Paul Pierce on Dime #5

When Kansas and Memphis hook up tonight to decide the 2008 national championship, it will be a meeting between one of the most storied programs in college basketball history and a program that’s only become a national powerhouse recently. The Jayhawks can claim one of the game’s greatest players, Wilt Chamberlain, as part of its alumni, and have been churning out Hall of Famers since the 1950s. Memphis has produced some solid pros, but really, their list doesn’t compare to that of Kansas.

The funny thing about Memphis is to think of how their alumni team would look if it included the guys who almost went there. Amare Stoudemire, Kendrick Perkins, Qyntel Woods and Ricky Sanchez had all verbally committed to Memphis before choosing to go pro instead. Not to mention Lenny Cooke and Marc Gasol also had the Tigers high on their lists of schools before college became an unreality for them.

MEMPHIS (player, position, last year in school)
Derrick Rose, PG, 20?? — Like Michael Beasley, Rose has proven too good to leave off the “alumni” team although he’s still in school. Averaging 14.8 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4.6 assists as a freshman, he’s expected to be no lower than the third overall pick in the NBA Draft whenever he goes pro.
Penny Hardaway, PG/SG, 1993 — Was carving out a Hall of Fame career in the NBA before injuries got in the way. Penny’s first five years in the League saw him make four All-Star Games, three All-NBA teams, and play in the ‘95 Finals with the Orlando Magic. Injuries robbed Penny of his effectiveness in his 30’s, but he’s still averaged 15.2 points, 4.5 boards and 5.0 assists per game over his career.
Dajuan Wagner, SG, 2002 — One of the most hyped-up high school players of all-time dropped 21 points a night in his only season at Memphis. A Lottery pick by the Cavs whose pro career was cut short by health problems.
Larry Kenon, PF, 1973 — Putting up 20 points and 16 boards as a senior at Memphis, Kenon led his team to the national championship game, where they lost to Bill Walton’s UCLA squad. In the pros Kenon was a five-time All-Star in the ABA and NBA, a 20-ppg scorer at his peak with the Spurs. He still holds the NBA record for most steals in a game, recording 11 against the Kings in ‘76.
Lorenzen Wright, PF/C, 1996 — Lottery pick in ‘96 has been a serviceable pro, averaging 8.1 points and 6.5 boards over a career spent with the Clippers, Hawks, Grizzlies and Kings. In college he put up 16 points, 10 boards and 2 blocks in two years with the Tigers.
BENCH — Rodney Carney (SF, 2006); Elliot Perry (PG, 1991); Earl Barron (C, 2003); Darius Washington (PG, 2006); Vincent Askew (SF, 1987); Cedric Henderson (SF, 1997); William Bedford (C, 1986).

KANSAS
Jo Jo White, PG/SG, 1969 — MVP of the 1976 NBA Finals and a seven-time All-Star, White has his number retired by the Celtics after averaging 17.2 points and 4.9 dimes per game over a 12-year career. He won two championships with Boston in the post-Bill Russell era.
Paul Pierce, SG/SF, 1998 — Currently 6th on the Celtics’ all-time scoring list and should finish his career in the top three. Six-time NBA All-Star is one of the preeminent scorers (23.2 ppg) and clutch performers of his era and one of the best wing players of the 2000s, also averaging 6.4 rebounds and 4 assists as a pro.
Danny Manning, SF/PF, 1988 — The pre-cursor to players like Kevin Garnett and Chris Webber, Manning was a 6-10 forward who could play all three frontcourt positions in college. He led the Jayhawks to the 1988 national championship, when he won the Wooden and Naismith national Player of the Year awards and was the #1 pick in the NBA Draft. In the pros he averaged 14.0 points and 5.2 boards, winning Sixth Man of the Year in 1998 and making two All-Star Games in a career that was adversely affected by knee injuries.
Clyde Lovellette, PF, 1952 — Naismith Hall of Famer made three All-Star Games in the pros and made Street & Smith’s list of the Top 100 college players of all-time. He finished in the NBA’s top five in scoring twice and rebounding three times. Career averages of 17 points and 9.5 rebounds per game during an 11-year career with the Lakers, Celtics, Cincinnati Royals, St. Louis Hawks.
Wilt Chamberlain, C, 1958 — Simply one of the five greatest players the game has ever seen or will ever see. Wilt’s numbers are undeniable: career averages of 30.1 points and 22.9 boards; four League MVP’s, Rookie of the Year, All-Star MVP and Finals MVP all to his name; the NBA’s all-time leading rebounder and 4th-leading scorer; scored 100 points in one game, and his ‘61-62 season is something that will never be touched. Chamberlain averaged 50.4 points and 25.7 rebounds per game while playing 48.5 minutes per game, essentially never stepping off the court at all that year.
BENCH — Kirk Hinrich (PG, 2003); Nick Collison (PF, 2003); Bill Bridges (PF, 1961); Drew Gooden (PF, 2002); Rex Walters (SG, 1993); Jacque Vaughn (PG, 1997); Julian Wright (SF, 2007).