In its illustrious history, Kansas basketball has produced some terrific talent, but these 25 players have had the best NBA careers of any other former Jayhawks.
The Kansas Jayhawks have produced the fifth most NBA players compared to other schools. Although they have not sent as many guys to the league as some other blue-bloods, there is no denying that KU has an extensive lineage of professional talent.
There were 83 players to choose from, but just 25 could make the list. Here are the honorable mentions:
- Darrell Arthur
- Ron Franz
- Ben McLemore
- Paul Mokeski
With that being said, these are the 25 greatest Kansas basketball NBA careers of all-time.
Career statistics: 506 games, 4.4 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 0.4 APG, 49.4% FG
Detroit Pistons, 1997-1998
Sacramento Kings, 1998-2003
Indiana Pacers, 2003-2006
Cleveland Cavaliers, 2006-2007
Boston Celtics, 2007-2008
Although he’s more known for participating in Season 32 of Survivor and sporting freakish hairstyles on the court, Pollard put together a respectable career for himself. He won his first and only NBA Championship in 2008 with the Boston Celtics before his subsequent retirement.
Pollard eclipsed the 20-minute-per-game mark just twice in the pros, so he was merely a bench piece for teams who needed big-man depth. His best season came in 2001-02 when he averaged 6.4 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks. He played in a career-high 80 games that year, including 29 starts in place of the injured Chris Webber.
“Samurai Scot” was one of the biggest personalities in the NBA when he was active. He certainly didn’t care much for his public image — look no further than when he said to a camera, “Hey kids, do drugs.” Though he won’t be remembered as more than a benchwarmer in the league, not many players can say they made the postseason in over 90 percent of their NBA seasons.
Career statistics: 776 games, 4.5 PPG, 1.3 RPG, 2.5 APG, 42.9% FG
Utah Jazz, 1997-2001
Atlanta Hawks, 2001-2002
Orlando Magic, 2002-2003
Atlanta Hawks, 2003-2004
New Jersey Nets, 2004-2006
San Antonio Spurs, 2006-2009
Vaughn is a blueprint for backup point guards in the NBA. Fundamentally sound, made the right decisions, tough on-ball defender, and terrific playmaker. He was never the biggest guy on the court, but he always made his impact felt in the little ways.
He was Tony Parker’s backup when the San Antonio Spurs won an NBA title in 2007. In 2001-02, Vaughn averaged 6.6 points, 4.3 assists, and 0.8 steals while appearing in all 82 games for the Atlanta Hawks.
Although Vaughn bounced around teams, he was a serviceable second-unit guy during his time in the league. After his 12-year career, he became an assistant for Gregg Popovich just two years after his retirement. Vaughn is currently the head coach for the Brooklyn Nets and signed a long-term deal with them a few months ago.
Career statistics (as of 2023): 313 games, 11.6 PPG, 2.3 RPG, 4.5 APG, 37.4% FG
Charlotte Hornets, 2018-2021
New Orleans Pelicans, 2021-2023
San Antonio Spurs, 2023
If there is one thing Graham can do, it is shoot the basketball — and he certainly isn’t afraid to do it. Throughout his short career, Devonte’ takes an average of 6.7 three-pointers per game, hitting them at a 35.6 percent clip. He also has never shot above 38.2 percent from the field in a single season. It is safe to characterize him as a volume scorer.
His 2019-20 season is one of the more underappreciated ones in recent NBA history. Graham led the Charlotte Hornets in scoring, averaging 18.2 points to go with a team-high 7.5 assists. Even more impressively, he averaged 9.3 threes attempted and shot above the league-average percentage. He has limitless range and is terrific at creating his own shot.
Ever since Charlotte moved on from Devonte’, teams have not been too generous in regard to playing time. The San Antonio Spurs signed him after the New Orleans Pelicans traded him at the deadline in 2022-23. Playing for the legendary Gregg Popovich might make him a more disciplined player, and the Spurs could use a veteran presence like Graham to mentor their younger guys. Simply put, his NBA career is far from over.
