Kansas basketball: Ranking the 10 greatest big men in Jayhawks history

No.10: Cole Aldrich (2007-2010)

Kansas basketball career stats: 111 games, 9.4 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 2.3 BPG, 57.4% FG

The defensive anchor of the late 2000s Jayhawks teams, Aldrich was a force to be reckoned with on both sides of the floor. After winning a national championship in his freshman year — more so in a reserve role — he took over starting duties as a sophomore and junior. When given an enlarged opportunity, Aldrich won the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year award in consecutive seasons and was selected as a Second Team Consensus All-American in 2010.

Aldrich, revered by KU fans for his never give up attitude and gritty nature, competed so intensely that he lost his front tooth vs. Kansas State. He even played through an entire game after breaking his nose. Rather than wearing a face guard, though, he simply stuffed two cotton swabs up each of his nostrils and went back to work.

He sits at No. 3 on Kansas’ all-time blocked shots leaders (253) and No. 9 for total rebounds (860). In 2009-10, Aldrich averaged an absurd 3.5 blocks per game, the third most in a single season by a Jayhawk.

Admittedly, it was difficult to place Aldrich ahead of guys like Azubuike and Bridges, who amassed so many individual achievements at KU. However, his defensive prowess gives him a slight edge over the other candidates — especially considering Aldrich played for some of the best Kansas teams in the 21st century.