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

No. 4: Nick Collison (1999-2003)

Kansas basketball career stats: 142 games, 14.8 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 1.7 BPG, 56.2% FG

Collison has been the best big man to make his way to Kansas in the last 35 years. He accomplished practically everything you could think of during his tenure with the Jayhawks — of course, not including a championship.

He never sat out a game in four years, and it paid off, as he finished No. 2 all-time in points scored with 2,097. Collison also ranks No. 3 in total rebounds and No. 4 in shots blocked. When he graduated from the university, he left as the Big 12 all-time leader in points and rebounds.

Kirk Hinrich and Collison led KU to the 2003 national title game before subsequently falling to the Carmelo Anthony-led Syracuse Orange in the final. He was outstanding that season, averaging 18.5 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game. There haven’t been many players with his level of consistency in NCAA history.

His collegiate accolades include being a McDonald’s High School All-American, two-time First Team All-Big 12 selection, Big 12 Player of the Year, the 2003 NABC Player of the Year, and the list goes on. Collison was an unstoppable force in college basketball and the greatest Kansas basketball big in the modern era.