Bill Self has been the head coach of the Kansas basketball team since 2003. During his tenure, Kansas has produced numerous talented players who have gone on to have successful careers in the NBA. Two of the most notable players are Joel Embiid and Andrew Wiggins.
Joel Embiid is considered one of the best players in the NBA. Despite facing early career injuries, he has become a dominant force for the Philadelphia 76ers. In the 2020-2021 season, Embiid led the league in scoring with an average of 33.1 points per game. He was also awarded the NBA MVP title, solidifying his status as one of the top players in the league.
Andrew Wiggins initially struggled to live up to his potential after being drafted as the number one overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft. However, a change of scenery to the Golden State Warriors revitalized his career. Wiggins played a key role in the Warriors’ playoff run in 2022, proving himself as an elite two-way player.
While Bill Self hasn’t produced as many top NBA talents as Kentucky in recent years, there have been several solid players drafted from Kansas. Here is a list of the top 10 NBA players produced by Bill Self at Kansas:
1. Joel Embiid
Joel Embiid is considered the best player Self has produced at Kansas. Despite early career setbacks, he has become one of the best players in the world. He recently won the NBA MVP award and continues to be a dominant force for the Philadelphia 76ers.
2. Andrew Wiggins
Andrew Wiggins had a slow start to his NBA career but found success with the Golden State Warriors. He has become known for his ability as an elite two-way player.
3. Marcus Morris
Marcus Morris has played for several NBA teams and has had a solid career. His best statistical season came with the New York Knicks in the 2019-2020 season, where he averaged 19.6 points per game.
4. Devonte’ Graham
Devonte’ Graham had a breakout season with the Charlotte Hornets in 2019-2020, where he averaged 18.2 points and 7.5 assists per game. However, his performance has declined since then.
5. Mario Chalmers
Mario Chalmers is best known for hitting a game-tying shot in the 2008 national championship game for Kansas. He had a successful career in the NBA, contributing to two championships with the Miami Heat.
6. Kelly Oubre Jr.
Kelly Oubre Jr. had a career-best season with the Charlotte Hornets, averaging 20.2 points per game. He has shown steady improvements throughout his NBA career.
7. Christian Braun
Christian Braun impressed during his rookie season, playing a key role for the Denver Nuggets during their championship run. He is expected to continue developing as a player.
8. Markieff Morris
Markieff Morris has been a journeyman in the NBA, playing for multiple teams. He had a strong season during his fourth year in the league, averaging 15.3 points and 6.2 rebounds.
9. Ben McLemore
Ben McLemore was drafted as the seventh overall pick in 2013 but didn’t live up to the initial expectations. However, he had a resurgence after being sent to the G-League and played for several NBA teams.
10. Brandon Rush
Brandon Rush had a solid NBA career, playing nearly 500 games and averaging 6.8 points and 2.9 rebounds. He won a championship with the Golden State Warriors in 2015.
