Kansas University’s basketball big men during the Roy Williams era have been known for their versatility.

“Big guys coming down on the secondary break … being able to make a shot from the free-throw area, the top of the key is something we’ve lived on for 15 years,” said Williams, entering his 15th year at the Jayhawks’ helm.

“Having guys step in and make that shot is very important, and Wayne is shooting it well.”

Sophomore forward Wayne Simien is poised to join Williams-coached big men like Eric Pauley, Mark Randall, Mike Maddox, Drew Gooden, Raef LaFrentz, Eric Chenowith, Scot Pollard and current teammate Nick Collison as a big guy who can stick the outside jumper.

The 6-foot-9, 255-pound Simien hit four outside shots en route to 26 points in Monday’s 111-94 victory against EA Sports All-Stars, and said Williams had encouraged him to fire away. One of his outside buckets from the right side was just inside the three-point arc.

“Coach has given me the OK,” said Simien. “I worked hard on it (outside shooting) in the summer and fall and have been shooting it well at practice.”

The powerful Simien says he has no intention to drift too much.

“The first priority is getting it down low and attacking the basket,” he said.

Kansas University forward Wayne Simien takes a jumper Saturday against EA Sports All-Stars.

KU’s ability to convert easy baskets is the main reason the Jayhawks led the country in shooting percentage (50.6) a year ago.

“We have got to throw the ball into the low post. If I don’t have a guy who can beat your guy I’m going to be fired because we have got to get the ball inside,” Williams said emphatically at last Saturday’s KU basketball coaches’ clinic.

A year ago, big men Collison and Gooden each hit their fair share of 12- to 17-footers and made a habit of finding each other for layups.

Expect more of the same from Collison’s new target.

“He does a good job of sealing. He’ll get a lot of buckets (from) me hitting him, just like Drew,” said Collison, who missed his only three-point try Monday after icing three of eight last year. He finished with 18 points off 7-of-11 shooting.

KU’s other big men Jeff Graves and Moulaye Niang scored eight and seven points on Monday. The 6-foot-10, 215-pound Niang took and missed his one outside jumper from just inside the free-throw line, and the 6-9, 275-pound Graves was 2-for-2 on inside shots. He also hit four of eight free throws.

Collison hopes Niang’s slender frame won’t affect his play against muscular centers this season.

“I don’t know if there will be wear and tear against big strong guys,” Collison said. “(Niang) must use what he has to his advantage quick feet.”

Of Graves, who reported out of shape and still hasn’t passed his running tests, Collison was optimistic.

“He is doing a lot better than when he first came here,” Collison said. “When he first came here he didn’t do a lot of anything. He wants to play and wants to do well, that’s the encouraging thing. He has a good attitude and that’s the most important thing.”