KU basketball has so many retired jerseys that the numbers are not actually retired, but only the particular jerseys are enshrined, while famous numbers are recycled by current players. Were it not for this process of reusing numbers after the corresponding jerseys have been retired, a program with as much tradition as the University of Kansas would be at risk of running out of numbers to equip its current roster.

The show which played its first season in the 19th century (1898) under the direction of head coach Doctor James Naismith (the inventor of the game of basketball) has experienced such tremendous success over the years that, as of February As of 2010, twenty-six (26) jerseys have been retired. While individually reviewing and examining each retired jersey is beyond the scope of this article, it is fair to say that the hallowed jersey tactic ranges from the curious number 0 (Doc Gooden) to number 60 (Max Falkenstein, a radio host ). Max Falkstein has the honor of being the only non-player on the list of retired jersey numbers. A 1948 KU graduate, Mr. Falkstein is credited with founding the KU Sports Network and an illustrious sixty-year (hence the retired number 60) career behind a microphone where he covered more than 1,750 basketball games and 650 games. football, all for Kansas. . Each of the retired jerseys hangs proudly in the Lawrence, Kansas basketball arena known as Allen Field House (named for famous former head coach “Phog” Allen).

The two names generally considered the best known among the list of retired KU basketball jersey numbers are Wilt Chamberlain (13) and Paul Pierce (34). Pierce is currently a star player and NBA champion for the storied Boston Celtics NBA franchise. Wilt Chamberlain is widely considered to be the greatest basketball player in the history of the game. Even fans who argue that Chamberlain didn’t win the championships Bill Russell won or that he didn’t have the athleticism of Michael Jordan or Kobe Bryant can agree that Wilt Chamberlain personally dominated an era like no one else has.

While the parameters for removing jerseys vary from team to team and sport to sport, the guidelines at KU are pretty straightforward. The test generally involves achieving at least one of the following achievements:

• Being named National Player of the Year by the National Basketball Coaches Association, Associated Press (AP), or Sporting News
• Be the winner of the John R. Wooden Award, Naismith College Player of the Year, or the Oscar Robertson Trophy.
• Be named as a consensus All-American, NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player, Big 12 Conference Player of the Year, Scholar All-American of the Year, or a first-team All-American twice.

These guidelines are just that, guidelines. While these metrics serve as general prerequisites, they are by no means set in stone and are subject to the discretion of the University of Kansas administration.

Given the pace of retired KU basketball jersey numbers and the rule that current players can wear retired jersey numbers, there’s a good chance that at some point in the next few years the University of Kansas will have to deal with that two different players withdraw the same jersey number. .