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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2013
FRESHMAN
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Embiid emulates All-Star's style
BLAKE SCHUSTER
bschuster@kansan.com
There's a video that Kansas freshman Joel Embid owns and no matter how many times he watches he's still amazed.
It's not a thriller or an Oscar-winner - although the video's star has certainly earned his fair share of awards. It's footage of NBA All-Star center Hakeem Olajuwon's playing days, and Embiid can't look away.
You'll see him watching it while eating lunch at the Underground, or after practice, to remind himself how much harder he needs to work.
Embiid's eyes never stray from the Houston legend. He's studying how Olajuwon sets his feet in the paint, how he dips his shoulder and where he places the ball before attacking the rim. He focuses on his hero blocking shots from all angles. And, of course, he's breaking down Olajuwon's patented "Dream Shake," rewinding the clip to see how it's done.
"I watch it almost every night," Embiid said. "I watch all of his moves. I'm learning it."
It's no surprise when coaches and scouts alike compare Embid to his idol. Ask him to think of basketball and he conjures images of Olajuwon bullying his way to the rim.
Ask coach Bill Self what he sees in Embid and the answer won't be too far off.
"Watch Joel play and you'll say he's got unbelievable feet," Self said at the start of the season. "He reminds me of Olajuwon early in his career. I'm not saying that he's Olajuwon at all, but there are similarities."
More similarities than you'd think.
Neither Olajuwon nor Embiid touched a basketball before the age of 15. Both were preoccupied with soccer as kids, although Embiid soon moved onto volleyball - the national sport of his native Cameroon.
Yet, between running drills and scrimmaging, Embiid would palm the volleyball, turn and fire shots at the rim that hung in the practice gym. His field goal percentage might not have gotten him looks from local teams, but his 7-foot frame sure did. At 16 years old, coaches sure made Embiid had the
right ball to shoot with.
This is how Olajuwon entered his life.
"When I first started playing basketball, my first coach gave me that video to watch." Embid said.
Embid saw the life he could have. He saw the packed arenas, high-flying athletes and the stardom and adoration they received. More than anything, Embid saw an African like himself creating a roadmap to bring others to the United States through basketball.
through basketball.
That map has brought him to Kansas, where Embiid is closer to reaching his dream than ever. NBA draft boards have already projected him as a lottery pick in the 2014 class. While he's still a Jayhawk, Bill Self has a way, and a person, to make it happen.
make it happen.
"Jojo has a lot of talent," senior transfer Tarik Black said. "Jojo can be as good as he wants to be. It's my job to help him mature in his game, understand a couple of things, and just help him with the little things on the court to make him that much better of a player."
much better as a physicist.
As Black helps to mature Embiid's game, Embiid is quickly learning about the increased physicality at the college level. As the freshman puts it, he doesn't like to bang. It's up to Black to teach him how.
"He's got a long way to go from a strength and toughness standpoint," Self said. "But he moves in a way that very few big guys can."
It's not just Black who Embidid credits with helping to expedite his growth. It's the entire crew of bigs at Kansas, and he's watching them with the same intensity that he studies Olaiuwon.
It's the culture of developing big men that Self created which has brought Embid to Lawrence. It's names like Jeff Withey, Thomas Robinson, the Morris Twins and Cole Aldrich that he hopes to have his mentioned with.
More than anything, it's the video of Olajuwon and the steps Embid must take to come close to his level.
"That's why Kansas is such a good place for me," Embiid said. "They have Perry Ellis, Tarik Black, Jamari Traylor, Landen Lucas. I get to play against them every practice. I'll get better."
— Edited by Duncan McHenry
GEORGE MULLINIX/KANSAN
Freshman center Joel Embid (21) studies legendary NBA All-Star Hakeem Olajuwon's moves to improve his own performance on the court. The two players have similar backgrounds that led them to basketball.
GEORGE MULLINIX/KANSAN
Senior forward Tarik Black will act as a mentor to freshman center Joel Embiid and a leader to the Kansas team as a whole in preparation for the upcoming 2013-14 basketball season.
CHEMISTRY
when Black graduated in three years and announced his plans to transfer in his final year of eligibility, coach Bill Self knew he would be a valuable asset to what would be a young group of forwards.
Black approaches season with confidence, leadership
onchorggng Senior forward Tarik Black transferred to Kansas after three seasons at Memphis, where he averaged 8.1 points and 4.8 rebounds per game last season. Black is an athletic 6-foot-9-inch center who struggled to live up to high expectations at Memphis.
"When coach Self recruited me he told me I don't care if you're new to the program or not, you're going to have to come in and be a leader for me." Black said.
Self needed a leader and Black welcomed the chance to fulfill his dreams of playing on college basketball's biggest stage. It was a perfect fit.
"I've always been kind of like a subtle guy, not too extravagant, not too flamboyant, but at the same time I've always liked being a
MAX GOODWIN mggoodwin@kansan.com
The most experienced player on the Kansas roster has yet to play an official game for the Jayhawks.
“Being able to be out there with my teammates, we laugh so much, we have fun together,” Black said. “This thing is bigger than basketball to us. We're family. We don't say that for no reason, we really are a family. All of the accolades, that will come, just how hard we work and the talent we have, we'll put things together and put all of this stuff in coach Self's hands.”
One of Black's most important jobs in his new family is being a role model for freshman center Joel Embid, carrying the load at center while Embid continues to develop his name.
Black knows how important this season could be for him. Not only is it his last opportunity to play on a big stage, but it is his final season to prove himself as an NBA talent.
high-caliber person and that's how Kansas functions," Black said on the day before his first appearance as a Jayhawk. "Their humbleness, but also their expectancy of greatness. Put that together and it's the perfect place for me," Black said.
The irony for him, however, is the relief he feels in making the adjustment to Kansas, after leaving his hometown of Memphis.
mis game.
Self said that Black is the most mature player on the team and he
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"Every time Joel hits him, he lets him know that's what you need to be doing, good job," Self said. "I don't know if Joel says that to Tarik when Tarik hits him, but certainly Tarik likes to see a guy compete against him like that."
Black understands that once Embid becomes more adept, Self will be taking some playing time away from Black. But Self said Black does what is best for the team.
Embid has noticed the competition improving his game, even in the short time that they've practiced together this season.
nepiped all of the young players on the roster improve their games.
There is no shortcut to building team chemistry. But it starts in practice, and Black is focused on improving his teammates and the way they play together.
He said Self hasn't cut them any slack as they've adjusted and learned the system.
"Practice is tough, but we're preparing to be great." Black said. "We don't want to fall short."
"He's a man," Embid said. "I'm getting better play against him."
Edited by Trevor Graff