.
A dream right before signing day caused him to pick Kansas over Baylor, and proved to be a pretty good decision.
Withey left KU as the school’s all-time leader in blocks, and Morris went from disappointment, to out-right baller from his freshman to junior year.
Langford may not have wowed with his overall stats, but he never took a play off, and if not for a fellow named Carmelo Anthony, he would be wearing a 2003 National Championship ring.
The player who just missed the cut for second team is McLemore.
Even though he had a few games where he didn’t show up, to average nearly 16 points as a (redshirt) freshman, is impressive.
In fact, the only other Jayhawk on this list to average that much his freshman season was Wiggins, who may just turn out to be a perennial NBA all-star.
One thing McLemore did that Wiggins didn’t, was keep 16,300 fans in Allen Fieldhouse from experiencing a home loss, with one remarkable shot.
Next: All-Bill Self KU Honorable Mention Team