Through the Phog
Fansided

8 Things Every Kansas Jayhawks Fan Should Know

By Ryan Noel

Nov 23, 2015; Lahaina, HI, USA; Kansas Jayhawk cheerleaders perform a cheer during a game against the Chaminade Silverswords at the Lahaina Civic Center during the Maui Jim Maui Invitational at the Lahaina Civic Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 23, 2015; Lahaina, HI, USA; Kansas Jayhawk cheerleaders perform a cheer during a game against the Chaminade Silverswords at the Lahaina Civic Center during the Maui Jim Maui Invitational at the Lahaina Civic Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 3, 2016; Lawrence, KS, USA; An overall view of Allen Fieldhouse before the game between the Kansas State Wildcats and Kansas Jayhawks. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 3, 2016; Lawrence, KS, USA; An overall view of Allen Fieldhouse before the game between the Kansas State Wildcats and Kansas Jayhawks. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports /

1922 and 1923 Helms National Champions

Before the NCAA tournament came around, the Helms Athletic Foundation awarded National Championships. From 1901 to 1939, the Helms National Champions were the only champions named for college basketball, and from 1939 to 1982 they were awarded alongside the NCAA Tournament Championship.

Paul Endacott (1902-1997), a well-known collegiate basketball player in the early 1920s for University of Kansas. (Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons)
Paul Endacott (1902-1997), a well-known collegiate basketball player in the early 1920s for University of Kansas. (Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons) /

In 1921, Kansas was led by legendary Forrest “Phog” Allen, who was in his second stint as the head coach of the Jayhawks. The 1921-1922 and 1922-1923 teams featured the first “great” of Kansas basketball history – Paul Endacott. Endacott was the 1923 Helms National Player of the Year, and led the Jayhawks to both of their Helms Titles. He was twice selected to the All-Missouri Valley Conference team.

In 1972, Endacott was enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. He was also named to the AP All-Time All-America Second Team, according to his biographical entry on the NMBHF site.

Aside from Endacott, that team also had a little-used player by the name of Adolph Rupp, which leads us to our next entry.

Next: The Kansas Basketball Coaching Tree

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