Career statistics: 756 games, 4.6 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 0.6 APG, 48.6% FG
Utah Jazz, 1995-2004
Sacramento Kings, 2004-2005
Utah Jazz, 2005-2006
“The Big O” (not to be confused with Oscar Robinson) played on the late 90s Utah Jazz teams with John Stockton and Karl Malone. He was devoid of an offensive game but made up for it with his elite shot-blocking ability.
He averaged 1.1 or more blocks per game for 10 of his 11 seasons in the NBA. His career-high average was 2.7 blocks, which also happened to come in his best statistical season. In 1998-99, Ostertag put up 5.7 points and 7.3 rebounds, starting every game he appeared in (albeit in the NBA lockout year).
Ostertag played in Utah for all but one year. At 7-foot-2, 280 pounds, he was an absolute unit and one of the biggest guys in the league. It’s impressive that he stayed in the NBA as long as he did — he was extremely uncoordinated and terrible offensively.
A cool story to read up on: Ostertag donated his kidney to save his sister’s life in 2002.
Career statistics: 481 games, 6.8 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 1.0 APG, 42.6% FG
Indiana Pacers, 2008-2011
Golden State Warriors, 2011-2013
Utah Jazz, 2013-2014
Golden State Warriors, 2014-2016
Minnesota Timberwolves, 2016-2017
Rush, a Kansas City native, became a revered figure in Lawrence after leading the Jayhawks to a championship in 2008. The Portland Trail Blazers took him with the 13th selection of that same year’s NBA Draft, yet he was a draft day trade to the Indiana Pacers.
To be a role player in the NBA, you have to excel in specific aspects of the game — and Rush did just that. He couldn’t score as consistently as he did at the college level, but if there was one thing he could do, it was shoot the basketball. Rush made a living off his lifetime 40.2 percent three-point percentage.
Rush had a career year in his sophomore NBA season with Indiana. He averaged 9.4 points and 4.2 rebounds in 64 starts, all career highs. Several years later, Rush won an NBA Championship with the Golden State Warriors and even played 72 games on the team that went 73-9 in the regular season. During his time in the league, Rush was one of the best 3-and-D specialists, making him a valuable asset to whoever carried him on their roster.
Career statistics: 590 games, 8.5 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 0.7 APG, 43.4% FG
Cincinnati Royals, 1966-1969
Chicago Bulls, 1969-1970
Cleveland Cavaliers, 1970-1972
Phoenix Suns, 1972-1973
Capital Bullets, 1973-1974
Philadelphia 76ers, 1974
Milwaukee Bucks, 1974-1975
Los Angeles Lakers, 1975
After earning All-American honors twice with the Jayhawks, Wesley was selected sixth overall in the 1966 NBA Draft by the Cincinnati Royals. He’d later go on to score 50 points against the team that drafted him years later. His peak did not last long, but he had a string of very impressive seasons.
In 1970-71, Wesley averaged a career-high 17.7 points and 8.7 rebounds while playing all 82 games. He was the leading scorer for the Cleveland Cavaliers, who happened to end the year with a record of 15-67. Once he was traded to a better team, Wesley’s role diminished quickly, and he was nothing more than a backup.
Even if he is not one of the sexiest names on this list, Wesley played a decade in the league and had an exceptional career. His numbers in limited minutes were not terrible, though he is ranked as high as he is for his short-lived prime.
Career statistics: 565 games, 11.6 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 1.7 APG, 38.1% FG
San Francisco Warriors, 1962-1965
Baltimore Bullets, 1965-1967
Detroit Pistons, 1967
Denver Rockets (ABA), 1967-1969
Los Angeles/Utah Stars (ABA), 1969-1971
Texas Chaparrals (ABA), 1971
Carolina Cougars (ABA), 1971-1972
Wayne Hightower did most of his damage in the ABA, but it would be hard to keep such a solid player off of this list. He was a solid big man throughout his decade-long career. At Kansas, he was an All-American and spent a year with the Real Madrid basketball team before heading to the NBA.
