Entering the first week of the NBA season, there are officially 67 former players from teams now in the gauntlet known as the Big 12 Conference. One week ago, the Kansas Jayhawks would have led the way with 13 players in the league, but the Portland Trail Blazers recently released PG Devonte’ Graham. Now they are tied at 12 with the Arizona Wildcats:
Arizona Wildcats: Aaron Gordon and Zeke Nnaji (Nuggets), Bennedict Mathurin and T.J. McConnell (Pacers), Pelle Larsson and Keshad Johnson (Heat), Josh Green (Hornets), Christian Koloko (Lakers), Lauri Markkanen (Jazz), Deandre Ayton (Trail Blazers), Dalen Terry (Bulls), and Brandon Williams (Mavericks).
Kansas Jayhawks: Joel Embiid and Kelly Oubre (76ers), Ochai Agbaji and Gradey Dick (Raptors), Markieff Morris and Quentin Grimes (Mavericks), Christian Braun (Nuggets), Johnny Furphy (Pacers), Kevin McCullar Jr. (Knicks), Svi Mykhailiuk (Jazz), Andrew Wiggins (Warriors), and Jalen Wilson (Nets).
Quentin Grimes was actually recorded as a tally mark for the Houston Cougars, not the Kansas Jayhawks due to finishing his college career there, but Kansas fans know that “Once a Jayhawk, Always a Jayhawk”.
Where do the rest of the Big 12 rank in terms of NBA players entering the 2024-2025 season?
There are 14 teams in the Big 12 this season and while Kansas and Arizona lead the way with 12 players each, the rest of the conference is still well represented. In fact, All 14 teams in the conference have at least one former player on an initial NBA roster.
Baylor secures the bronze medal behind Houston and Kansas with 11 players. Take a look at the entire list:
Big 12 School Players in the NBA
Kansas: 12 players
Arizona: 12 players
Baylor: 11 players
Colorado: 7 players
Houston: 5 players
Iowa State: 4 players
Oklahoma State: 3 players
West Virginia: 3 players
Utah: 3 players
Arizona State: 3 players
TCU: 2 players
Texas Tech: 1 player
UCF: 1 player
Kansas State: 1 player
The crimson and blue do have several players on the team this season that could eventually add to this number of Jayhawks in the NBA, too. More specifically, the frontcourt trio of Big 12 POTY candidate Hunter Dickinson, versatile forward KJ Adams, and freshman phenom Flory Bidunga all could have huge seasons in Lawrence this year.
Kansas will open up their college basketball season on Nov. 4 against Howard and then face off in a huge matchup against No. 9 ranked North Carolina on Nov. 8. Until then, KU basketball fans will just need to live vicariously through these former Jayhawks in the NBA.