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Kansas basketball in the NBA: Jalen Wilson will play for former Jayhawk Jacque Vaughn

By Joshua Schulman

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 16: Head coach Jacque Vaughn of the Brooklyn Nets reacts during the first half against the Sacramento Kings at Barclays Center on March 16, 2023 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 16: Head coach Jacque Vaughn of the Brooklyn Nets reacts during the first half against the Sacramento Kings at Barclays Center on March 16, 2023 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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The Brooklyn Nets drafted Jalen Wilson 51st overall, meaning he will be coached by former Kansas basketball standout Jacque Vaughn.

With the extensive lineage of talent they’ve produced, Kansas Jayhawks players can be found throughout all levels of professional basketball. That is no exception for the Brooklyn Nets, who now have a former Jayhawk as head coach and player.

Jacque Vaughn is one of the best playmakers to ever step foot in Allen Fieldhouse. His 804 career assists sit at No. 2 in Kansas basketball history, and he enjoyed a decade-long career in the NBA. Now, he is under the helm for Brooklyn, recently signing a long-term deal through the 2026-27 season after Hall of Famer Steve Nash was fired.

Now that Wilson is on the Nets, the two can share a Jayhawk connection for quite some time. After being named a Consensus First Team All-American in 2022-23, “J-Wil” has his plate full in the pros.

READ: Evaluating NBA Draft fits for Dick and Wilson

Of course, playing time will not be easy to come by for Wilson. He will begin the year behind several veteran forwards on the depth chart and could even see time in the G-League at one point. However, we’ve seen time and time again that he is a competitor, and he certainly won’t make it easy for Coach Vaughn to keep him on the bench.

It is always nice to see former Kansas basketball players reuniting in the NBA. There are currently two other Jayhawk duos in the league, though Wilson-Vaughn is the only head coach-player one. The Charlotte Hornets have Svi Mykhailiuk and Kelly Oubre Jr., while the Utah Jazz have Udoka Azubuike and Ochai Agbaji. Perhaps we will see another one form during this offseason’s free agency.

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