The Philadelphia native was not too efficient, shooting over 40 percent from the field in just two seasons during his career. However, he was a stat sheet stuffer and a double-double threat on a nightly basis.
He made his first and only ABA All-Star team in 1969 with the Denver Rockets. A year later, he had his best season yet, averaging 18.1 points and 9.4 rebounds per game. Hightower could have had a much more successful NBA career if he did not reach his prime at such a late age, as he wasn’t a consistent starter until he turned 29.
Career statistics (as of 2023): 527 games, 12.8 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 1.0 APG, 43.1% FG
Washington Wizards, 2015-2019
Phoenix Suns, 2019-2020
Golden State Warriors, 2020-2021
Charlotte Hornets, 2021-2023
He might be more known for his looks than his on-the-court play, but Oubre has become a terrific scorer at the next level. For the first time in his career, he averaged more than 20 points per game in a single season. Some might argue that the statistics he posts are “empty numbers” because he tends to only perform with mediocre teams.
A one-and-done at Kansas, Oubre can score in a variety of ways on the floor. However, he isn’t the most efficient player, especially considering he is a 6-foot-7 forward. His lifetime 43.4 percent field goal percentage leaves something to be desired. Oubre is yet another example on this list of volume scorers.
At 27 years old, Oubre has had a better career than most players can claim they’ve had. If he limits his injuries and continues to post numbers as he did in the past season, it is not out of the question for him to enter the top 15 discussions on this list. As he enters his prime, the next few years will be vital for his legacy.
Career statistics: 910 games, 5.9 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 1.0 APG, 53.8% FG
Seattle SuperSonics/Oklahoma City Thunder, 2004-2018
Collison can be categorized as a Thunder lifer. He did have some productive NBA seasons, but his longevity earned him his spot on this list. His 910 career games played are the fifth most of all KU NBA players.
Despite being one of the most dominant big men in Kansas basketball history, his skill set was not transferable to the league. Collison never eclipsed double digits in the points column or more than one block per game. However, what he did show was a level of grit and intensity that not many other players could match.
His best season came in 2007-08, the final season that the Seattle SuperSonics played before their franchise relocated. He averaged 9.8 points and 9.4 rebounds per game, both career-highs. Collison spent all 14 years of his NBA career in Seattle/Oklahoma City, and he was always dedicated to their franchise before anything else. Every single team could use a guy like him — the Thunder retired his jersey because of his commitment to the organization, not how well he played.
Career statistics (as of 2023): 750 games, 10.6 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 1.6 APG, 44.6% FG
Phoenix Suns, 2011-2016
Washington Wizards, 2016-2019
Oklahoma City Thunder, 2019
Detroit Pistons, 2019-2020
Los Angeles Lakers, 2020-2021
Miami Heat, 2021-2022
Brooklyn Nets, 2022-2023
Dallas Mavericks, 2023
Unfortunately for Markieff, he sits a few spots behind his identical twin Marcus on this list — stay tuned to see where the latter landed. One thing Markieff does have on his brother is that he was drafted one pick before him, so there’s that.
He hasn’t ever found a consistent home in the NBA, not having lasted more than two years on a team since 2017. However, wherever he goes, his impact is usually felt. “Keef” averaged double-digit points for five consecutive seasons, including his 82-game campaign in 2014-15 when he posted 15.3 points per game for the Phoenix Suns.
Whereas he played more as a center for Kansas, Markieff transformed into a stretch four in the league. During his prime, he was a threat on the perimeter while also being able to guard bigger guys down low. His career is trending downwards, and retirement could be looming, but thankfully, Markieff received his first NBA Finals ring three years ago with the Los Angeles Lakers. He averaged 5.9 points and 3.0 rebounds, appearing in each game of the NBA Bubble Playoffs.
