The NBA Draft is right here, and some former Jayhawks may add their names to a protracted listing of former Kansas basketball athletes to play within the league.
Ochai Agbaji and Christian Braun are each projected to be chosen within the first spherical of Thursday’s draft. Draft specialists view Agbaji as a late-lottery choice (picks 10-15), whereas Braun is considered by many as a late first-rounder choose. Fellow Jayhawk David McCormack declared for the draft however analysts do not assume he is a lock to be chosen.
If these three make it onto the court docket this season, they’d be the 82nd, 83rd and 84th Kansas basketball gamers to play within the NBA.
This is a take a look at each former Jayhawk who performed within the NBA, ordered by their first season within the league.
KU basketball gamers at the moment within the NBA
Sixteen former Jayhawks appeared in at the very least one NBA sport final season. Of these gamers, Joel Embiid and Andrew Wiggins made the largest impression.
Embiid was an MVP contender after averaging a career-high 30.6 factors, 11.7 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.5 blocks and 1.1 steals per sport. He performed in a career-best 68 video games and led the Philadelphia 76ers to the second spherical of the playoffs.
Wiggins, in the meantime, discovered his rhythm on the largest stage, successful the 2022 NBA Finals with the Golden State Warriors. Wiggins made his first NBA all star group and averaged 17.2 factors and 4.5 rebounds.
Extra:This is the place Kansas’ Ochai Agbaji, Christian Braun are anticipated to go within the 2022 NBA draft
Kansas basketball gamers who’ve performed within the NBA
Quentin Grimes (2021-2022)
Marcus Garrett (2021-2022)
Devon Dotson (2021-2022)
Udoka Azubuike (2021-2022)
Malik Newman (2020-2022)
Svi Mykhailiuk (2019-2022)
Devonte’ Graham (2019-2022)
Frank Mason III (2018-2021)
Josh Jackson (2018-2022)
Wayne Selden (2017-2022)
Joel Embiid (2017-2022)
Cheick Diallo (2017-2022)
Sasha Kaun (2016-2016)
Cliff Alexander (2016-2016)
Kelly Oubre Jr. (2016-2022)
Tarik Black (2015-2018)
Andrew Wiggins (2015-2022)
Jeff Withey (2014-2018)
Ben McLemore (2014-2022)
Tyshawn Taylor (2013-2014)
Thomas Robinson (2013-2017)
Josh Selby (2012-2013)
Markieff Morris (2012-2022)
Marcus Morris (2012-2022)
Sherron Collins (2011-2011)
Xavier Henry (2011-2015)
Cole Aldrich (2011-2018)
J.R. Giddens (2009-2010)
Darnell Jackson (2009-2011)
Brandon Rush (2009-2017)
Mario Chalmers (2009-2018)
Darrell Arthur (2009-2018)
Keith Langford (2008-2008)
Julian Wright (2001-2008)
Aaron Miles (2006-2006)
Wayne Simien (2006-2007)
Billy Thomas (2005-2008)
Nick Collison (2005-2018)
Kirk Hinrich (2004-2016)
Drew Gooden (2003-2016)
Ryan Robertson (2000-2000)
Raef LaFrentz (1999-2008)
Paul Pierce (1999-2017)
Scot Pollard (1998-2008)
Jacque Vaughn (1998-2009)
Ben Davis (1997-2000)
Greg Ostertag (1996-2006)
Darrin Hancock (1995-1997)
Adonis Jordan (1994-1999)
Rex Walters (1994-2000)
Cedric Hunter (1992-1992)
Mark Randall (1992-1995)
Rick Calloway (1991-1991)
Kevin Pritchard (1991-1996)
Danny Manning (1989-2003)
Greg Dreiling (1987-1997)
Brian Martin (1986-1986)
Carl Henry (1986-1986)
Dave Magley (1983-1983)
John Douglas (1982-1983)
Darnell Valentine (1982-1991)
Paul Mokeski (1980-1991)
Norm Cook dinner (1977-1978)
Bud Stallworth (1973-1977)
Roger Brown (1973-1980)
Pierre Russell (1972-1973)
Dave Robisch (1972-1984)
Jo Jo White (1970-1981)
Bobby Wilson (1968-1968)
Rainey Lochmann (1968-1970)
Ronald Franz (1968-1973)
Walt Wesley (1967-1976)
Wayne Hightower (1963-1972)
Invoice Bridges (1963-1975)
Maurice King (1960-1963)
Wilt Chamberlain (1960-1973)
Clyde Lovellette (1954-1964)
Otto Schnelbacher (1949-1949)
Jack Eskridge (1949-1949)
Charlie Black (1949-1952)
Giff Roux (1947-1949)
Extra:The place will Ochai Agbaji and Christian Braun be picked? How you can watch the 2022 NBA Draft
Out of that listing, 4 names stand out: Wilt Chamberlain, Paul Pierce, Jo Jo White and Clyde Lovellette. The widespread denominator? They’re all corridor of famers.
Chamberlain was a four-time MVP, two-time NBA champion and 13-time all star throughout his NBA profession, scoring the Nineteenth-most factors all time. He was a seven-time scoring champion and likewise led the league in assists in 1968. 13 is retired by the Golden State Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers and Los Angeles Lakers. Chamberlain averaged 30.1 factors, 22.9 rebounds and 4.4 assists per sport for his profession.
Pierce is the latest Jayhawk to make it into the corridor of fame. Spending most of his profession with the Boston Celtics earlier than bouncing round to the Brooklyn Nets, Washington Wizards and Los Angeles Clippers, Pierce made 10 NBA all-star groups. He received a championship and Finals MVP in 2008 with the Celtics earlier than getting his jersey retired. Pierce averaged 19.7 factors in his time within the NBA.
White, one other Celtic, averaged 17.2 factors, 4.9 assists and 4 rebounds in his 13-year NBA profession. He was a seven-time NBA all star, received the Finals in 1976 and 1974 and was named the Finals MVP in 1976. The Celtics retired his No. 10 jersey, too.
Lovellette was a four-time NBA all star and received three titles. He averaged 17 factors and 9.5 rebounds in his skilled profession.
What number of NBA first-round picks has KU basketball produced?
There have been 36 first-round NBA draft picks from the Kansas basketball group. The newest: Quentin Grimes, who performed one season at KU earlier than transferring to Houston, was taken at No. 25 total in 2021.
How you can watch the 2022 NBA Draft
The NBA Draft kicks off at 7 pm CT Thursday from the Barclays Heart in Brooklyn, New York. ABC will televise the primary spherical, whereas ESPN will broadcast each the primary and second rounds.
Learn extra about KU basketball and the NBA Draft
Adam Hensley is a digital producer with the USA Immediately Community. You may comply with him on Twitter @A_Hens83 or attain him at ahensley@gannett.com.