Kansas basketball: All-time Bill Self era Jayhawks team
Center: Thomas Robinson (2009–2012)
Thomas Robinson isn’t just one of the best players of the Bill Self era, he’s one of the best Jayhawks of all time. At this point, it’s only a matter of time until his jersey is in the rafters. These are some of Robinson’s most notable accomplishments at Kansas:
- 2012 National championship runner-up
- Three-time Big 12 champion
- ESPN’s 2012 National Player of the Year
- 2012 Consensus first-team All-American
- 2012 Big 12 Player of the Year
- One-time First-team All-Big 12
During his junior season, Robinson dominated the competition with 17.7 points and 11.9 rebounds per game. Outside of the incredible Anthony Davis, Robinson was the best player in college basketball.
Robinson and Davis would eventually collide in the 2012 national championship. Despite losing the game, Robinson finished with a dominant 18 points and 17 rebounds.
One of Robinson’s signature moments at Kansas was his last-second block against Missouri in the 2012 Border War in Allen Fieldhouse. Robinson would finish that game with 28 points and 12 rebounds in the Jayhawks’ 86-87 overtime win.
Declaring for the NBA Draft after his junior season, Robinson was selected by the Sacramento Kings with the No. 5 overall pick. He spent five years in the NBA before pursuing a career overseas.
Others considered: Udoka Azubuike, Jeff Withey, Cole Aldrich