Kansas Jayhawks Number Rankings: Zero

Let's see how former Jayhawk Bobby Pettiford stacks up against other recent players who have worn number zero.

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, check them out, starting here.

Now we’re on to the bench and see how these guys compare to players from the past that have worn their number. 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 22/23 Jayhawk ranks. These could be tricky as many of these guys played sporadic minutes for Kansas this season.

Contents

1. Other recent zeroes:
2. How does Bobby Pettiford stack up?
3. Final Rankings:

Today we examine #0 Bobby Pettiford as well as others who have worn that number (since 1983).

Other recent zeroes:

Greg Ostertag. Four seasons, 1991-1995.

Greg Ostertag, The Big O, had four nice seasons in Lawrence, culminating in his fine junior and senior campaigns where he averaged 10 points and 8.1 rebounds. But perhaps Ostertag is best known for his shot blocking abilities. He finished his KU career with 258 blocks, the best in the history of the Big 8 conference.

Drew Gooden. Three seasons, 1999-2002.

What a monster this guy was and 2001-02 was the icing on the cake from an individual perspective. That year, Drew Gooden averaged 19.8 points and 11.4 rebounds and was named the Big 12 Player of the Year, a first team All-American, and the NABC National Player of the Year. Drew played in one Final Four.

Darrell Arthur. Two seasons, 2006-2008.

Talk about two of the most productive seasons in recent KU memory, Darrell Arthur definitely left an impact on KU. He was named to the All-NCAA tournament team after Kansas cut down the nets in 2008, in large part due to Arthur’s fantastic showing in the final.

Thomas Robinson. Three seasons, 2009-2102.

Thomas Robinson’s junior season was a revelation. Big 12 Player of the Year. First team All-American. He was superb, averaging 17.1 points and grabbing 11.9 rebounds per game. Robinson, along with Tyshawn Taylor and Travis Releford basically took a KU team that was three players deep and played for a natty. I also remember a monster block in a rivalry game that you may recall as well.

Frank Mason. Four seasons, 2013-2017.

To say that 2016-17 was a stellar year for Frank Mason is an understatement as he took away Big 12 Player of the Year, first team All-American, and NABC National Player of the Year. I could go on and on about BIFM, but you know all about him already. What a player, what a story.

Marcus Garrett. Four seasons, 2017-2021.

Defensive whiz kid Marcus Garrett is the most recent player to wear zero before Pettiford, and despite having four solid seasons at KU, he doesn’t even come close to stacking up against the players above him. He was a three time All Big 12 Defensive selection, winning the Defensive Player of the Year award in his final season as a Jayhawk.

How does Bobby Pettiford stack up?

Quite frankly, he doesn’t. The list of players that have worn zero is a list with no weaknesses. You could form a real team with real positions and quite a bit of versatility with only Kansas guys that wore number zero. Can you imagine a starting lineup of Mason and Garrett as the guards with Gooden, Trob, and Darrell scoring at will? Bring in the Big O and Bobby off the bench, and that team wins most leagues.

In two seasons at KU, Pettiford has averaged two points and 1.2 assists. As he is transferring to East Carolina, being the seventh best zero in KU history will be the best he can hope to achieve.

Final Rankings:

1. Frank Mason and Drew Gooden
2. Thomas Robinson and Darrell Arthur
3. Greg Ostertag
4. Marcus Garrett
5. Bobby Pettiford

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