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Kansas Basketball: Top 20 Players Ever to Play for Head Coach Bill Self

By Tristan Freeman

KANSAS CITY, MO - MARCH 10: Head coach Bill Self of the Kansas Jayhawks celebrates as the Jayhawks defeat the West Virginia Mountaineers 81-70 to win the Big 12 Basketball Tournament Championship game at Sprint Center on March 10, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO - MARCH 10: Head coach Bill Self of the Kansas Jayhawks celebrates as the Jayhawks defeat the West Virginia Mountaineers 81-70 to win the Big 12 Basketball Tournament Championship game at Sprint Center on March 10, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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DES MOINES, IA – MARCH 19: Head coach Kevin Ollie talks to Perry Ellis #34 of the Kansas Jayhawks as he walks off of the court after injuring his knee in the first half against the Connecticut Huskies during the second round of the 2016 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Wells Fargo Arena on March 19, 2016 in Des Moines, Iowa. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
DES MOINES, IA – MARCH 19: Head coach Kevin Ollie talks to Perry Ellis #34 of the Kansas Jayhawks as he walks off of the court after injuring his knee in the first half against the Connecticut Huskies during the second round of the 2016 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Wells Fargo Arena on March 19, 2016 in Des Moines, Iowa. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

5. Cole Aldrich – Kansas Jayhawks (2008-2010)

Career stats: 9.4 ppg 7.7 rpg 0.6 apg

After a getting some minutes on the 2008 title team as a freshman, Aldrich became a star the following year. He averaged 14.9 ppg and 11.1 rpg, while shooting 60% from the field. The center became an all-time blocked shots leader at Kansas and recorded the program’s first-ever triple-double (with blocks) against Dayton. All the more impressive considering that it happened in the NCAA Tournament.

4. Tim Gill – Oral Roberts Golden Eagles (1995-1998)

Career stats: 17.5 ppg 2.7 rpg 3.4 apg

The first “star” that Self has had as a college coach, Gill came out the gate as a great scorer, averaging over 16 ppg his freshman season. The talented guard helped lead a turnaround for the program, moving them from an independent to their new home in the Mid-Continent Conference in 1998. It’s hard to compare Gill to players 20 years after him, but he climbs the rankings because simply without him, Self doesn’t get to coach the other players on the list.

3. Perry Ellis – Kansas Jayhawks (2013-2016)

Career stats: 12.5 ppg 5.8 rpg 1.0 apg

He might be known today mostly for all the “old” jokes, but it actually is the ultimate compliment for a four-year player – having such a huge impact his entire career. Ellis did lead the team in scoring his final couple of years, but it was his consistency that made the Jayhawks so good while he was around. He rarely ever had a bad game and his leadership made it easy for the freshmen studs like Wiggins to operate. Ellis might not have had many individual games that would lead off Sportscenter, but he was the coach’s dream player.

2. Wayne Simien – Kansas Jayhawks (2002-2005)

Career stats: 15.0 ppg 8.3 rpg 0.9 apg

Speaking of players important to Self’s coaching career, Simien was a junior when he arrived, coming off a really good sophomore campaign. The coaching move worked out for both parties, as the 6’9 forward became one of the best players in the country. He had a huge junior season but did even better his final year. Simien averaged 20.3 ppg and 11.0 rpg, easily winning Big 12 Player of the Year. Self should be thanking the previous coach Roy Williams for such a nice gift to start his tenure at Kansas.

1. Frank Mason – Kansas Jayhawks (2014-2017)

Career stats: 13.0 ppg 3.4 rpg 4.0 apg

One of the all-time scorers and passers n program history, Mason went from a really good to a program great in 2017. He averaged 20.9 ppg and 5.2 apg, winning every available award, including AP National Player of the Year.

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Not only that, but Mason is also one of the winningest players in program history as well, amassing 116 total wins. He also helped groom the next Big 12 POY in Graham for the following season. For a program like Kansas who has had some great point guards, Mason stands out as one of the best, ushering in a new era of the next Jayhawk greats.

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