Beyond the Phog: Untold Stories from Kansas Basketball's Most Dominant Decade

Overview

Since the turn of the century, not many college basketball teams in the country have enjoyed success quite like Kansas. Winning the 2008 national championship was certainly the highlight, but the most dominant era in school history also includes a national-best 300 wins, three Final Fours and nine Big 12 titles since 2001.

The consistency was unmatched.

As a sportswriter covering the Jayhawks, first for The Kansas City Star and then for Yahoo! Sports, Jason King was there to chronicle it all. From Roy Williams' stunning departure to Mario's Miracle against Memphis to Kansas' 69-game winning streak at Allen Fieldhouse, King witnessed all the highlights - and lowlights - from 2000 and beyond. In short, he was the ultimate insider.

Now you will be, too.

With "Beyond the Phog," King provides Kansas fans with an unprecedented glimpse into one of the most memorable eras in the program's rich history. Extensive interviews with nearly 40 players from the last decade, as well as both head coaches, reveal fascinating details about the inner-workings of a true college basketball dynasty.

You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll be riveted - and, at times, shocked. Whatever the case, even the most ardent Kansas supporters will be exposed to candid, behind the scenes stories and anecdotes that, until now, had been confined to the Jayhawks' locker room.

Here's a sample of what's inside:

• Did Drew Gooden's shoes cost Kansas the 2002 NCAA title?
• Nick Collison and Kirk Hinrich lament their final game against Syracuse
• Roy Williams provides details about his final few weeks at Kansas and his relationship with Al Bohl
• Why did Wayne Simien almost quit basketball?
• Jeff Graves comes clean about violating a sacred locker room rule
• Russell Robinson describes why he tried to fight his own coach
• J.R. Giddens gives his version of the Moon Bar stabbing
• Darrell Arthur explains why he's been hesitant to return to campus since winning the 2008 title
• Mario Chalmers provides a step-by-step account of his heroic shot against Memphis
• Tyshawn Taylor discusses the aftermath of the Jayhawks' 2011 loss to VCU
• Josh Selby talks about his decision to enter the NBA draft
• And hundreds of other stories from favorites such as Sherron Collins, Keith Langford, Jeff Boschee, Aaron Miles, Michael Lee, Eric Chenowith, Xavier Henry, Luke Axtell, Sasha Kaun, Tyrel Reed, Jeff Hawkins, Brady Morningstar, Darnell Jackson and others.

Time has clearly loosened lips in Lawrence. "Beyond the Phog" is an honest, candid look at what really happened during a magical - and often controversial - period in Kansas basketball history.