Kansas Jayhawks Number Rankings: 23

Let's see how Ernest Udeh stacked up to other greats who wore number 23 for Kansas.

A few weeks ago, we started a new series ranking current KU players against other KU stars who have worn the same number. We’ve already ranked all the starters from 2022-23, and if you haven’t already, click here to get started and follow the links.

Now we’re on to the bench and see how these guys compare to players from the past that have worn their number. Click here to get started and follow the links.

The idea behind these lists is as follows: I’ll list the guys who wore the same number, give a few blurbs about each player, and ultimately find a place where the current Jayhawk ranks.

Contents

1. Other recent 23s:
2. How does Ernest Udeh stack up?
3. Final Rankings:

Today we examine #23 Ernest Udeh, the most recent bench player to declare that he is not returning to Lawrence, as well as others who have worn that number (since 1983, Larry Brown's initial year in charge).

Other recent 23s:

Rex Walters. Two seasons, 1991-1993.

Rex Walters transferred from Northwestern and the dividends were immediate for Kansas. He scored an average of 15.6 points over his two seasons while shooting 41.8% from three. He led KU to the 1993 Final Four where they lost to North Carolina.

Jelani Janisse. Two seasons, 1997-1999.

Jelani Janisse played a total of 96 minutes for KU and made nine baskets, including all four that he took from distance.

Wayne Simien. Four seasons, 2001-2005

What if Wayne Simien hadn’t gotten hurt in 2003? What if he got Jeff Graves’ minutes in the NCAA tournament and title game? Graves did fine by the way, but he was no Wayne Simien. Wayne is one of the all time greats at KU, and that senior season where he averaged 20.3 points and 11 rebounds is one of the best seasons in modern KU history. He was the Big XII Player of the Year as well as a consensus All-American that season. What a player.

Mario Little. Two seasons, 2008-09 and 2010-11.

Injured in his first season and forced to red shirt due to injury in his second, it wasn’t until his senior year that Mario Little played a full season for KU. Over his shortened career, he averaged 4.9 points and three rebounds per game.

Ben McLemore. One season, 2012-2013.

Remember how Ben McLemore was ineligible to play in 2011-12 and Kansas basically started Conner Teahan in his place and still got to the national title game? His one season in a Jayhawk uniform was great. He averaged 15.9 points and 5.2 boards while garnering All Big 12 status.

Conner Frankamp. One season, 2013-14.

Conner Frankamp didn’t exactly shine as a KU player, so he hightailed it to Wichita State where the light shines much softer.

How does Ernest Udeh stack up?

One thing we know is that he has potential, and I’d have been willing to bet that he would’ve flown up this list to at least fourth if he had decided to stay. In my initial write up, I had a bit to say about his athleticism, his enormous wingspan, and his inability to stay out of foul trouble. Those points are all moot now. In 2022-23, Udeh averaged 2.6 points and 1.8 rebounds per game in limited minutes for large chunks of the season.

Final Rankings:

1. Wayne Simien
2. Rex Walters
3. Ben McLemore
4. Mario Little
5. Conner Frankamp
6. Ernest Udeh
7. Jelani Janisse

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