klong (anonymous) says...

He was good but you can't just put everybody up there.

June 16, 2009 at 9:15 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

jayhawkboogeyman (anonymous) says...

The next one to go up will be Sherron. I am undecided about Mario. As a player, he was great but did not stand out individually except for the shot, which will forever be remembered just by the words National Champions 2008.

June 16, 2009 at 9:19 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

sgtjb123 (anonymous) says...

I believe there are certain guidelines, such as stats or awards, to having a jersey hung, isn't there?

June 16, 2009 at 9:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

AlBerg (anonymous) says...

Langford was good, but I don't think he should be in the rafters. Simien was the star of their class because he dominated games. If Collins helps bring another championship to KU, he should be in the rafters for sure. Aldrich might even be a player of the year candidate this year so he might be up there if he dominates this year. I think both Aldrich and Collins are better but this year will decide if they are immortalized.

June 16, 2009 at 10:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

KUFan90 (anonymous) says...

There are automatic guidelines that USED to be mandatory, but they have started just letting anyone in they want so now it's a popularity contest. I'm a big opponent of that decision.

Chalmers gets up there regardless since he was MOP of the Final Four (one of the automatic criteria).

June 16, 2009 at 11:05 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

jnewell (Jesse Newell) says...

Just for reference, Langford is the only player in the top nine on KU's all-time scoring list that does not have his jersey in the rafters.

1. Danny Manning 2,951
2. Nick Collison 2,097
3. Raef LaFrentz 2,066
4. Clyde Lovellette 1,979
5. Darnell Valentine 1,821
6. Keith Langford 1,812
7. Paul Pierce 1,768
8. Dave Robisch 1,754
9. Kirk Hinrich 1,753

June 16, 2009 at 11:11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

kansaspike (anonymous) says...

That first round loss has to be a factor.

June 16, 2009 at 12:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

truehawk93 (anonymous) says...

After watching many of the players in the NBA playoffs, it's safe to say that Langford would have played much better than most. He would have shot better, made better decisions and would have understood the techniques to make plays. Most of the players in the NBA playoffs were really poor excuses for NBA players, let alone World Champion contenders. It's really funny why a Langford can't get a chance to play in the NBA compared to the losers that get constant floor time. For example, Langford's experience and talent would have been welcomed on this year's Orlando Magic team or even the Cavs. But yet the scouts and teams miss their picks year in and year out. I'm clueless as to why Langford isn't snatched by one of the NBA teams that have been in contention for the last 2-3 years.

June 16, 2009 at 12:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

sgtjb123 (anonymous) says...

Jesse, I also am a huge fan of The Mexicutioner. His curve is SICK!!!

June 16, 2009 at 9:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

mjlindsm (anonymous) says...

The fact that Langford is the only in the top 9 that doesn't have his jersey hung just shows you can't go by numbers alone. Langford was consistent for four years, but never really dominant. His consistency and ability to score right away as a freshman got him all those points, but I still am looking for a little more to get you jersey hung.

June 17, 2009 at 10:34 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

ralster (anonymous) says...

Frankly, if the KU team had hit their free throws vs. Syracuse in the 03 champ game, Langford would be a shoe-in for rafter jersey. Its partly about results, and partly about production/stats. His ultimate results fell short (team let him down). He had the production, Keith being the go-to guy. Chalmers is the opposite: Ultimate results, but a little less overall production (his team was so balanced)--so he is also a 'tweener candidate. Mario was but one of several go-to guys on his team. As fate would have it in the Champ game, his team came through for him, and he came through for the team. Mario Chalmers is also now an immortal to KU nation. And he is known all over the country. The way he is playing with the Heat also is keeping him in the buzz. I wish Keith got the chance to show what he could do in the NBA...especially the last 2 yrs, when he seems to have rounded out his skill-set. Im certain Keith would be awesome!
2 great players for KU. I love em both.

June 17, 2009 at 11:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

BannerforKirk (anonymous) says...

Well, I think Keith has a stronger argument than many people. Of course he's the 6th leading scorer of all time, which is huge. He also was as important as anyone in the 2003 runner-up team and may have been the MOP if Collison could have hit some more freethrows or if Lee could have gotten that 3-pointer off to tie the game. I think too many KU fans only think about Bucknell when Keith was clearly injured. Keith played with serious injuries almost all of his senior year, particularly at the end, but he continued to give everything for that team. He was a key part of 2 FF teams and clearly a team leader after that. Without the Roy upheaval, who knows exactly how good he could have been. Either way, his place in KU lore should be firmly solidified at this point. I just don't see why it hurts to retire jerseys and why everyone is so concerned about overdoing it - it's still an honor when you look up there and you can't really say that Keith Langford being up there would diminish those other players - or himself.

June 18, 2009 at 12:14 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Eurekahwk (anonymous) says...

