4B = THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
KANSAS BASKETBALL
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 4,2002
Nash welcomes the pressure of new season
By Daniel Berk
dberk@kansan.com
Kansan sportswriter
Junior Bryant Nash is aware of his potential importance.
He knows that if the Kansas men's basketball team wants to get to New Orleans and return to the Final Four, it's going to need him to step up. Nash understands his two years of waiting in the wings are over, and it's his time to shine.
Nash, a 6-foot-6 forward, came to Lawrence three years ago with high hopes. A McDonald's All-American nominee, Nash averaged a double-double his senior year in high school. After averaging 0.9 points a game in his career at Kansas, Nash is eager.
"I welcome the pressure, I
know I have to step up this season," Nash said. "I built a lot of confidence this summer and I am tougher at the heart."
This summer.
Nash spent three weeks travening with the Big 12 All-Star Team, which played six games in Scandinavia. Nash contributed 4.3 points per game and also added 2.3 rebounds while shooting 56 percent from the floor.
Nash played with 11 other players from the Big 12 as the team went 6-0. Nash said the experience helped him in many ways.
"It boosted my confidence a
lot," Nash said. "It proved to me that I can play with the best. There was also a little bit of education mixed in with it and some sight seeing."
After his successful adventure overseas, Nash is ready to show his stuff to the fans in Lawrence. After playing in the post in high school, Nash is adjusting to play on the perimeter.
Not only has Nash been working on his play on the offensive end of the court, he has been working tirelessly on his defense. Nash wants to be a reliable bench player for the Jayhawks this season at both ends of the court.
"I know I need to improve my handles on offense," Nash said. "I also have to stay low on defense. I have been lifting more weights and I think I am a more aggressive
defender."
As if Nash did not have enough to work on this summer, he suffered a wrist injury that put him in a cast and put him on the sidelines for a couple of weeks. However, Nash did not let that stop him. He participated in conditioning with the team.
Nash's athletic abilities can't be questioned. In high school Nash broke his school triple jump record four times. This preseason he recorded the team's second highest vertical leap. However, Nash said his ankle was wrapped and he could jump even higher to beat teammate Keith Langford's vertical leap.
Nash's teammates know what Nash is capable of and are ready for him to step up and fulfill his role as the team's sixth man. A
role that is vital to the Jayhawk's success.
"Bryant Nash is an incredible athlete and has been playing with a lot of confidence out there," sophomore Aaron Miles said. "He has been knocking down his shot and getting a lot of rebounds. Hopefully, he will continue to do that throughout the season."
Nash has not had the easiest road in his career at Kansas, but his perseverance is reflected in his attitude.
"I am not going to give in. I have a love for the game, and that drives me. I have matured as a player and I want to end our season in New Orleans. That is my favorite place to travel." Nash said with a smile on his face.
Edited by Melissa Shuman
BRYANT NASH#33
Junior
Forward
**Height:** 6" ""
**Weight:** 205 lbs.
**Hometown:** Carrollton, Texas
Nash's Career Highs
Points: 8 vs. Pittsburg State 11-28-01
Field Goals: 2 vs. Pittsburg State
11-28-01
Field Goal Attempts: 4 vs.
Kansas State 3-9-01
Rebounds: 6 vs. North Dakota
11-17-00
Three-Point Field Goals: 1, two times
Three-Point Attempts: 1, several times
Free throws: 4 vs. Pittsburg State 11-28-01
Free throw Attempts: 6 vs.
Pittsburg State 11-28-01
Hawkins improves game with help from Hinrich
Assists: 1, several times
Steals: 2 vs. Kansas State 1-27-
01
Blocked Shots: 1, three times Minutes Played: 14, two times
By Kelly McNearney
kmnearney@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
After a year of sitting out, a new and improved Jeff Hawkins has emerged for the Kansas men's basketball team and he can't wait to prove himself.
Last season, as a redshirt freshman, Hawkins was prone to turnovers and fouls during practices, but coach Roy Williams said he noticed a great change in Hawkins.
"I'm really very pleased with what he's done since the end of the season last year," Roy Williams said. "Hopefully he'll be able to come in and do some things that will help us."
Hawkins said he turned the ball over often in practices last year and was too uptight. He said he also made mistakes off the court.
"I missed maybe two classes but I'd sometimes be late to tutoring," Hawkins said. "If you're one minute late, it's more like you' re an hour late. You get a 7 a.m.
Hawkins
for that. I had two. Most freshman have like seven hours of tutoring. I had like 13 because every time I got in trouble they added independent study for me. But this year I won't have any tutors so that must mean I'm doing good."
Hawkins said senior guard Kirk Hinrich inspired him to improve. Hinrich gave Hawkins pep talks and inspired him with his work ethic. Following Hinrich's advice helped Hawkins improve as a player and student.
"I think I'm growing up, getting
a little mature." Hawkins said. "I honestly never saw a player work as hard as Kirk. I just sit back and watch him. Usually in practice I just sit back and I'll be playing defense and I just watch him instead of holding my man because he works too hard."
Hinrich's influence may benefit Hawkins as he gets to play in his first season of Kansas basketball.
Williams said Hawkins had good ball-handling skills and quick feet on defense. He said Hawkins may contribute in more than one spot on the floor.
"Don't be surprised if he doesn't play exclusively at the point," Williams said. "We may play him some at the two (guard)."
Hawkins said he was comfortable at the point and two-guard positions because he played both in high school.
Knowing that positions off the
"If you're one minute late,it's more like you're an hour late. You get a 7 a.m.for that.I had two.Most freshman have like seven hours of tutoring.I had like 13 because every time I got in trouble they added independent study for me."
"We know we're going to have to have some good bench to come off and keep up the intensity of off
Jeff Hawkins Kansas basketball guard
bench are wide open motivated Hawkins. He wants to be the one to replace starters as they get a rest.
the game when two or three of the starters come out," Hawkins said. "That motivates me to work even harder."
Three of the Kansas starters, Hinrich, Keith Langford and Aaron Miles, play at guard. That should give Hawkins an opportunity to see plenty of playing time, especially if those three get into foul trouble.
The year Hawkins spent sitting out of games was difficult for him, but it may give him an advantage over the other freshmen on the team as they compete for playing time.
"I know the system now," Hawkins said. "I know how to get through some of the hard things that they probably won't be able to get through. I have a little more knowledge than them."
Hawkins said he saw coming off the bench as a positive thing.
"When you're coming off the
JEFF HAWKINS-#1
Freshman
Guard
Height: 5-foot-11-inches
Weight: 175 pounds
Hometown: Kansas City, Kan.
bench you get to observe what's going on on the court," Hawkins said. "You know a little bit more, like if you should turn your man more to the left or guard him a little tighter, by watching the game."
Whether he will see playing time, Hawkins said the best part of playing basketball was his teammates.
"Every time you're around this team, you can't do anything but smile and laugh. Even if you're having a bad day, there's always one teammate that can turn a bad day into a good day."
Edited by Lauren Beatty
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