Keeping It Heel
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UNC Recruiting: Where will c/o 2018 five-star prospect Zion Williamson go to college?

By Blake Cockrum

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - JANUARY 6: Head coach Roy Williams of the North Carolina Tar Heels calls a play in the second half during a game against the Virginia Cavaliers at John Paul Jones Arena on January 6, 2018 in Charlottesville, Virginia. Virginia defeated North Carolina 61-49. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - JANUARY 6: Head coach Roy Williams of the North Carolina Tar Heels calls a play in the second half during a game against the Virginia Cavaliers at John Paul Jones Arena on January 6, 2018 in Charlottesville, Virginia. Virginia defeated North Carolina 61-49. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images) /
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LAWRENCE, KS – JANUARY 9: Big Jay the Kansas Jayhawks mascot hangs with students as they cheer for the Kansas Jayhawks during a game against the Iowa State Cyclones in the second half at Allen Fieldhouse on January 9, 2018 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
LAWRENCE, KS – JANUARY 9: Big Jay the Kansas Jayhawks mascot hangs with students as they cheer for the Kansas Jayhawks during a game against the Iowa State Cyclones in the second half at Allen Fieldhouse on January 9, 2018 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images) /

The case for Kansas

The University of Kansas basketball program has long been one of the most respected in the nation. Its rich history, winning tradition and passionate fans see to that.

After winning a national championship in 1988 under UNC alumnus Larry Brown, the program fell into the young but capable hands of first time head coach, Roy Williams. In the 30 years since, the program has seen nearly 900 wins and a national title under current head coach Bill Self.

Self has kept the program elite throughout his tenure, winning 13 consecutive Big 12 regular season titles and earning an invitation to the NCAA Tournament each season.

He’s done it with a combination of stars and role players, including his fair share of elite-level one-and-done players. It wouldn’t be a stretch, though, to say that a handful of his elite freshman players who stayed for just one season, fluttered in their lone year of college hoops.

Josh Selby, Cliff Alexander and Cheick Diallo were all five-star recruits that stayed in college for just one season, but due to difficulties on or off the court, each had their respective struggles in Lawrence.

Other big-name recruits like Wayne Selden, Brennan Greene and Carlton Bragg weren’t able to live up to lofty expectations, either.

On the other hand, Self did get great performances from players like Ben McLemore, Andrew Wiggins and Josh Jackson, each of which played just one year of college ball.

Wiggins has gone on to have a nice NBA career, along with former Jayhawk Joel Embiid, when he can stay healthy. Self, though, doesn’t have the same professional pedigree that John Calipari does, but not many coaches do.

Career record: 638-196 (.765)
Record at Kansas: 431-91 (.826)

Noteworthy NBA players that played under Self:
Mario Chalmers, Markeiff Morris, Marcus Morris, Ben McLemore, Andrew Wiggins, Kelly Oubre, Jr., John Jackson

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