Kansas Jayhawks Number Rankings: Four

Let's see how Gradey Dick stacks up against the best KU players to ever wear number four

Author:
Derek Noll
Publish date:
Apr 17, 2023 12:30 PM EDT

In this story:

A few weeks ago, we started a new series ranking current KU players against other KU stars who have worn the same number. Jalen Wilson fared pretty well against other number tens, and Dajuan Harris stacked up nicely against his fellow number threes. Now, it’s Gradey Dick’s turn. With so many legends wearing number four, how does this one and done fare against some of the best players in recent KU memory?

For the new readers, here’s how it works: I’ll list the guys who wore the same number, give a few blurbs about each player, and ultimately find a place where the current Jayhawk ranks, and I’ll try to keep recency bias out of it, so these rankings should be as unbiased as possible. These rankings start with players from 1983 on, the year Larry Brown took charge in Lawrence.

Other recent number fours:

Ryan Robertson. Four seasons, 1995-1999.

Remember when it was controversial that a player from the St. Louis area dared to go to Kansas? Robertson was solid as a Jayhawk, averaging 7.4 points and 3.4 assists per game in his career. Plus, he’s the only number four to play in both the Big 8 and Big 12.

Nick Collison. Four seasons, 1999-2003.

What a player. In 2003, Nick Collison was the Big 12 Player of the Year, a consensus All-American, led the nation in rebounds, and was NABC National Player of the Year. Collison is a true legend that averaged 14.7 points and 8 rebounds over the course of his career and led KU to two Final Fours.

Sherron Collins. Four seasons, 2006-2010.

A true catalyst in the 2008 championship game, Sherron Collins had a superb KU career. He scored 13.2 points per game and finished with 3.9 assists per outing. Sherron was a first team All-Big 12 performer twice. He was a second team All-American in his junior season and elevated to first team AA status in his senior campaign.

Justin Wesley. Three seasons, 2011-2014

Wesley averaged about a point and a rebound per game in a KU uniform.

Devonte’ Graham. Four seasons, 2014-2018.

The number four has to be the most stacked number in Kansas history. Devonte’ Graham was a stud for KU, especially in his final two seasons, the last of which he helped the Jayhawks reach a Final Four. Devonte’ averaged 12.3 points and 4.5 assists over his four years in Lawrence.

Isaiah Moss. One season, 2019-2020.

This Iowa transfer was fine if not a little disappointing, only hitting 35% from three over the season. Would’ve loved to see what he could’ve provided in an NCAA tournament where Kansas were the favorites to win it all. Scored eight points per game in his one year at KU.

Latrell Josell. One season, 2020-2021.

Played a total of 27 minutes as a Jayhawk and has since transferred to Stephen A. Austin.

How does Gradey Dick stack up?

With only one season to compete with KU legends like Collison, Collins, and Graham, Dick still does surprisingly well. He shot 40% from three in the regular season, a number that was closer to 45 or 46 for much of the year until he tailed off late in the regular season. His 14.3 PPG were enough to make him the Big 12 Freshman of the Year and Bill Self praised Dick as the best freshman shooter he’s ever coached.

Gradey got hot in the first game of the NCAA tournament, producing the only double-double of his career, but couldn’t shake Arkansas defenders in the second round loss. For the season and his career, Gradey’s line looks like this: 14.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, 44% from the floor, and 40% from deep.

Overall, the longevity of the players in front of him is what makes him mid-pack in these rankings. He was never surpassing Nick, Sherron, and Devonte’ or Ryan Robertson.