Media mogul Bleacher Report came out with their all-time top 100 NBA players list, and three former Jayhawks were selected, so we have combed through the extensive list place where each Kansas great was placed on this list.
No. 66 Joel Embiid
The Kansas center spent one year as a Jayhawk, where Embiid was named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year after setting the KU freshman blocking record with 72 blocked shots. Embiid was also nominated to the USBWA Freshman All-America Team. Embiid started 20 games and played in 28 in 2013-14. That same year the Philadelphia 76er finished second in the Big 12 in blocks (2.6) and sixth in rebounds (8.1) to add to his 11.2 scoring average. Embiid also set the KU freshman record in field goal percentage (62.6) and rebounding average (8.1). Embiid was sidelined with a back stress fracture, which kept him out of the last six games as Kansas was eliminated in the Sweet 16 of the 2013-14 season.
Here is what Bleacher report said of Embiid.
"It’s starting to seem like Embiid’s career will be best remembered for having injury-ravaged bookends on either side of a brief, dominant prime. After losing the first two-and-a-half seasons of his career to injury, Embiid averaged 20.2 points as a “rookie” in 2016-17, seemingly validating the Sixers’ infamous 'Process.'
"The best stretch of Embiid’s career came from 2020-21 to 2022-23, when he finished second, second and first in MVP voting and was the clear top challenger to Nikola Jokić's incredible run during that same span.
"Embiid had loads of physical advantages when healthy, including balletic footwork, shooting touch and pure strength. But he also developed serious craft and led the league in made free throws three times and is the current all-time leader in career free-throw makes per game at 8.3.
"With games played totals of 39 in 2023-24 and just 19 this past season, Embiid is struggling to stay on the floor more than ever. He’s a Hall of Famer if he never plays another game."
No. 49 Paul Pierce
Pierce spent three years at Kansas, where "The Truth" was selected as a 1998 first-team All-American. Pierce was also named a finalist for the 1998 John Wooden Award. Pierce finished his collegiate career averaging 16.4 points per game on an electric 48.1% from the field, while also marking just over six rebounds per game and 2.2 assists.
Here is what Bleacher report said of Pierce.
"Few forwards throughout NBA history blended footwork, strength and clutch shotmaking like Paul Pierce. He didn’t blow by defenders or soar over them; he outsmarted them with timing, touch and toughness. Getting tough buckets was his thing.
"For a decade between 1998 and 2008, Pierce was the face of the Celtics, but it was in '08 that he finally broke through. The title over Kobe Bryant’s Lakers, paired with his Finals MVP, locked in Pierce's legacy as one of the league’s most dependable stars.
"Overall, Pierce’s legend came alive in the postseason. There was the 41-point Game 7 to take down LeBron. The iconic 'wheelchair game' where he came back from a sprained MC, sank back-to-back threes, and helped lead Boston to a Game 1 win over L.A. Even late in his career, Pierce gave us one last signature moment with “I called game!” after a walk-off bank shot to beat the Hawks in the East Semis.
"With over 26,000 career points (No. 18 all-time) and a clutch highlight reel that spans nearly two decades, Pierce didn’t just score, he showed up when it mattered most.
"That's the truth. And when it was all said and done, he'd built himself a top-50 all-time resume."
No. 9 Wilt Chamberlain
Without doubt, one of the best centers in NBA history, but the legacy didn't just start out of college. As a matter of fact, Chamberlain was an electric Jayhawk. Chamberlain. Chamberlain marked 29.9 points per game in his 48 games played on 47% shooting on a whopping 22 field goals attempted per game.
Chamberlain was nominated as a consensus All-American in 1957 and 1958, Chamberlain was also nominated as the Most Outstanding Player of the 1957 NCAA Tournament.
Here is what Bleacher Report said of Chamberlain
"Chamberlain began his career by averaging 37.6 points and 27.0 rebounds for the Philadelphia Warriors in 1959-60, winning Rookie of the Year and MVP. Two seasons later, he averaged 48.5 minutes and put up 50.4 points per game.
"He scored 100 points on March 2, 1962. He grabbed 55 rebounds on Nov. 24, 1960. He played 63 minutes in a game twice, on Dec. 8, 1961 and Feb. 2, 1969. Nobody has more baffling single-game or full-season numbers than Wilt.
"In 1967-68, he made a conscious effort to lead the league in assists—like, just because. His 702 total dimes were more than anyone else handed out.
"The unfathomable stats speak to Chamberlain’s physical dominance. He was simply on an athletic level no one had ever reached—a combination of size, strength and dexterity that a fledgling NBA couldn’t contain."