Travis Releford went to the University of Kansas as a highly-touted basketball recruit out of the Kansas City area. After being the odd man out during his freshman season, Releford accepted a redshirt during his second year. For the next three seasons, Releford became the player that everyone anticipated him being: a gritty defensive specialist who could carry the Jayhawks when needed. He became so valuable by the end of his senior year that coach Bill Self called Releford the "rock" of the Jayhawks.