Career statistics: 563 games, 10.1 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 1.1 APG, 46.6% FG
Denver Nuggets, 1998-2002
Dallas Mavericks, 2002-2003
Boston Celtics, 2003-2006
Portland Trail Blazers, 2006-2008
A rim-protecting 7-footer who can shoot the three? What head coach doesn’t want that? That might have been more valued by teams nowadays, but LaFrentz never became the top-three talent that the Denver Nuggets thought he’d be coming out of the NBA Draft.
His lack of athleticism offset his other qualities, and an injury-plagued career did not help with his durability. LaFrentz was no stranger to being hurt — he suffered a season-ending torn meniscus just 12 games into his rookie year. Nonetheless, he was one of the best shot-blockers in the league when he played. In 2001-02, he averaged a career-high 2.7 blocks per game along with 13.5 points per game.
On top of being a threat defensively, LaFrentz could work opposing players in the post with his exceptional size. He also hit 36.3 percent of his three-pointers during his career, sinking 0.8 per game. Had his career not been cut short, he would have been much higher on the list. Despite being an NBA Draft bust, he was still an extremely effective player.
Career statistics: 646 games, 8.9 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 3.7 APG, 41.7% FG
Miami Heat, 2008-2015
Memphis Grizzlies, 2015-2018
Chalmers propelled Bill Self to his first NCAA Championship after sending Kansas to overtime with “The Shot.” His success did not end when he arrived in Miami to play for the Heat, winning two NBA Finals rings as their starting point guard.
Chalmers was a valuable piece in South Beach during his tenure, and he was not afraid of big moments. He even jawed with NBA legend LeBron James on the sidelines on several occasions. On top of being a solid playmaker, “Rio” controlled the offense’s tempo and was a pesky defender. He averaged one or more steals per game in each of his nine NBA seasons.
During his best statistical campaign, Chalmers averaged 10.0 points, 4.9 assists, and 2.0 steals — all in his first year in the league. It earned him a spot on the All-Rookie Second Team. He was a reliable veteran presence that played his role perfectly alongside the “Big Three” in Miami.
Career statistics: 620 games, 8.7 PPG, 2.1 RPG, 5.0 APG, 43.7% FG
Portland Trail Blazers, 1981-1986
Los Angeles Clippers, 1986-1988
Cleveland Cavaliers, 1988-1991
Valentine’s average of 5.0 assists per game ranks No. 1 of all Kansas NBA players all-time. In 1984-85 with the Portland Trail Blazers, he averaged a career-high 7.0 assists and 1.9 steals per game. His playmaking and defensive ability made him a thriving NBA player.
Although his forte was creating opportunities for his teammates, he also could take it to the rack and score himself. Valentine played in a time when the three-point shot was not as prevalent, but he was a pass-first guard anyways.
Nearly all of his success came in the early stages of his career, as he didn’t play another NBA game after turning 31 years old. He spent multiple seasons playing in Italy before his subsequent retirement.
Career statistics: 790 games, 11.0 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 1.1 APG, 46.2% FG
Memphis Grizzlies, 2002-2003
Orlando Magic, 2003-2004
Cleveland Cavaliers, 2004-2008
Chicago Bulls, 2008-2009
Sacramento Kings, 2009
San Antonio Spurs, 2009
Dallas Mavericks, 2009-2010
Los Angeles Clippers, 2010
Milwaukee Bucks, 2010-2013
Washington Wizards, 2013-2016
Gooden was the definition of a journeyman. He played for ten teams across his 14-year NBA career, once being traded three times in a single season.
His numbers were about as consistent as they could be. He averaged double-digits in the points column in each season of his first decade of playing but never surpassed 14 points per game. Although it’s not much of an outlier, Gooden’s best season came in 2004-05 with the Cleveland Cavaliers with an average of 14.4 points and 9.2 rebounds.
Even if he did not live up to being a top-five draft selection, Gooden was a dependable big man and a respected veteran toward the end of his career. He might have been appreciated more in today’s game, as his athleticism for a 6-foot-10, 250-pound forward was off the charts.
