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

By Andrew Falkner

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)
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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Josh Selby #32 of the Kansas Jayhawks (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Josh Selby #32 of the Kansas Jayhawks (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

1. Josh Selby (2010-2011, No. 4 ranked recruit in Class of 2010)

The biggest recruiting bust with Kansas basketball under Bill Self is undoubtedly Josh Selby. His time at Kansas was an absolute disaster. Where do we start? The 37.3 shooting percentage, the improper benefits his family took, or him blaming KU’s program for his struggles?

Whichever aspect of Selby you want to remember him by, it is likely not a positive one. He was suspended nine games at the beginning of the 2010 season, and when he returned to the court, he played terribly.

Why couldn’t Kyrie Irving, the player ranked ahead of Selby, come to Kansas instead? Or just anybody besides him? He put Kansas in a whole lot of trouble for a guy who virtually gave the school nothing. After one season in Lawrence, he entered the NBA Draft in hopes of putting college basketball behind him.

Scouts raved about Selby in his individual workouts, and that got him drafted No. 49 overall by the Memphis Grizzlies. His tenure there was short-lived, especially after he was arrested for charges of marijuana as a rookie. As a draft prospect, he was high-risk and low-reward. Selby is, without a question, the most disappointing player that Bill Self has ever recruited.

Next. Five reasons to be excited about Hunter Dickinson. dark

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