I was having this debate with a few friends and was curious to bring it to the Slant to get everyone's opinion. Who would you put on the Mt. Rushmore of Kansas Basketball. For me it would be:
James Naismith - For the simple reason that none of this would exist without him
Phog Allen - 2 Helms National Championships, 1952 NCAA Champions, 1940 and 1953 NCAA Runner-Up, 26 Conference Titles, 1952 Olympic Gold Medal, Hall of Fame Inductee
Danny Manning
Wilt Chamberlain
However, with the amount of amazing coaches and players this program has been blessed with for 100+ years, I thought it might be interesting to also do a decade-by-decade Mt. Rushmore Team. I would suspect that most of you have the same Mt. Rushmore as myself, maybe switching out Phog for Bill, but I think doing it by decades will help us to see some differing opinions. Looking forward to hearing back from all of you. My Mt. "Jayhawk" for the past few decades are below....
2010s - Bill Self / Frank Mason / Thomas Robinson / Perry Ellis (Hoping we can replace Perry on this list by the time the decade is out no offense to Perry)
2000s - This I believe is the toughest one to call
Bill Self / Nick Collison / Sherron Collins / Kirk Hinrich
1990s - Roy Williams / Raef Lafrentz / Paul Pierce / Jacque Vaughn
1980s - Larry Brown / Danny Manning / Danny Manning / Danny Manning (only sort of kidding)
But really - Larry Brown / Danny Manning / Kevin Pritchard / Calvin Thompson
1970s - Ted Owens / Darnell Valentine / Bud Stallworth / Dave Robisch
1960s - Jo Jo White / Walt Wesley / Bill Bridges / Wayne Hightower
1950s - Phog Allen / Wilt Chamberlain / Clyde Lovellette / BH Born
1940s - Phog Allen / Ray Evans / Charlie Black / Otto Schnellenbacher (SP)
That is as far back as I'll go - what are the Slant's thoughts?
James Naismith - For the simple reason that none of this would exist without him
Phog Allen - 2 Helms National Championships, 1952 NCAA Champions, 1940 and 1953 NCAA Runner-Up, 26 Conference Titles, 1952 Olympic Gold Medal, Hall of Fame Inductee
Danny Manning
Wilt Chamberlain
However, with the amount of amazing coaches and players this program has been blessed with for 100+ years, I thought it might be interesting to also do a decade-by-decade Mt. Rushmore Team. I would suspect that most of you have the same Mt. Rushmore as myself, maybe switching out Phog for Bill, but I think doing it by decades will help us to see some differing opinions. Looking forward to hearing back from all of you. My Mt. "Jayhawk" for the past few decades are below....
2010s - Bill Self / Frank Mason / Thomas Robinson / Perry Ellis (Hoping we can replace Perry on this list by the time the decade is out no offense to Perry)
2000s - This I believe is the toughest one to call
Bill Self / Nick Collison / Sherron Collins / Kirk Hinrich
1990s - Roy Williams / Raef Lafrentz / Paul Pierce / Jacque Vaughn
1980s - Larry Brown / Danny Manning / Danny Manning / Danny Manning (only sort of kidding)
But really - Larry Brown / Danny Manning / Kevin Pritchard / Calvin Thompson
1970s - Ted Owens / Darnell Valentine / Bud Stallworth / Dave Robisch
1960s - Jo Jo White / Walt Wesley / Bill Bridges / Wayne Hightower
1950s - Phog Allen / Wilt Chamberlain / Clyde Lovellette / BH Born
1940s - Phog Allen / Ray Evans / Charlie Black / Otto Schnellenbacher (SP)
That is as far back as I'll go - what are the Slant's thoughts?
