Through the Phog
Fansided

10 Kansas basketball players the Jayhawks rivals loved to hate the most

By Joshua Schulman

COLUMBIA, MO - FEBRUARY 04: Truman the Tiger pumps up the crowd before a game between the Missouri Tigers and the Kansas Jayhawks the first half at Mizzou Arena on February 4, 2012 in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
COLUMBIA, MO - FEBRUARY 04: Truman the Tiger pumps up the crowd before a game between the Missouri Tigers and the Kansas Jayhawks the first half at Mizzou Arena on February 4, 2012 in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images) /
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Unknown date; Wilt Chamberlain #13 of the Los Angeles Lakers (Darryl Norenberg-USA TODAY Sports)
Unknown date; Wilt Chamberlain #13 of the Los Angeles Lakers (Darryl Norenberg-USA TODAY Sports) /

8. Wilt Chamberlain (1956-1958)

“Wilt the Stilt” is on here for obvious reasons. He was disliked by rival opponents, and understandably so. When you are the best player in the sport, people will find a way to hate you.

However, a lot of the hatred that Wilt experienced was associated with the color of his skin. He experienced racism wherever he went, but it was especially threatening when he played games on the road.

Mizzou did not admit African-American students into the university when Wilt played, and fans did not take this lightly. Opposing fans would direct vulgar chants toward him and throw things at him as he walked to the tunnel.

He is a revered figure nowadays, but this was not always the case. It was not until he reached the NBA that he started to earn his respect. He and Bill Russell became pioneers for black men in basketball for years to come.

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