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SPORTS
KANSAN.COM/SPORTS | SECTION C | WEDNESDAY, AUG. 19, 2015
Former Kansas basketball player Christian Garrett, who played at Kansas for four years, trades high fives with the bench on March 3, 2015.
FILE PHOTO/KANSAN
I remember my first days at the University of Kansas like they were yesterday. And really, I have vivid memories of the last five or so years of my life. To me, it all went by too fast.
When I look back, it feels as if one day, I'm a high-school student about to begin my last semester at IMG Academy in Florida, and the next day, I'm a freshman at the University, getting lost on my way to Smith Hall for an English class.
One day, I'm practicing against high school kids, and the next, against Tyshawn Taylor and the Morris twins.
One day, I'm in sunny Florida, and the next, a blizzard — something I had never experienced before.
And it goes on and on. In what felt like a matter of days, I went from being a high school senior to an underclassman, to
to Los Angeles, Las Vegas to Miami. This has been one of the most enjoyable summers of my life, and I made huge strides as a player and as a person.
There are amazing places that have so much to do and experience, but there's something special that stands out about Lawrence no matter where you go.
And while you're in college, there are plenty of memories that will be made. Many of those memories will happen in the Fieldhouse. Mine certainly did.
Every year, every team, every late night and every Big 12 Championship was absolutely incredible. The Missouri game is one I'll never forget, and I hope this year you all make the Kentucky game one to remember.
KANSAN FILE PHOTO
The Kansas student section on March 3. That night, Kansas defeated West Virginia to clinch its 11th straight Big 12 title. It was Christian Garrett's last time suing up for Kansas
a junior and then a senior. Before long it was time to graduate. My four years at the University were done in the blink of an eve.
My time as a student and an athlete at Kansas really prepared me for what I am doing next with my life: playing basketball professionally. I plan to play overseas this year and see where God takes me. And to do that, I had to leave right after graduating and begin this next journey. There was no time for me to stick around and reminisce.
Since then, I've been all around the country, training, doing workouts for coaches and taking part in different events for different leagues around the world. I've been everywhere from Houston
And whether it's standing on the court of Allen Fieldhouse, or bumping into some alumni sitting in a hotel lobby, the love from the fans really is special.
You make that place what it is.
I have a lot of friends who play at other big time Division I programs, and they never experience what you all have given us basketball players, past and present. You have no idea how special it is to us, especially after we're gone.
There are countless stories like this, but this summer, I had happened to bump into some fans in a hotel in Las Vegas. Tarik Black, Mario Little and I were in leaving the hotel lobby when a family came up to us. They called out to us by name, adding "Rock Chalk."
Even the little things like that mean so much. It's a true blessing to be a part of something bigger than yourself, and that's what Kansas basketball is.
Every year my teammates and I looked forward to going to as many games as we could, especially volleyball and football. Landen Lucas in particular was extremely dedicated. You would find him at every sport, even the swim meets.
Really, it's Kansas Athletics as a whole.
And for me, it was a bit of a different experience. I never went to traditions night, so my first football game was where I became immersed the Jayhawk culture, sitting in Memorial Stadium alongside T-Rob, Jeff Withey and Niko Roberts.
It was in 2011, when we were playing McNeese State. The stadium was pretty packed it was actually my first time ever in a football stadium.
That atmosphere was special.
That atmosphere was special. And it may shock you to hear this, but many of the former and current basketball players will tell you: Not all of our greatest memories and experiences came from the Fieldhouse. It just goes to show how special college is, whether you are the one dribbling the ball or not.
That game against McNeese State was one of those memories for me.
I remember how after the first touchdown, people started waving their hands in the air, and I had no idea what was going on. At that game, I learned all about the football traditions like dangling keys during kickoff and waving the wheat after scores.
In my time at the University, I didn't get to go to as many games as I wanted, but what I did experience will stick with me for life. It's all the little things that truly make college as special as it is, and I want to encourage you to check out all the different teams here. You won't be disappointed.
At KU, everyone is family.
Things are just different here. Even within the programs there's a level of comfort here. It's the things people don't see that really mean the most.
I would go into the office and talk with Coach Self about anything, whether it was basketball-related or something more. Most people can't get that experience from a hall-offame coach and program, but at Kansas, it happens all the time.
The coaches weren't just concerned with us on the court
They'd give us pep talks on our grades; we'd respond by reminding them that we were student-athletes — students first. Really, that term carries some weight.
"It's a true blessing to be a part of something bigger than yourself, and that's what Kansas basketball is."
During classes, I met some of the coolest people I've ever known. To me, the interactions were some of the best parts of college. If after my four years here I could offer one piece of advice to the students, it'd be as simple as this: Be social.
It goes by fast. It certainly did for me.
Senior night ended, I graduated and I was headed to Houston on a plane to begin my career as a professional athlete. It's been about three months since then, but I recently had some time to return to Lawrence.
Being back here was really the first time I felt like, "Wow. I'm really going to miss college."
If you're still in college, be sure to enjoy every bit of it. You'll share a connection that will last the rest of your life with the people you meet. And the choices you make will help build a foundation for how you are going to live your life.
I've loved my first few months in the "real world," and I'm truly excited for the rest of my life. However, what excites me more is that, no matter where I go, Kansas will always be a part of it.
Rock Chalk!
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