Kansas basketball: 5 biggest recruiting busts during the Bill Self era

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - APRIL 02: Head coach Bill Self of the Kansas Jayhawks reacts on the sideline in the second half of the game against the Villanova Wildcats during the 2022 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Final Four semifinal at Caesars Superdome on April 02, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

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David Pagdett #4 of the Louisville Cardinals (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

4. David Padgett (2003-2004, No. 5 ranked recruit in Class of 2003)

Padgett was a solid player, just like Grimes. He simply was not good enough in regard to where he was recruited. Playing behind Kansas great Wayne Simien did not help his case, as the big-bodied center averaged 19.2 minutes per game in his lone season with the Jayhawks.

After transferring from Kansas, he formed a respectable career for himself at Louisville. He made the All-Big East Second Team twice in three years. Padgett even became the interim head coach of the Cardinals in 2017.

He is not as much of a bust as other players on this list, as he would have become a terrific big man with Bill Self had he stayed. However, he wanted to make an immediate impact with Louisville, and it worked out for him in the long run. It is safe to say that Padgett did not play like the No. 5 recruit of the class with Kansas.

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