My love for Kansas basketball dates to my youth, when the Dave Robisch-led Jayhawks marched to the Final Four. This was long before “Final Four” and “March Madness” had entered the sports lexicon.

It wasn’t until I attended the University of Kansas much later that I began to understand and appreciate the storied history of the program, and how the roots of the game are so intertwined with it. The inventor of the game, James Naismith, was the program’s first coach, for example.

I created this piece as an homage to this history, which is set against a backdrop of Allen Fieldhouse and the national championship banners that hang there.

I selected the following ten as a small representation of the many great players who have worn Jayhawks uniforms over the past 100+ years. I’m grateful to many of my friends and fellow Jayhawks basketball fans who assisted and advised in the selection process. It was difficult to narrow the potential field of candidates to ten. Pictured from left to right, are:

Nick Collison, Jo Jo White, Danny Manning, Paul Endacott, Paul Pierce, Wilt Chamberlain, Sherron Collins, Clyde Lovellette, Raef LaFrentz, and Dave Robisch.

This piece involved countless hours of researching players and representative photos, shooting pictures from various vantage points inside the building, sketching potential poses, and composing the piece before the painting process even began.

I’m honored that many former Kansas players and coaches (including Dave Robisch and Ted Owens) own limited-edition prints of this piece. It was truly a labor of love to create.

This original oil painting on a cradled birch panel measures 24”tall by 48'“ wide. It sells in a custom-built, 2.5”-deep natural maple frame and is ready to hang. Free shipping in the U.S.

Limited-edition prints are also available.

“Legends of the Phog” limited-edition prints