Well if Roy would have taught his teams how to play real defense, then we would have won. And if Langford had bought into what Self was trying to do instead of constantly doing everything opposite to spite the coach, I might be a little more sympatheic. But as it remains, Kirk, Nick, and Drew are the only league players from that team. Big Dub was one of the great ones, and he actually was a Kansan. I wish he would have held up better. Micheal Lee bought in, Graves, Moody.

But Langford didn't lead Kansas anywhere. I actually am not fond of "slashing" players. That is just nice speak for a guy with a very streaky jump shot and poor man to man defense. Sure, they have their moments in the sun. But jersey retirement? I'd don't think so.

June 18, 2009 at 3:17 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

mae (anonymous) says...

6th leading scorer doesn't mean a thing.

How about hanging the assist leader of the time that was dishing off? or was that the entire team hanging on the guy?

I loved langford's play and am very surprised he didn't land with a nba team that used him to the full.

But, do we want to hang a jersey where recruits have to ask "who?"

June 18, 2009 at 7:22 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

mae (anonymous) says...

next thing you know it'll be "top one and done" jersey hanging.

how's about we just hang players that graduate? including those who do graduate after leaving early, we still instilled a sense of continuing education rather than being a newsworthy jumppoint school for early scramkids.

June 18, 2009 at 7:28 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

KGphoto (anonymous) says...

You gotta consider pts/game. Clyde was scoring 25/game and in a much lower scoring era. So if Keith scored another couple hundred points, he's better than Clyde? The points/game thing isn't meaningless, but the game changes over the years and "total" stats go up as total games go up. Jim Brown is really still the all time leading rusher. Anyone wanna argue that?

Keith never scored more than 16pts/game. He was a 65% from the line, and 33% from beyond the arc for his career. He never led the team in scoring and never got a sniff of an All-American tab.

Hey I love Langford. I loved his game. And unlike Eureka I love a guy who can get to the rim. A slasher. You get fouled a lot and it keeps the opposing defense honest. It he were a better free throw shooter, like Sherron, he might have approached 20pts/game and then we'd really be torn here.

June 18, 2009 at 10:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

truefan (anonymous) says...

Agreed KGphoto, but if he would have been scoring 20 a game we probably would not have lost to Bucknell in the first round, he would already be in the NBA, and he would have gotten All-American Honors. If he would have been scoring 20/game he would already be in the rafters and we wouldn't even be discussing this.

June 18, 2009 at 11:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

100 (anonymous) says...

Without Aldrich we might not dominate that UNC game like we did. Who knows what could've happened if Cole hadn't kept swatting Hansborough's shots into the San Antonio night sky.

Without Collins plain & simple -- we wouldn't have beat Memphis for the title.

So if we win the whole thing next year, I think three names go up -- Collins, Aldrich & Fredrick (right next to Max Faulkenstein).

By the way I think Chalmers fits one of the original requirements -- MVP of Final 4.

Also if we do win it all this year, and a certain new kid (X) goes wild from 3 (as is the reason he was the #1 consensus recruit until his car crash knocked him down a couple notches) and snares the MVP trophy as well as a ring, that really should put 3 current players up -- X, Sherron & Cole.

June 19, 2009 at 1:25 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

KU1992 (anonymous) says...

I don't think we should put his number up in the rafters. Which is not a knock on Keith. In my opinion he was one of the most entertaining players to ever come through Kansas. I just don't think he is an all time great.

I honestly don't think Gooden should be up there to be honest. He was good, but... i don't know. I think i would talk Keith over Gooden.

June 20, 2009 at 5:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

worrynotjhawk (anonymous) says...

How about they just hang all the different pairs of shoes the guy wore in his 4 seasons from the rafters? That would be a better tribute to K Freeze.

June 20, 2009 at 9:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

frisbeenation (anonymous) says...

It's possible to remember standout players without retiring their jerseys. Kee-Freeze was a good, but not great Jayhawk.

June 22, 2009 at 2:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

raefrules15 (anonymous) says...

if you put him up next thing you would know is miles moody lee would be up there. We need to save room

June 25, 2009 at 9:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

masonhawk08 (anonymous) says...

I think langford should hang in the rafters because of what he did to d-wade in the final 4 plus he was a great player. people should remember that he was the go to guy on that team.

June 29, 2009 at 3:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

ginger2015 (anonymous) says...

100,

Are you nuts? A two year starter and a OAD.

July 3, 2009 at 6:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

jeffthejayhawk (anonymous) says...

For Keith to change from high octane, offensive machine to a 87 octane, high-low grinder and still be able to score is pretty remarkable. He was not cursed with a Kenny Gregory jumper, but that part of his game was lacking for sure. The guy had ice in his veins and won far more games in crunch time than he lost. If Roy does not leave he flip flops with Wayne and is one of the greats. As it is now he falls just short which is unfortunate.
Recruiting, recruiting, recruiting...that's why the rules have changed. Kids need to see guys in the 2 or 3 classes before them be successful and we need to showcase our NBA alumni (well, maybe not alumni).

July 6, 2009 at 4:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Hawksboy88 (anonymous) says...

jnewell,

Excellent point.

July 6, 2009 at 4:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )