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Kansas Jayhawks: Naming the All-Bill Self KU Teams

By Mike Norris

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Jan 18, 2014; Lawrence, KS, USA; Kansas Jayhawks center Joel Embiid (21) dunks the ball against Oklahoma State Cowboys guard Markel Brown (22) in the second half at Allen Fieldhouse. Kansas won 80-78. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

All-Bill Self KU Freshman Team

G — Ben McLemore  (2012-13) — 15.9 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 2.0 APG

G — Brandon Rush  (2005-06) — 13.5 PPG, 5.9 RPG

G — Xavier Henry  (2009-10) — 13.4 PPG, 4.4 APG, 2.7 RPG

F — Andrew Wiggins  (2013-14) — 17.1 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 1.0 BPG

C — Joel Embiid   (2013-14) — 11.2 PPG, 8.1 RPG, 2.6 BPG

Just missed the cut: J.R. Giddens, G, 2003-04; Mario Chalmers, G, 2005-06

Why they made it: It wasn’t hard to find players for this list.

McLemore, Wiggins, Henry, and Embiid were one-and-done for good reason. They had some of the best freshman seasons of any Jayhawks, not just under Self.

Wiggins and McLemore were often chided for not being consistent, but their numbers, while dealing with the pressures of today’s media, were nothing short of outstanding.

Embiid didn’t have the offensive firepower of those two, but he was so dominant defensively it didn’t matter. Before his injury he was projected as the number one overall pick by some.

Rush was a late signee out of the Kansas City area. Fans knew he would make an impact right away, and did, with a season most seniors would be happy with.

As a side note, Miles would have been on this list, but he played his freshman year under Roy Williams.

To put his 6.8 APG in 2001-02 in perspective, there have only been two seasons since then where a Jayhawk had more assists — Aaron Miles in 2002-03, and Aaron Miles 2003-04.

Whatever your opinion of each player is, one thing all KU fans can agree on is the talent Bill Self has produced over the past 12 years is nothing short of remarkable.

KU fans also agree that the video below is the single-greatest shot in school history.

Enjoy!

Next: 100 Reasons it's Great to be a Kansas Jayhawk

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