Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid (21) goes up for a dunk against Orlando Magic's Bismack Biyombo (11) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Dec. 2, 2016, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid (21) goes up for a dunk against Orlando Magic's Bismack Biyombo (11) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Dec. 2, 2016, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

For years Paul Pierce carried with him in and out of every arena the title of best Kansas basketball player in the NBA. Those days, obviously, are over, with Pierce playing seldom minutes off the Los Angeles Clippers’ bench in his 19th season.

KU coach Bill Self, though, has a pretty good idea who will start representing the Jayhawks in all-star games to come, now that Pierce won’t be able to add to his 10 career appearances.

During a recent airing of “Hawk Talk,” Self’s radio show with host Brian Hanni, the 14th-year Kansas coach said “possibly” twins Marcus and Markieff Morris could one day reach an all-star level. However, Self had another pair of his pupils in mind.

“But the reality is the best two shots
we have to be perennial all-stars
would be Jo (Joel Embiid), and of
course Andrew (Wiggins),” the coach
said.

Self shared he checks box scores daily to keep up with all the ‘Hawks in the NBA. The coach couldn’t help but notice Philadelphia’s Embiid has a shot to join Wiggins as a Rookie of the Year from KU.

“I think it’d be great. I think Jo can
definitely win it if he plays enough,
you know. ‘Cause he’s gonna end up
averaging 20 and close to 10 — pretty
good for a rookie,” Self said. “But
the bottom line is are they gonna
allow him to play enough to win an
award that big.”

After Embiid missed two complete seasons due to serious complications with a foot injury, the Sixers have eased their 7-footer into the NBA grind. So far the 22-year-old phenom from Cameroon has looked the part of a future franchise cornerstone, and averaged 18.2 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.5 blocks while playing 23.5 minutes in 15 of Philly’s 23 games.

.@JoelEmbiid and @dariosaric setting up shop atop @NBAcom's Rookie Ladder

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Though Self didn’t say it, Embiid actually is the runaway favorite to win Rookie of the Year, even with his minutes restrictions (currently up to 28 a game). The big man’s college coach claimed he doesn’t know what will happen with the rest of the season for the Sixers’ star in the making. But Self called his former center “smart” and improving, before providing some evidence.

“He threw a little temper tantrum when
they took him out the other day ’cause
he was over his minute limit and he
couldn’t get a chance to play in
overtime and he kicked the chair. But
at least he kicked it with his good
foot,” Self joked. “So, I mean, that
was a positive.”

Joel Embiid kicks bench in frustration after Sixers doctors sit him down for second overtime period due to minutes limit pic.twitter.com/cZMUDEWIdv

— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) November 24, 2016

But seriously, folks. While many great college players have come and gone during Self’s tenure in Lawrence, he still thoroughly enjoys keeping up with the exploits of two players he barely spent any time coaching: his one-and-dones who became two of the top three picks in the 2014 draft.

Minnesota Timberwolves' Andrew Wiggins, left, drives on Charlotte Hornets' Michael Kidd-Gilchrist in the first quarter of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2016, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)

Wiggins, now 22 games into his third year as a pro, is averaging a career-high 22.4 points and making 37.6% of his 3-pointers (also a personal best).

“To me it is so much fun watchin’
those guys play, what they can do,”
Self said. “Wiggs has had — he had 47.
I mean 47 in an NBA game. Think
about that. And then there were some
games when he was here when, good
gosh, it was like pullin’ teeth to get
him to be aggressive enough to score
double figures some games. But the
light has come on with him. It’s so
much fun to see.”

Thursday night in a nationally televised game against his hometown team of Toronto, the young Canadian scored 25 points on 10-for-19 shooting in a Minnesota loss.

Andrew Wiggins – aka Air Canada

While Wiggins at times still draws criticism for not asserting himself more consistently on the court, Self said Embiid doesn’t have that problem.

“Jo’s got a nasty streak to him,” Self
explained. “I think that’s really
gonna benefit him as far as when he
gets totally turned loose and he can
play 35 or 40 minutes a game… I mean,
think about it: he’s averagin’ 20 a
game and he’s only playin’ 22 minutes
a game. I mean he’s capable of puttin’
up some big numbers. So it’ll be fun
for them to watch.”

Four of Philadelphia’s five victories have come on nights when Embiid plays. The organization continues to keep him from participating in both ends of back-to-back nights as the medical staff maintains a watchful eye on what looks to be the franchise’s most important player since Allen Iverson. The Sixers are 1-7 without Embiid and 4-11 with him in the lineup.

Thursday night in a Philly road win over Anthony Davis and New Orleans, Embiid put up 14 points, 4 blocks and 7 rebounds. His swat on a Davis drive to the basket reminded everyone who saw it of just how dominant the 22-year-old big could one day become.

.@JoelEmbiid highlights hot off the digital presses ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/sROMtd7ZzS

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) December 9, 2016

As obvious as Embiid’s and Wiggins’ talents are, Self didn’t stop there when discussing marquee Kansas players for The Association. Sometime in the not-so-distant future, Self expects another Jayhawk entering the NBA ranks to make some lucky franchise better, following the 2017 draft.

“And then Josh (Jackson) is gonna get
drafted high. Hopefully Josh can play
himself into that, as well,” Self said
of attaining all-star status.