Kansas Basketball: Best seasons of All-Time for the Jayhawks
By Chris Taylor
Best Kansas basketball seasons all-time:
- ’56-’57 Kansas Jayhawks
- Head Coach: Dick Harp
- Results: 24-3 National Runners-up
In Dick Harp’s first season as head coach, he took the Jayhawks all the way to the championship game. In that game they lost in triple overtime to the North Carolina Tar Heels. Phog Allen was forced to retire due to retirement rules after the previous season, leaving the job to Harp.
The highlight of this season was the debut of Wilt Chamberlain. In Wilt’s first game, he scored 52 points and gathered 31 rebounds. His production would continue to be as dominant throughout the season. In the final seconds of the championship Joe Quigg made the tying and go-ahead free throws to win the game. North Carolina finished the season undefeated.
Wilt Chamberlain left the school after his Junior year, joining the Harlem Globetrotters for a season before starting his Hall of Fame NBA career with the Philadelphia 76ers. Wilt is known as one of the most dominant players in history. He holds multiple records, most of which are rebounding and scoring.
He is most famous for his 100 point game. Another reason for his stardom included what many say is the greatest on-court rivalry ever between himself and Bill Russell. He won two NBA titles, as well as being a four-time league MVP. Rumor has it he had quite the love life as well. Wink, Wink.