---
Section B · Page 6
---
The University Daily Kansan
Tuesday, April 28, 1996
Jamison heads to the NBA
He will graduate in summer school
The Associated Press
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Antawn Jamison is convinced he is ready for pro basketball, and he will be heading to the NBA with degree in hand.
The national player of the year said yesterday that he will forgo his senior year at North Carolina, passing
up a chance to become the Atlantic Coast Conference's career scoring leader, to enter the NBA draft on June 24.
"When it was time to leave it was difficult to swallow because these three years have probably been the best three years of my life," Jamison said. "It is a lot more difficult than I thought it would be."
At a news conference, the 6-foot 9 forward was joined by coach Bill Guthridge, former coach Dean Smith, parents Albert and Kathy Jamison and several teammates.
"A big reason you are in coaching is you want what's best for your players." Guthridge said. "There aren't many that get this opportunity. So you are thrilled for him."
Jamison is the 13th player to declare early for the NBA draft, joining players such as Mike Bibby of Arizona, Paul Pierce of Kansas and Robert Traylor of Michigan. Among the 13 are two high school players.
Smith advises underclassmen to turn pro if they are projected in the draft's top five. He called at least 16 NBA teams to gauge interest for Jamison.
Jamison, the school's first national player of the year since Michael Jordan in 1984, said he would get his college degree in African studies after two sessions of summer school, meaning he will graduate two semesters ahead of his class.
"The most important thing for me is no matter what happens, I have the opportunity to graduate this summer," he said.
"That was the most important thing about coming to school, to get a degree and maybe having a chance to play in the NBA. I am so close to getting both at the same time it was an opportun-
Jamison, the ACC player of the year, averaged 22.2 points and 10.5 rebounds this season and became the first North Carolina player since Billy Cunningham in 1964-65 to average a double-double.
nity I couldn't pass up."
He finished seventh on North Carolina's scoring list and fourth in rebounding. This year, he set season marks for field goals and rebounds and was second in points in leading the Tar Heels to a 34-4 record and their second straight Final Four. North Carolina lost to Utah in the semifinals.
Jamison said there was no chance he would withdraw his name before the draft, even if the NBA owners were to lock out the players.
"I have made my decision, and there's no turning back now," he said. "I am aware there could be a negative thing with the lockout, but I'm willing to take that chance."
Guthridge said Vince Carter will decide within two weeks whether he will turn pro after his junior season. The last time North Carolina lost two players early to the NBA was in 1995, when Jerry Stackhouse and Rasheed Wallace left after their sophomore years.
PORTLAND, Ore. — A Little League team in North Carolina dedicated its season to him, a Colorado teacher asked him to give a never-quit pep talk to high school students and handicapped Boy Scouts in Georgia were inspired by him.
The Associated Press
Handicapped child touches nation
People all around America have been touched by the story of 11-year-old Kacey McCallister, who despite losing both legs plays baseball and basketball by scooting and propelling himself with his arms.
The calls and letters to his house have come from Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Ohio, Colorado and California. And those are just the states Kacey's mom could think of off the top of her head.
"It's cool," Kacey said. "It's a lot of inspiration."
All the attention came after newspapers nationwide published an Associated Press story and photos of Kacey earlier this month. The irrepressible freckle-faced sixth grader lost both legs at the hip when he was run over by a truck five years ago.
"I have so many papers that have been sent to me from around the country that I don't know where to stick them," said Kacey's mother, Julene.
A woman in Waco, Texas, sent Kacey a catcher's mitt. A California pilot who lost both arms but still flies had a long conversation with the boy.
"I don't know," Mrs. McCallister said. "I think it helps lift people when they see somebody is going through something maybe more challenging than they are and is still smiling."
Craig Conrad, a teacher at Moffatt County High School in Craig, Colo., had Kacey and his mother talk to his class via speaker phone.
"My kids make all kinds of excuses why they can't get their projects done." Conrad said, "and this kid has no legs, and he doesn't let that stop him. It's an inspirational story for all kids to hear."
The McCallisters had yet to hear from Jim Walker, director of the Institute of Marine Sciences in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., who called the AP bureau in Portland and said he wanted to help Kacey with his education.
