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

2. F Danny Manning (1984-1988)

Now that we have filled out the backcourt of Kansas basketball’s all-time team it is time to address the frontcourt. These were the two most obvious choices on the team, beginning with Danny Manning.

When he arrived on campus in 1984 Manning made an instant impact, being named an All-American as a freshman. Manning made several other All-American teams in his career, but his most profound impact with the Jayhawks came in his senior season.

Kansas entered the NCAA Tournament in 1988 as massive underdogs, but Manning put the team on his back and carried the Jayhawks to a shocking national championship. Manning was named the Final Four’s Most Outstanding Player as Kansas became the first school to ever win the tournament when entering with 11 losses, a record that stands to this day as the most losses for a team beginning the dance.

That squad became known fondly by Kansas basketball fans as “Danny and the Miracles”, a reference to how Manning willed his team to victory. Manning also took home several National Player of the Year awards in 1988, including the Naismith and Wooden awards.

The NBA wasn’t as kind to Manning, who did make a pair of All-Star teams but never became the superstar some thought he would be leaving college. Manning is still a legendary figure at Kansas and absolutely belongs on the Jayhawks’ all-time starting five.