Kansas Jayhawks: NBA Update

The Kansas Jayhawks have a storied history and have seen many of its players move on to the next level to have great careers. Currently, there are 11 former Jayhawks playing in the NBA. This slideshow has been created to give fans an easy way to see how those players are doing.

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Paul Pierce: Boston Celtics

Paul Pierce: Boston Celtics
Drafted: No. 10 by Boston Celtics 1998

2008-'09 NBA Averages: 20.5 Points, 3.7 Astists, 5.8 Rebounds, 45% FG's

Season High: 36 (three times), Games Started: 77

Note: "The Truth" eclipsed the 18,500 point mark this season, placing him among the top 50 in NBA History. 2008 Finals MVP.

Kirk Hinrich: Chicago Bulls

Kirk Hinrich: Chicago Bulls
Drafted: No. 7 by Chicago Bulls 2003

2008-'09 NBA Averages: 9.9 Points, 4.1 Assists, 1.2 Steals, 2.5 Rebounds

Season High: 31, Games Started: 46

Note: "Captain Kirk" has been a little banged up this season, but is playing very well again for the Bulls down the stretch.

Drew Gooden: San Antonio Spurs

Drew Gooden: San Antonio Spurs
Drafted: No. 4 by Memphis Grizzlies 2002

2008-'09 NBA Averages: 11.5 Points, 7.4 Rebounds, 1.1 Assists, .7 Blocks

Season High: 22 (two times), Games Started: 28

Note: Gooden has played for three teams this season: the Bulls, Kings, and now with the Spurs.

Raef LaFrentz: Portland Trailblazers

Raef LaFrentz: Portland Trailblazers
Drafted: No. 3 by Denver Nuggets 1998

2008-'09 NBA Averages: DNP Injured

Note: LaFrentz has been dealing with a shoulder injury, but has had a very productive career.

Nick Collison: Oklahoma City Thunder

Nick Collison: Okalhoma City Thunder
Drafted No. 12 by Seattle Supersonics (Thunder) 2003

2008-'09 NBA Averages: 8 Points, 7 Rebounds, .8 Assists, .7 Blocks

Season High: 22 (two times), Games Started: 28

Note: Collison has played his entire career with the same franchise.

Brandon Rush: Indiana Pacers

Brandon Rush: Indiana Pacers
Drafted: No. 13 by Portland Trail Blazers (traded to Pacers) 2008

2008-'09 NBA Averages: 7.4 Points, 3 Rebounds, .9 Assists, .6 Steals

Season High: 29 (two times), Games Started: 13

Note: Rush is having a fine rookie campaignwith the Pacers.

Mario Chalmers: Miami Heat

Mario Chalmers: Miami Heat
Drafted: No. 34 by Minnesota Timberwolves (traded to Heat) 2008

2008-'09 NBA Averages: 10 Points, 2.8 Rebounds, 2 Steals, 4.8 Assists

Season High: 23 (two times), Games Started: 77

Note: "Rio" has hit the ground running after "Mario's Miracle" in the 2008 National Championship game. Chalmers is already among the top thieves in the NBA.

Julian Wright: Charlotte Hornets

Julian Wright: Charlotte Hornets
Drafted: No. 13 by Charlotte Hornets 2007

2008-'09 NBA Averages: 4.7 Points, 2.9 Rebounds, .8 Assists, .6 Steals

Season High: 20, Games Started: 18

Note: It looks like Julian has finally found his role for the Hornets this season, even starting at times for one of the NBA's top teams.

Jacque Vaughn: San Antonio Spurs

Jacque Vaughn: San Antonio Spurs
Drafted: No. 27 by Utah Jazz 1997

2008-'09 NBA Averages: 2.2 Points, 1.9 Assists, .8 Rebounds, .2 Steals

Season High: 10, Games Started: 0

Note: Vaughn looks to have found a nice spot on the end of the bench for the Spurs, one of the NBA's elite teams.

Darrell Arthur: Memphis Grizzlies

Darrell Arthur: Memphis Grizzlies
Drafted: No. 27 by Charlotte Hornets (traded to Grizz) 2008

2008-'09 NBA Averages: 5.7 Points, 4.4 Rebounds, .6 Assists, .7 Blocks

Season High: 16, Games Started: 58

Note: Arthur, a starter for the majority of the season, is putting together a solid first year.

Darnell Jackson: Cleveland Cavaliers

Darnell Jackson: Cleveland Cavaliers
Drafted: No. 52 by Miami Heat (traded to Cavs) 2008

2008-'09 NBA Averages: 1.4 Points, 1.5 Rebounds, .1 Assists, .2 Steals

Season High: 6 (three times), Games Started: 1

Note: Darnell can often be seen yucking it up with LeBron James and the Cavs in their pregame photo shoot ritual.

Russell Robinson: Reno Bighorns (NBADL)

Russell Robinson: Reno Bighorns (NBA D-League)
Undrafted

2008-'09 NBDL Averages: 11 Points, 2.6 Rebounds

Sasha Kaun: CSKA Moscow (Russian League)

Sasha Kaun: CSKA Moscow
Drafted: No. 56 by Seattle Supersonics (traded to Cavs) 2008

Note: Alexander, drafted by the Cavaliers, is thought to be refining his game in Russia before coming back to the USA to play in the NBA.

Aaron Miles: Panionios (Greek League)

Aaron Miles: Panionios (Greek League)
Undrafted

Note: Miles has played on summer teams with the Knicks, Bulls, Wizards, and Supersonics.

Wayne Simien: Caceres 2016 (Spain League)

Wayne Simien: Caceres 2016 (Spain)
Drafted: No. 29 by Miami Heat

Note: Simien won the 2005-06 NBA Championship as a member of the Miami Heat.

Keith Langford: Virtus Bologna (Italy Top Division)

Keith Langford: Virtus Bologna (Italy's Top Divisoin)
Undrafted

Note: Langford played in two games for the San Antonio Spurs in the 2007-'08 season.

Playoff Averages

Many Kansas Jayhawks have gone on to play in the NBA Playoffs. Here's a list of the top scoring alumni and games played in the post season.

Wilt Chamberlain: 22.5 / 160
Paul Pierce: 22.5 / 63
JoJo White: 21.5 / 80
Kirk Hinrich: 16.9 / 22
Danny Manning: 14.6 / 69
Clyde Lovelette: 14 / 69
Darnell Valentine: 120 / 26
Drew Gooden: 10.8 / 40
Bill Bridges: 10.5 / 113
Otto Schnellbacher 9 / 2
Raef LaFrentz: 8.5 / 35
Nick Collison 8.4 / 11
Charlie Black 7.1 / 8