The institute offers several scholarships to needy students to attend the University of Miami or Nova University in Fort Lauderdale.
"But he doesn't have to go there," Walker said. "We can put a check in a trust fund for him, and he can go to the college of his choice."
Walker said that he couldn't make any promises but that he is going to present a proposal to the institute's board of directors.
There is more publicity in store for Kacey. CNN is sending a crew to the family's home in Keizer, a Salem suburb, and the TV show "Extra" also plans a story.
While Kacey loves the attention, it has brought some trouble at school.
"Some of the kids who have been mean to me in the beginning got really jealous, so they've been even more mean to me," Kacey said. "But that's OK. I just ignore them."
Kacey said he's even more motivated to succeed by the response his story has received.
"I want to show them that I really can do all this stuff," he said.
It's TONIGHT for the last time this season... Quarter Dogs at KU Baseball!
KU vs. K-State
Fan Appreciation
7:00 pm
KU Students FREE with KU ID
The Etc. Shop
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY Kansan
Kansas Union 785-864-4640
Burge Union 785-864-5697
web: www.jayhawks.com
e-mail: joyhawks@ukans.edu
---
Great Employment Opportunity
Coordinate Sales Activities among multiple retail locations
If you have:
Retail Sales Coordinator Needed To
- Excellent communications skills
- Strong background in computers
- Previous marketing experience
- Self motivation to reach quotas
- College degree or related experience
We can offer:
- Bonuses and advancement potential
- Profit sharing plan
- Full paid insurance and more
Microtech Computers 841-9513 Ext. 3110
Hall Center, The University of Kansas
...This is a free public symposium...
1998 commemorates crucial moments in history by which Latino communities became part of the U.S. Population. This symposium will revisit the past experiences of Latinos in the U.S., the more relevant problems of the present economic and social situation, and the impact that current policies will have in the near future and in the next century.
Latino/a Symposium
Thursday, April 30, 1998
8:00 p.m.
Ballroom, Kansas Union
Horowitz Lecturer
Cherrie Moraga,
"Sour Grapes: the Art of Anger"
Friday, May 1, 1998
3:00-5:00 p.m.
Alderson Auditorium, Kansas Union
Welcome-Chancellor Robert Hemenway
Keynote speaker-Manuel Pacheco,
President, University of Missouri
Panel Discussion
Multiculturalism & Education Juan Velasco, University of Kansas, facilitator Chryristine Arguello, University of Kansas Fred Rodriguez, University of Kansas Agapito Mendoza, University of Missouri Kansas City
Saturday, May 2.1998
9:00 a.m.
Jayhawk Room, Kansas Union
Latino/a Contributions in Culture and
Literature
Nicholas Shump, University of Kansas, facilitator
Shantanu Duttaahmed, University of Kansas
Marta Caminero-Santangelo, University of Kansas
Jesse Aleman, University of Kansas
Saturday, May 2, 1998,
continued
10:45 a.m.
Jayhawk Room, Kansas Union
History & Emigration
Norm Yetman, University of Kansas, facilitator
Gene Chavez, KCK School District
Pedro Castillo, University of California-Santa Cruz
George Sanchez, University of Southern California
Saturday, May 2, 1998
12:15-1:15 p.m.
Lunch on your own, facilities nearby.
1:30-3:00 p.m.
1:30-3:00 p.m.
Alderson Auditorium, Kansas Union
Economic, Political & Cultural Impact in the Midwest Steve Ramirez, University of Kansas, facilitator Valerie Mendoza, University of Kansas Rodolfo Arevalo, Fort Hays State University Antonio Augusto, Kansas Department of Commerce
3:15-4:45 p.m.
Alderson Auditorium, Kansas Union
Latinas in Culture and Politics
Gloria Flores, University of Kansas, facilitator
Maria Teresa Velez, University of Arizona, Tucson
Mary Padilla, Manager, Integrated Marketing,
UNIVISION
Patricia Koehler, President, JR Custom Metals
5:00-7:00 p.m.
Kansas Room, Kansas Union
Reception--music by Trio Aztlan
-Art Exhibitions by Rocha Familia Art
1848-Mexican-American War and the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
1898--Spanish American War and the Treaty of Paris
1998--An opportunity to reevaluate
I will do this.
---