Kansas basketball: All-time starting lineup – Wilt Chamberlain headlines

4. G Darnell Valentine (1977-1981)

After going back all the way to the 1920s for the first member of Kansas’ all-time starting lineup, our next entrant is considerably more modern. Joining Endacott in the backcourt is Darnell Valentine, who starred for the Jayhawks in the late ’70s.

Valentine was a three-time All-American at Kansas, averaging 15.4 points per game and 5.2 assists per game over the course of his college career. The Jayhawks also saw Valentine named a member of the All-Big Eight first team in all four years.

During his time at Kansas, Valentine was slated to be a member of the 1980 U.S. Olympic basketball team before the country decided to boycott the games, which were held in Moscow. Valentine finished a productive Kansas career and was selected by the Portland Trail Blazers with the 16th overall pick of the 1981 NBA Draft.

The NBA was a good fit for Valentine, who spent a decade in the league and another couple of seasons playing professionally overseas. Valentine was never a star performer in the NBA but he was a solid role player in Portland, Cleveland, and Los Angeles.

The Jayhawks retired Valentine’s no. 14 as a sign of respect for his outstanding accomplishments. Valentine will also be a good fit playing off of Endacott in the backcourt of Kansas basketball’s all-time team.