Career statistics: 930 games, 11.4 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 1.8 APG, 46.4% FG
Denver Rockets/Nuggets (ABA), 1971-1975
San Diego Sails (ABA), 1975
Indiana Pacers (ABA/NBA), 1975-1977
Los Angeles Lakers, 1977-1979
Cleveland Cavaliers, 1979-1980
Denver Nuggets, 1980-1983
San Antonio Spurs, 1984
Kansas City Kings, 1984
Robisch split time between both leagues — five seasons in the ABA and nine in the NBA — but made his impact felt in both. His statistics were consistent, as he averaged 14.2 points and 8.2 rebounds between 1971 and 1977 — somewhat on par with his career numbers.
He was never in one place for too long, playing for seven teams throughout his 14-year career. The lefty from Cincinnati, Ohio, was one of the best inside scorers in the league during his tenure in the NBA. Despite being a third-round draft selection, he was quietly one of the best big men during this time.
One of the most underrated Jayhawks in the NBA, Robisch had a terrific NBA career. Although he isn’t as well-known as other players on this list, there is no denying what he accomplished in college and the pros.
Career statistics (as of 2023): 783 games, 12.3 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 1.5 APG, 43.4% FG
Houston Rockets, 2011-2013
Phoenix Suns, 2013-2015
Detroit Pistons, 2015-2017
Boston Celtics, 2017-2019
New York Knicks, 2019-2020
Los Angeles Clippers, 2020-2023
If you read slide No. 16 and were waiting to see Markieff’s twin brother, you’ve reached your destination. Marcus has been the better of the Morrises in the NBA due to his superior scoring ability and longevity. Even entering his age 34 season, Morris is coming off an 11.2 point per game average in 2022-23.
His best (half) season came with the New York Knicks in 2019-20. Before being dealt at the trade deadline to the team he plays for now — the Los Angeles Clippers — Marcus was on a heater in the Mecca of Basketball. In 43 games, he averaged a team-high 19.6 points on an absurd 43.9 percent three-point percentage. He has never posted numbers like those again but performs better in the role as the second or third scoring option regardless.
Morris is a hybrid forward who can put the ball in the net in multiple ways. He can beat less athletic defenders off the dribble or bully small guards in the post to create space for an easy jumper. It took Marcus a few years in the league to get fully settled in, but he’s consistently been one of the NBA’s better wings for the past decade or so.
Career statistics: 879 games, 11.4 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 4.8 APG, 41.1% FG
Chicago Bulls, 2003-2010
Washington Wizards, 2010-2011
Atlanta Hawks, 2011-2012
Chicago Bulls, 2012-2016
Atlanta Hawks, 2016
You’d probably be surprised to know just how good Hinrich was at the beginning of his career. Between 2003 and 2008, he averaged 14.4 points, 6.4 assists, and 1.3 steals per game with a 41.4/37.7/81.6 slash line. He somehow took a team otherwise led by Eddy Curry and Ben Gordon to a 47-35 record in 2004-05.
Like many other point guards on this list, Hinrich recorded lots of steals and assists. Additionally, his offense improved over the years, and his shooting percentage gradually improved each season. He was fundamentally sound and the perfect true point.
The arrival of Derrick Rose in Chicago cut his prime short, but Kirk was capable of posting very good numbers when needed. He was an aggressive player who was widely regarded as one of the league’s best defenders. Hinrich earned a spot on the 2007 All-Defensive Second Team and the 2004 All-Rookie First Team (which happened to include LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, and Carmelo Anthony… clearly not the best company).
Career statistics (as of 2023): 635 games, 19.1 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 2.3 APG, 44.9% FG
Minnesota Timberwolves, 2014-2020
Golden State Warriors, 2020-2023
Has he lived up to his nickname as the Canadian Michael Jordan? No. But Wiggins has had a really, really good NBA career. When you come into the league with expectations as high as he had, it is hard to impress anyone.
