Kansas basketball: 5 most underrated players in Kansas Jayhawks history

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - MARCH 20: Guard Keith Langford #5 of the Kansas Jayhawks moves the ball past Cardell Butler #15 of the Utah State Aggies during the first round of the NCAA Tournament at the Ford Center March 20, 2003, in Oklahoma City, OK. The Jayhawks defeated the Aggies 64-61. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

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4. Milt Newton, F, (1984-1989)

Danny Manning is the player Kansas basketball fans love from the late 80s, but one of his teammates that doesn’t get nearly enough love is Milt Newton. The 6-foot-4 forward came to Lawrence as a freshman in 1984, where he played sparingly.

After redshirting as a sophomore, Newton’s breakout came as a junior, when he joined Manning in the starting lineup. Newton increased his scoring output by nearly four times, averaging 11.6 points per game and five rebounds per game.

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The NCAA Tournament was a thrill ride for Kansas, which became the school with the most regular-season losses (11) to win a championship. Newton was a huge factor in the title game, scoring 15 points on a perfect six-for-six shooting performance.

Manning left after that game, leaving Newton to captain the Jayhawks as a redshirt senior. That year was Newton’s finest hour, averaging 17.7 points per game under first-year coach Roy Williams.

After his time at Kansas, Newton played professionally overseas with stints in Belgium and Australia. Newton is currently serving as the assistant general manager for the Milwaukee Bucks.