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Volume 128 Issue 108
Wednesday, April 15, 2015
kansan.com
COMMENTARY Perry Ellis made right decision with return
Ben Felderstein
@Ben Felderstein
Perry Ellis returning for his senior season was the right decision. Ellis finished his junior season at Kansas in the round of 32 for the second straight season.
If Ellis can improve his play and lead the Jayhawks into a deeper March run next season, his draft stock will likely improve. Ellis is the third Jayhawk listed on CBS' top 100 draft prospects. Former teammates and Jayhawks Kelly Oubre Jr. and Cliff Alexander come into the list ranked 10th and 30th respectively.
Ellis has averaged 10.9 points per game over his three-year career, including 5.8 rebounds per game as well. Ellis improved his scoring total all three years at Kansas, but shot a career low from the field this past season.
The forward from Wichita has been a part of the consecutive Big 12 regular season championships but has not advanced past the Sweet 16. According to CBSports.com, Ellis was the 71st best prospect in this year's upcoming NBA draft.
Ellis announced that he will play for Kansas' next season at this year's basketball awards banquet Monday night. Barring injury, Ellis' play is expected to only improve over another season's time.
During his senior season, Ellis will likely improve his numbers across the board and improve his stock similarly to former Jayhawk Jeff Withey his senior year.
Edited by Garrett Long
Next April, Ellis will prepare for the next step of his career. For now, he will focus on capturing an eighth straight title to add to his resume and more post-season success. Things will only get better for Ellis from here.
While regular season success is commendable, you can bet Ellis is still yearning for more March success. He has seen former high school teammates in the Final Four; maybe his senior season will finally be his turn.
Like Ellis, Withey's scoring average increased every year he played at Kansas and reached a pinnacle his senior year when he averaged 13.7 points.
Ellis also has unfinished business to attend to as a Jayhawk. In high school, Ellis was a four-time state champion. With three straight Big 12 titles, he will be going for eight championships in eight seasons.
Withey's numbers improved all around in his senior season, including blocks (146), assists (35) and rebounds per game (8.5). Withey was drafted 39th overall by the Portland Trail Blazers. The center currently plays for the New Orleans Pelicans, averaging 7.0 minutes per game.
Ellis' current draft stock does not bode well for him. If he were to declare for the draft, he would be a late second-round pick, if drafted at all. Posting a solid senior season can only improve his position for next year.
FILE PHOTO/KANSAN
Members of the 2013-14 Kansas track team run in the Kansas Relays. The 88th Kansas Relays begin today at 10 a.m. and will continue through Saturday
Jayhawks begin annual Kansas Relays today
@gjmelia
G. J MELIA
The 88th annual Kansas Relays are set to begin today at 10 a.m. with the decathlon 100 meters. The majority of the day will include decathlon and heptathlon events in both the college open and the quadrangular.
The college open meet features athletes from multiple Midwest schools, while the quadrangular will feature Kansas, Kansas State, Purdue and Colorado State.
Kansas Relays is a four-day meet, as compared to a smaller one-to-two day event. Head coach Stanley Redwine said that it gives the multi-event athletes a better opportunity to compete. He also said the Relays are similar to the Big 12 and
Thursday will be the start of track and field events for the college open, along with a continuation of the decathlon and heptathlon events. Friday is the first day of Kansas high school competition, with college open events intertwined throughout the day.
Kansas Relays is the first of two home meets for the jayhawks this outdoor season. The next will be the Rock Chalk Classic on May 2, Kansas' last regular season meet before the Big 12
"I think it is great preparation for the end of the season," Redwine said. "So this is the first time we are going to be able to start preparing ourselves and looking at it from that perspective."
NCAA Championship meets with the four-day format.
"So this is the first time we are going to be able to start preparing ourselves and looking at it from that perspective."
Outdoor Championships.
Both Redwine and junior distance runner Hannah Richardson said they prepare for the Relays like any other meet, but realize that it is one of the biggest meets of the season.
STANLEY REDWINE Kansas.coach
"I try to treat each race the same and focus just the same, but it's just really nice when you win on your own track," Richardson said. "And
it also brings another level of comfort because we train on [Rock Chalk Park] so much. So to get to race on it, it's just more fun than anything."
Richardson is coming off of two straight weeks with wins in the 1,500 meters, including a personal record last week in the John McDonnell Invitational. Richardson will not be running the 1,500 meters this weekend, but will be anchoring the distance medley relay and competing in the 800 meters.
Senior hurdler Michael Stigler with be running in the 400 meter hurdles for the first time since the Texas Relays, posted a time of 48.44 seconds. That record-breaking mark was Stigler's personal best, a school record and the world-leading time for the event this season.
He was later named National Athlete of the Week by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association for the performance. Stigler is coming off of first-place finishes in both the 110 meter hurdles and the 4x400 relay in Fayetteville, Ark., over the weekend.
Beginning at 6 p.m. Friday will be the invitational shot put competition in downtown Lawrence. This event will feature some of the top shot putters in the United States.
Saturday is the final day of the Relays, and will include the entirety of the quadrangular. It will also entail the final events of Kansas high school and college open competition.
- Edited by Victoria Kirk
FACE OF THE STREAK
Keith Langford vs. Tyrel Reed
PPG: 13.3
RPG: 4.3
APG: 2.4
KEITH LANGFORD
Langford spent four seasons as a Jayhawk. Langford was a sharp-shooting left at the shooting guard position and averaged double-digit scoring in his final three seasons. As a sophomore, Langford earned a spot on the NCAA All-Final Four team and was a Wooden Award Finalist as a junior. The streak began during Langford's senior season, in which he earned All-Big 12 Second Team honors while averaging 14.4 points per game.
- Ranked 2nd on Kansas in points, rebounds and assists per game in 2003-04 All-Big 12 Second Team for two seasons
VOTE FOR THE WINNER OF THIS MATCHUP AT KANSAN.COM BEGINNING AT NOON
TYREL REED
While never really breaking out as a star, Reed was a fixture of a Kansas team that started 18-0, winning six games by 30-or-more points. Reed's ability to stretch the floor with his shooting made him one of the more dangerous Jayhawks. While he may have been a little smaller than a typical two or three, he certainly didn't lack heart. Reed would exit the University as the all-time winningest player in Kansas history.
PPG: 6.3
RPG: 1.9
APG: 1.2
- Winningest Jayhawk of all time
- Led the Big 12 in 3-point field goal percentage in 2009-10
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