6B = THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
WEDNESDAY, NOV.7, 2001
MEN'S BASKETBALL PREVIEW
JEFFHAWKINS
'Plan B' could prove to be a good strategy
Throughout last year's recruiting process, Kansas City, Kan., native Jeff Hawkins was considered a plan 'B' recruit.
Meaning, Hawkins was a player Kansas would fall back on if other recruits didn't sign. When those recruits went elsewhere, Hawkins ended up here.
But from the looks of Hawkins so far this preseason, there's nothing plan 'B' about him.
Hawkins is redshirting his freshman season at Kansas and is on an academic scholarship. Next season, Hawkins will go on
an athletic scholarship and add depth to Kansas' back-court. The 5-foot-11 guard comes to Kansas after a successful high school career at Summer Academy in Kansas City. Hawkins averaged 19.6 points per game as a senior and was named firstteam All-State.
Jayhawk fans caught a glimpse of Hawkins during the annual Late Night with Roy Williams scrimmage. Hawkins scored two points in the Late Night scrimmage and displayed his quickness and ball handling ability.
Year: Redshirt
Freshman
Position: Guard
Height: 5-11
Hometown: Kansas
City, Kan.
Favorite actress: Nia
Long
Favorite movie:
Friday
— Ryan Malashock
CHRIS ZERBE
Senior treasures season
Kansas men's basketball senior forward Chris Zerbe said he realized everything he did this year would be for the last time, and he wanted to cherish every moment.
"Everything is one step closer to the end of my career," Zerbe said. "I'll miss it once it's over."
Zerbe walked onto the team last season from Hutchinson Community College. Friend and teammate Brett Ballard came with Zerbe from Hutchinson.
Zerbe played in 16 games last season, scoring in 12 of them. He averaged just
under a point per minute played. He scored a career-high six points against Boise State last season.
He knows his role as a reserve and is ready if someone gets in foul trouble.
Zerbe said he was excited about this year's freshman class and said they were great athletes.
"Everyone's stronger and quicker this year," Zerbe said.
"I'm content being a practice player," Zerbe said.
Ali Brox
Year: Senior
Position: Forward
Height: 6-5
Hometown:
Andover, Kan.
Favorite vacation
spot: Hawaii
Favorite NBA team:
Philadelphia 76ers
LEWIS HARRISON
Walk-on guard prepared for role as team leader
Senior Lewis Harrison says he feels like a key contributor to the Kansas basketball team, even though he doesn't play in games on a regular basis.
Harrison thought his career might have ended after he completed his sophomore year at Kansas City Kansas Community College. The 6-foot, 175-pound guard had options from several small schools, but Harrison wanted to make it big.
Entering walk-on tryouts without the guarantee of a roster spot. Harrison impressed the Kansas coaches enough to make the team.
Year: Senior
Position: Guard
Height: 6-0
Hometown: Kansas City, Kan.
Favorite actor:
Martin Lawrence
Favorite movie: He Got Game
After earning a spot on the Jayhawk roster,
Harrison said he was eager to learn the Kansas system and help the team by practicing as hard as he could.
Harrison appeared in 16 games as a late game reserve last season, averaging 2.4 minutes per game.
But Harrison said his worth to Kansas didn't consist of his game performances. He wants to be a mentor. Harrison wants to coach one day, and Kansas coach Roy Williams may find Harrison acting as another coach in practice this season.
"Last year, I did a lot of learning," Harrison said. "I feel like I've got the knowledge needed to be a leader in practice. I want to pass everything I know to the freshmen especially. I'll show them how to get through practice and give them pointers."
— Ryan Malashock
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