Kansas basketball: All-time Roy Williams Jayhawks team
Power Forward: Nick Collison (1999–2003)
One of the most beloved Kansas Jayhawks of all time, Nick Collison left his mark on Lawrence. He had an extremely solid four-year career that was sadly capped off by a loss in the national title game against the Carmelo Anthony led Syracuse Orange.
Here are some of Collison’s accolades:
- 2003 National championship runner-up
- 2002 Final Four
- 2003 NABC Player of the Year
- 2003 Consensus first-team All-American
- 2003 Big 12 Player of the Year
- 2-time first-team All-Big 12
- No. 2 in all-time scoring at Kansas
- Jersey retired
Along with Kirk Hinrich, Collison led the Jayhawks to a pair of Big 12 titles in his third and fourth seasons with Kansas. By the time his senior year rolled around, Collison was pretty much unstoppable, averaging 18.5 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 blocks per game.
After a Final Four the previous season, it was championship or bust for the Kansas Jayhawks as they finished the regular season with a 24-6 record. KU clawed its way into the title game; however, they fell to the aforementioned Syracuse team featuring future NBA star Carmelo Anthony.
After his senior season, Collison was drafted by the Seattle SuperSonics with the No. 12 overall pick. He would stay with the same franchise for the duration of his 15 year NBA career.
Others considered: Drew Gooden