Wiggins has not averaged less than 17 points since he won Rookie of the Year in 2015. Availability is as important as anything in today’s league, and he’s played 70 or more games in seven of his nine NBA seasons — 81 or 82 in four. Very few players are as consistent as Wiggins, and he just turned 28 years old at the time of this article.
After spending multiple years with the Minnesota Timberwolves, he was dealt to the Golden State Warriors at the trade deadline in 2020. Two seasons later, Wiggins won an NBA Championship in the Bay Area, serving as an X-factor alongside Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. Additionally, he made his first All-Star team that year in 2022 and played the game as a Western Conference starter. Considering he is just entering his prime, even better things could be in store for him within the next few years.
Career statistics: 926 games, 11.9 PPG, 11.9 RPG, 2.8 APG, 44.2% FG
St. Louis/Atlanta Hawks, 1962-1971
Philadelphia 76ers, 1971-1972
Los Angeles Lakers, 1972-1974
Golden State Warriors, 1975
Bridges is just one of three players on this list to have averaged a double-double for his career. He was the successor of the great Bob Pettit for the Hawks franchise, making three All-Star teams between 1966 and 1970.
His best statistical season was in 1966-67 when he put up 17.4 points and 15.1 rebounds. Despite being 6-foot-6, he could grab boards over the best of them. Bridges was also named to the All-Defensive team twice in his career.
He didn’t play a single game with the team that originally drafted him — the Chicago Packers — and had to play two years in the ABL before he received enough recognition to reach the NBA. The St. Louis Hawks didn’t expect much when they signed a third-round pick to a minimum deal, but he turned out to be a pleasant surprise for the organization.
Career statistics: 883 games, 14.0 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 2.3 APG, 51.1% FG
Los Angeles Clippers, 1988-1994
Atlanta Hawks, 1994
Phoenix Suns, 1994-1999
Milwaukee Bucks, 1999-2000
Utah Jazz, 2000-2001
Dallas Mavericks, 2001-2002
Detroit Pistons, 2002-2003
The greatest Jayhawk of all-time did not amount to what draft scouts thought he would when coming out of school. Still, he was one of the best power forwards in the league for about ten years. His NBA career was still a tremendous success.
He made back-to-back All-Star teams between 1992-93 and 1993-94. In those two seasons, he averaged 21.8 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.2 blocks. Manning was still effective for a long time after that, posting 13.4 points or more in each of his first ten seasons.
Who knows what Manning might have become if he was not hurt so often? He tore his ACL just 26 games into his rookie year and tore the same one several years later. The injury monster haunted him throughout his NBA career, and he could have been a Hall of Fame caliber player if he lived up to his potential.
Career statistics: 704 games, 17.0 PPG, 9.5 RPG, 1.6 APG, 44.3% FG
Minneapolis Lakers, 1953-1957
Cincinnati Royals, 1957-1958
St. Louis Hawks, 1958-1962
Boston Celtics, 1962-1964
The first Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer on this list, Lovellette is one of the most accomplished centers ever, not just at Kansas. He was the first player to win an NCAA Championship team, an Olympic gold medal, and an NBA Championship — and he did all of that in a two-year span.
After helping legendary Kansas basketball head coach Phog Allen win his third national title in 1952, Lovellette did not take long to leave his mark on the NBA. He won an NBA Championship as a rookie, then averaged 18.7 points and 11.5 rebounds in his second season. His best statistical year came in 1955-56 when he averaged 21.5 points and 14.0 rebounds per game.
He had the opportunity to be mentored by centers such as George Mikan and Bill Russell. Lovellette won three NBA Finals during his 11 years in the NBA, also making four All-Star teams. Without a doubt, he had one of the most storied careers of any KU player to ever make the league.
Career statistics: 837 games, 17.2 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 4.9 APG, 44.4% FG
Boston Celtics, 1969-1979
Golden State Warriors, 1979-1980
Kansas City Kings, 1980
It seems as though every player on the 60s or 70s Celtics teams has an extraordinary background, and that is indeed the case with Jo Jo White. What makes his career even crazier is that he almost lost two years in the NBA due to a two-year military obligation, but Boston’s general manager made sure that Jo Jo did not slip away — they had extremely high hopes for him.
