Big 12 Basketball: Ranking of 25 best players from last decade (2013-23)

13. Perry Ellis

A former 5-star recruit, Ellis is a 6’8 forward from Wichita who certainly made himself at home up in Lawrence. He played four seasons with the Jayhawks, becoming a major part of the program. His career actually began in 2012, but ignoring a freshman season where he had limited chances won’t dull the great impact in his collegiate career.

A full-time starter as a sophomore, Ellis averaged 13.5 points and 6.7 rebounds and had a slew of 20-point performances early in the season. He also had a 30-point effort in the Big 12 Tournament. Ellis put up comparable numbers during his junior year, but his senior season was even more impressive. He averaged 16.9 points and 5.8 rebounds, becoming an even more important part of Kansas’s offense. He shot well from all over the court and guided the Jayhawks to a Big 12 Tournament title and a trip to the Elite Eight.

It really felt like Ellis was at Kansas for more than four seasons but that was just the impact he had with these Jayhawks. He was a Second Team All-American as a senior, the same year he earned his third straight All-Big 12 honor. Not only was he one of the league’s best offensive players, but his leadership and physicality helped deliver a ton of wins for the Jayhawks and he’s truly one of their finest players in recent memory.