One Kansas basketball player on new list of NBA best

Consider how many Kansas basketball players have gone on to successful professional basketball careers. One player is being recognized for his impact on the game.

Many reading this will not remember the old American Basketball Association. The league founded in the late 60s used the fun and popular red, white and blue basketball.

In days long before cable-television, the ABA brought pro basketball to areas of the United States that hadn’t seen it.

The ABA died when it merged with the NBA 40-years ago. In that time, a lot of Kansas basketball players have come and gone from the professional game.

Some amazing talent far beyond the obvious names Jordan, Jabbar, Bird, Johnson or James.

Writer Tim Bontemps decided to look back at all the players in the NBA since the merger. His article in the Washington Post ranks the 40 very best players.

One Kansas Jayhawk made the list.

Southern California high school star Paul Pierce came to Kansas in 1995. In his three years playing for Roy Williams the Jayhawks won 98 games. I’m still mad about how his Sophomore season ended in the sweet 16.

I know the loss in his final game to Rhode Island in the NCAA second round was just as disappointing. However, the 96-97 team was one of the Williams’ best.

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Bontemps piece in the Washington Post is not about college basketball. He recognizes Pierce with NBA greatness.

Did anyone see this when he left Kansas after three seasons? We knew Pierce was an amazing talent who could have and should have won an NCAA title. But to be mentioned among some of the biggest names in pro history?

A southern California kid playing for the hated Boston Celtics. It is nice to see Kansas Basketball included among the other outstanding players on this unique list.

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