White won two NBA titles, was the Finals MVP in 1976, made seven All-Star teams, two All-NBA teams, and was selected to the Hall of Fame in 2015. He enjoyed nearly a decade of greatness, and he was always one of the best players in the sport when he was active.
There are not many players in the history of the league who were fiercer competitors than White. He will forever go down as a legend for the Kansas Jayhawks and the Boston Celtics.
Career statistics (as of 2023): 394 games, 27.2 PPG, 11.2 RPG, 3.4 APG, 54.8% FG
Philadelphia 76ers, 2014-2023
Embiid’s motto is to “trust the process,” and the process has worked out pretty well. A foot injury stalled his debut for two years, but he put the league on notice as soon as he stepped on the court. Embiid was an MVP runner-up for consecutive seasons before finally bringing the award home this year. In his greatest statistical season ever, the Cameroonian native averaged 33.1 points and 10.2 rebounds per game on 54.8 percent shooting.
An argument can be made that he is a top-three player in the sport right now. He’s won two scoring titles, made five All-NBA teams, and been an All-Star in each full season that he has played. Aside from never reaching the conference finals, there are very few blemishes on Embiid’s resume.
Keep in mind that this was created following the conclusion of the 76ers’ 2022-23 NBA season. If Embiid continues to build up his legacy in the NBA, there is a chance that he could jump the No. 2 player on this list. But until he gets over the hump in the playoffs and stops getting injured so often, it’ll be difficult for that to happen.
Career statistics: 1,343 games, 19.7 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 3.5 APG, 44.5% FG
Boston Celtics, 1998-2013
Brooklyn Nets, 2013-2014
Washington Wizards, 2014-2015
Los Angeles Clippers, 2015-2017
Paul Pierce, also dubbed as “The Truth,” comes in at No. 2 on the list. He played nearly 300 games more than any other player on this list, but that’s not the only reason why he comes in just shy of No. 1. Pierce is one of the most accomplished small forwards in NBA history.
In his first and only NBA Finals victory, he took home the MVP of the series in 2008. His 21.8 points and 6.3 assists per game average was enough to take down the Kobe Bryant-led Los Angeles Lakers. On top of that, he was named to four All-NBA teams, ten All-Star teams, and the NBA 75th Anniversary Team.
His best statistical seasons came from 2000 to 2003 when he averaged 25.8 points and 6.9 rebounds. Pierce’s mid-range game was one of the best we have ever witnessed, and he is one of the game’s top pure scorers ever. It was an easy choice to place someone with a history as illustrious as his at No. 2, but nobody will ever surpass the top player on this list. Which leads us to…
Career statistics: 1,045 games, 30.1 PPG, 22.9 RPG, 4.4 APG, 54.0% FG
Philadelphia/San Francisco Warriors, 1959-1965
Philadelphia 76ers, 1965-1968
Los Angeles Lakers, 1968-1973
Not only is Wilt the greatest Kansas basketball player to ever step foot on an NBA court, but he’s also arguably a top-five player in the league’s history.
Chamberlain boasts a plethora of accomplishments, such as being the only man to ever score 100 points in a game, being the all-time leader in rebounds and rebounds per game, and becoming the first player to ever reach the 30,000 career points plateau.
It’s hard to list all of his milestones on a single page, but we can try to pinpoint the most significant ones — four-time MVP, Hall of Famer, two-time NBA Champion, 13-time All-Star, and seven-time scoring champion. The list goes on.
He was the most dominant player of his generation, and before the Michael Jordan’s and LeBron James’ of the league, an argument could have been made that Wilt is the “GOAT” of the NBA. His statistics are absolutely bizarre — can you name another player that averaged 50 points and 25 rebounds in a season? Without question, Wilt had the best NBA career of all former Kansas Jayhawks.
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