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

No. 5: Raef LaFrentz (1994-1998)

Kansas basketball career stats: 131 games, 15.8 PPG, 9.1 RPG, 1.1 BPG, 55.5% FG

LaFrentz started each game he appeared in as a Jayhawk, posting strong statistical campaigns throughout all four of his years. He consistently overpowered Big 8/12 schools with his ability to stretch the floor and dominate on the glass.

Despite his slender 6-foot-11 frame, he was capable of just about anything on the hardwood. Opposing offenses and defenses feared him alike. Although he became a much more prominent shot blocker in the NBA, he and Scot Pollard or Eric Chenowith served as the twin tower big men for head coach Roy Williams.

He sits near the summit of several accolades at Kansas, such as total rebounds (1,186), good for No. 2 all-time. LaFrentz is also one of three Jayhawks to ever score 2,000 points (2,066), finishing 32 points away from the second spot.

The Iowa native played alongside Hall of Famer Paul Pierce for three years, yet took home the Big 12 Player of the Year award in both 1997 and 1998. When the NBA Draft came, LaFrentz was taken third overall while Pierce was taken tenth. When you’re beating out one of the best players in Kansas basketball history for individual awards, it should come as no surprise why he cracked the top 5 of this list.