Kansas basketball: Top ten Jayhawks of the decade

10. Josh Jackson, Kansas basketball 2016-2017

Josh Jackson was a highly sought after five-star recruit who ultimately chose Kansas over other programs like Michigan State and Arizona. His size at six-foot-eight and athleticism made him a valuable pro prospect, as he elected to stay only one season with the Jayhawks.

In that season though, Jackson was a beast.

He started all but one game for the Jayhawks, helping lead them to a Big 12 regular-season title and Elite Eight appearance. On the road vs. Texas Tech, Jackson scored a career-high 31 points. Over the course of the season, Jackson averaged 16.3 points and 7.7 rebounds, and 1.1 steals per game.

That was good enough to be named first-team All-Big 12, along with Big 12 Freshman of the Year. Jackson also received second-team All-American honors from Sporting News and third-team All-American honors from the Associated Press and National Association of Basketball Coaches.

He would go on to be the fourth overall pick in the NBA Draft, selected by the Phoenix Suns.

In terms of a one and done at Kansas, Josh Jackson is a great example of what head coach Bill Self can do with a guy who will obviously be going to the NBA after one season. While his professional career has taken a bit of dive, he’ll always be one of the Jayhawk greats.