Kansas basketball: Best KU players each season since 2000

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Mar 25, 2018; Omaha, NE, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Devonte’ Graham (4) dribbles against Duke Blue Devils guard Trevon Duval (1) during the second half in the championship game of the Midwest regional of the 2018 NCAA Tournament at CenturyLink Center. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports /

2017 – Devonte’ Graham

The second of back-to-back Wooden Award finalists, Graham went from the sidekick in his junior season to the main attraction in his senior season. After playing shooting guard for his first three seasons (alongside my 2016 best-player pick), he took over the lead guard role and flourished like few believed he would. His 17-point, 7-assist averages earned him both Big 12 Player of the Year and first-team All-American honors, while also being named a Wooden Award finalist. This Kansas team turned into a defense’s worst nightmare, and it was spearheaded by Graham. The starting lineup consisted of Graham, Svi Mykhailiuk, Malik Newman, and Lagerald Vick all playing around Azubuike inside. The four “guards” combined to shoot a blistering 41 percent from deep on a total of 23 attempts per game. The season was ended by a Villanova team who broke the Final Four record for three-pointers made, but Graham went down as a KU favorite.

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