Kansas Jayhawks: Naming the All-Bill Self KU Teams
By Mike Norris
Mar 4, 2013; Lawrence, KS, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Travis Releford (24) celebrates after scoring during a timeout in the first half of the game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Allen Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
All-Bill Self KU Honorable Mention Team
*Note: HM team selected without regards to position.
G — Russell Robinson (2004-08) — 7.1 PPG, 3.7 APG
Best season: So. 9.3 PPG, 4.6 APG
G — Travis Releford (2008-13) — 7.0 PPG, 2.9 RPG
Best Season: Sr. — 11.9 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 2.6 APG
G — Tyshawn Taylor (2008-12) — 10.8 PPG, 3.9 APG, 2.2 RPG
Best Season: Sr. 16.6 PPG, 4.8 APG, 2.3 RPG
G — Xavier Henry (2009-10) — 13.4 PPG, 4.4 RPG
Best Season: Played only freshman season
F — Julian Wright (2005-07) — 10.4 PPG, 6.3 RPG
Best Season: So. — 12.0 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 2.2 APG
Just missed the cut: Sasha Kaun, C, 2004-08; Perry Ellis, F, 2012-current; Elijah Johnson, G, 2009-13; Darnell Jackson, F, 2004-08
Why they made it: Without regards to position, even picking the remaining best five players was no easy task.
However, all of the players on this team will be remembered fondly, and for good reason.
The 2008 championship was truly a team effort, and without Robinson distributing the ball with confidence, Rush, Arthur and company don’t get their points.
Releford spent five years in Lawrence, redshirting after his freshman season, because he knew it would be best for the team.
He increased his scoring in four years from 2.9 PPG to 11.9 in his senior season.
Henry was a late commit to the Jayhawks, then left early as the first Kansas “one-and-done.” Fans didn’t like it, but at 13 PPG and 4.4 RPG, he gave all he had in his short time.
Wright established himself as one of the most athletic Jayhawks ever, and one of the top dunkers too.
If you do what he did to the Missouri Tigers at the 1:18 mark of this video, you are a fan favorite forever.
That brings us to Taylor.
There could be a whole post written about the ups and down of the point guard from New Jersey.
Like many Jayhawks on the list though, you could never question his heart or toughness.
Sure he had many silly turnovers, and drives to the hoop that resembled a REC player thinking he was better than he really was, but he finished his career strong, averaging almost 17 points, and five rebounds per game.
Next: All-Bill Self KU Freshman Team