One More Year! Kansas Jayhawks Stars Sherron Collins, Cole Aldrich Will Return

The NBA draft had to be calling their names, but Kansas Jayhawks stars Sherron Collins and Cole Aldrich will be back for the 2009-2010 season.

After leading the Jayhawks to the ‘08-'09 Big 12 regular season title, a 27-8 record and a nice run to the Sweet 16, both players had break-out seasons and definitely had some value in the upcoming NBA draft.

Collins needs only to work on his conditioning in order to become the nation's most dominate guard next season.  A third-team All American this season, Collins averaged 18.9 points and five assists on the season.

Returning for his senior campaign, guard Collins filled his new roll as the leader of the young Jayhawks very well last season. He should bring that fire and intensity into the coming year as well.

Center Aldrich was a monster down low all and seemed to get stronger as the season went on.  He recorded only the sixth triple-double in NCAA tournament history vs. Dayton in round two and had 94 blocks last year.

The double-double machine was thought to be a possible lottery pick, but chose to hone his game and enjoy being the “big man” on campus for at least one more season.

These two monumental decisions by two of the better players to ever wear the crimson and blue, should lead to the Jayhawks being a top 10 preseason selection.

If they were to land one or more of the stellar recruits they are in hot pursuit for, it might be top five or better.

Here are the latest updates on other (and potential other) Jayhawk players:

Daniel Orton recently went to his home in Oklahoma to discuss what he was going to do with his father and brother.

Orton, who signed with Kentucky has been having second thoughts after the coaching change there, had Kansas on his list early in his recruitment.

Coach Bill Self visited Lance Stephenson's home in New York last Friday to try to lure the McDonalds All-American to play at KU.

Stephenson, who dropped Maryland off of his list of potential schools, has said he will make his decision between St. Johns and the Jayhawks next week.

St. Johns is coached by long-time Self assistant, Norm Roberts, who is known for his great recruiting skills. 

Xavier Henry, who is considered Self's number one target is still undecided and has yet to announce when he will choose a university.

Henry's father, mother and aunt played basketball at Kansas, so many experts believe that gives the Jayhawks the upper hand in the sweepstakes for the Rivals.com top rated recruit.

Kentucky and Memphis are the other high profile schools trying to solicit Henry's services.

Despite previous reports, Kansas still seems to be in the hunt for top-rated point guard John Wall. 

Wall, who ESPN's Doug Gottleib calls the best recruit in the nation had Duke, North Carolina, Baylor, Kentucky and Kansas on his list of potential schools.

The transfer announcements of Tyrone Appleton and Quintrell Thomas earlier this week might be a sign that coach Self has a good chance of landing one or more of these gems.