The 1988 Kansas Basketball Roster: Where Are They Now?

The 1988 Kansas Jayhawks were one of the most talented squads in college basketball history. Led by future NBA Stars Danny Manning and Mitch Richmond, the Jayhawks went on to win the National Championship that year.

So what ever happened to that talented team? Here’s a look at where the members of the 1988 Kansas basketball roster are today.

The 1988 Kansas Basketball Roster

The 1988 Kansas basketball team will always be remembered for their Cinderella run to the NCAA championship game. That team, led by Danny Manning, upset Oklahoma in the title game and gave the Jayhawks their first NCAA Championship in school history.

But what ever happened to the players on that team? Where are they now?

Here’s a quick update on what the 1988 Kansas Basketball Roster is doing today:

Danny Manning – After a successful NBA career, Manning became the Head Coach at his alma mater, Wake Forest He was fired in 2020 after six seasons.

Milt Newton – After a brief stint in the NBA, Newton became a successful businessman. He is currently the CEO of Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx.

Chris Piper – Piper had a very brief NBA Career before becoming a real estate agent. He currently lives in Lawrence, Kansas.

Jeff Gueldner – Gueldner had a short NBA career before going into coaching. He was an Assistant Coach at Kansas from 2003-2010. He is currently an assistant coach at Creighton University.

Mike Evans – Evans played professionally overseas before becoming a coach. He is currently an assistant coach at Texas Tech University

Where Are They Now?

Many of the players from the 1988 Kansas Jayhawks men’s Basketball team have gone on to have successful careers, both in the NBA and elsewhere. Here’s a look at what some of them are doing now.

Danny Manning: After a successful college and NBA career Manning is now the head coach of his alma mater, Wake Forest University.

Rex Walters: Walters played professionally in Europe for many years before returning to the States to become Head Coach of the University of San Francisco men’s basketball team

Milt Newton: After a brief stint as an NBA executive, Newton is now the Head coach of George Washington University’s men’s Basketball team

Mark Randall: Randall played overseas for several years before retiring from Professional Basketball in 2001. He is now a basketball analyst for ESPN.

Chris Piper: Piper also played professionally in Europe before moving into coaching. He is currently an assistant coach for his former team, the Charlotte Hornets

Danny Manning

Danny Manning is widely regarded as one of the best players in Kansas history. He was a two-time All-American and the 1988 National Player of the Year. Manning led the Jayhawks to the 1988 National Championship where they defeated Oklahoma in the title game. He is currently the head coach at Wake Forest University.

Chris Piper

Chris Piper was a 6’3″ shooting guard from Pontiac, Michigan. He played three seasons for the Jayhawks from 1985-1988. As a senior, he averaged 10.4 points and 3.5 rebounds per game He was part of the 1988 Jayhawk team that won the National Championship

After graduation, Piper played professional basketball in Europe for several years before returning to the United States He now works as a basketball coach and scout.

Mark Randall

Mark Randall was a key player on the 1988 Jayhawks team that went on to win the National Championship After a successful college career, Randall played for several NBA teams before retiring in 2001. He now runs a successful youth Basketball Program in his hometown of Kansas City Missouri.

Kevin Pritchard

Kevin Pritchard was born in Kansas City Missouri and played High School ball at Shawnee Mission West High School He then attended the University of Kansas on a Basketball Scholarship After college, Pritchard played professional basketball in Europe for several years before returning to the United States to join the NBA coaching ranks. He has been an assistant coach with the Portland Trail Blazers and the Indiana Pacers and is currently the head coach of the Philadelphia 76ers.

Milt Newton

Milt Newton is a name many Kansas basketball fans remember fondly. He was a key member of the 1988 Jayhawk team that went on to win the National Championship After his playing days were over, Newton remained involved in the game of basketball He worked as an assistant coach at his alma mater, George Washington University and later became the director of player personnel for the Washington Wizards In 2016, he was named the General Manager of the Minnesota Timberwolves

Jeff Gueldner

Jeff Gueldner was a forward on the 1988 Kansas basketball team that went on to win the NCAA Championship. He averaged 8.8 points and 3.5 rebounds per game during his collegiate career.

After graduation, Gueldner played professional basketball in Europe for several years before returning to the United States He now works as a real estate agent in Kansas City Missouri.

Chris Handy

The 1988 Kansas basketball team will always be remembered for their improbable run to the NCAA championship. A team that was picked to finish seventh in the Big Eight Conference ended up winning it all, thanks in part to a roster full of talented players.

One of those players was Chris Handy, a 6’7″ forward from Tulsa, Oklahoma. Handy was a key player off the bench for the Jayhawks, averaging 6.2 points and 3.8 rebounds per game.

After graduating from Kansas in 1992, Handy played professional basketball overseas for several years. He eventually returned to the United States and settled in Colorado, where he now runs a successful real estate business.

Matt Steffes

MATT STEFFES
-#25 Forward
-6’8” 215lbs
-Born: October 21, 1965 in Aberdeen, SD
--high school Aberdeen Central (1983)

Matt Steffes was a member of the 1988 Kansas basketball team that finished with a 27-11 record and advanced to the Elite Eight of the NCAA tournament Steffes played in all 38 games for the Jayhawks, averaging 5.1 points and 2.8 rebounds per game.

Following his senior season at Kansas, Steffes played professionally in Europe for several years before returning to the United States and embarking on a successful coaching career. Steffes is currently the head coach of the boys’ basketball team at Sioux Falls Lincoln high school in Sioux Falls South Dakota