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Monday, November 30, 1987 / University Daily Kansan
SportsMonday
KU Sizzlers
Ron Kelloa
Stephen Wade/KANSAN
Calvin Thompson
Cedric Hunter
Four ex-Jayhawks hope CBA will lead to the NBA
By ANNE LUSCOMBE Associate Sports Editor
The Topeka Sizziers legitimately could be called Kansas' CBA expansion team. At one time, the Sizzlers almost had six former Jayhawks on their roster.
The Sizzlers currently have four former Jayhawks, but what a foursome.
Ron Kellogg, Calvin Thompson and Cedric Hunter — three members of the 1986 Final Four team — have been reunited. Add to them former Kansas and NBA All-Star Jo White, and the roster becomes heavily weighted with Javhawk talent.
The Sizzlers also own the rights to Brian Martin, who played at Kansas three years ago, but is currently playing in Europe. Carl Henry, who left Kansas after 1984 season.
decided not to sign with the team this fall.
Sizzler owner Bernie Glammon insists the KU ties were not the primary motivation in hiring these players.
"No, it really wasn't, but I can't make everybody believe the word is no." Glannon said. "It was total circumstance. The talent was avail-ble. He skilers, and the four played as well as players from ST. John's and Duke.
"It was not a gimmick to get fans, but I certainly admit it helps. But the reverse is true with K-State and Washburn. I would love to have players from those schools, but we just haven't been able to get any. Enough talent comes out of KU that couldn't make it in the NBA, at least on the first try, and so they try here."
This is where the dues are paid, the lessons are learned and the skills are polished. This is also where the waiting starts. The CBA is the stepping stone to the NBA.
"I think it (CBA) is an extension for professional basketball," said Ron Kellogg, who was the sixth leading scorer in KU history. "It's like minor-league球. Sometimes you get drafted by its affiliates like the Lakers, Indiana and Portland and you play here, or these teams can pick players up later.
"This gives you an opportunity to improve on skills and learn your game and get some professional skills. I would rather be here than anywhere else (besides the NBA). Here, everybody is familiar with me, Ced and Calvin. We get a lot of support from the fans. And knowing
that they are still behind you and don't want you giving up, helps you keep faith in yourself."
But the reunion is slightly tainted. Because the Final Four group has only ventured 30 miles from their alma mater and are still together, it is almost too reminiscent of their college days.
"It kind of is in a way (an extension of college)," said Hunter, who is a cookie this season. "After this year, hopefully I won't be here and neither will Ron and Calvin. We want to be in the NBA. We're working really hard to get better at our weaknesses."
Like a minor-league baseball player looking toward major-league baseball, the CBA player has his eyes on the NBA. With expansion teams opening in Charlotte, N.C., Miami and Phoenix, Ariz., more spots will
open on NBA rosters, they're that chance at a shot at the big time.
"It will definitely help," Kellogg said. "That's 48 jobs opening up. Hopefully, if I have a good season, that will definitely help me out."
Hunter is hoping for a glance from. one of the expansion teams if the regular NBA teams don't come knocking.
"I think I'll have a pretty good chance of making a team," he said. "It'll take a lot of hard work. If it happens, it happens."
Europe is another alternative for those just out of reach of the NBA.
Martin is playing with a team in Spain, and although the paycheck is enticing, the small gyms, poor referees and foreign countries are quickly losing all appeal. Glannon would like to see Martin return to the States
and join the Sizzlers.
Hunter got a taste of Euro-ball this summer playing for the Winston's All-Stars, a team composed of U.S. athletes which toured Europe.
"It is a lot more physical, definitely. Especially over in Europe. They'll bang you up and get away with it. It's kind of the same with the CBA. You can do things and not get called for a foul," he said.
"If I played really well this season, and if I thought I had a chance at the NBA and then didn't get in, I'd think about Europe." Hunter said. "If I didn't play real well, then I'd probably stay in the CBA.
"But you got to be at the right place at the right time (for the NBA). You have to be able to fill a need. If there's no need, then you're stuck."
Love for basketball brought Jo Jo White back
By ANNE LUSCOMBE Associate Sports Editor
At an age when most basketball players have hung up their hightops or are at least thinking about retirement, Jo Jo White is starting over.
After a six-year hiatus, White is back playing the sport that was his livelihood for 12 seasons. He spent nine years with the Boston Celtics after being their first-round draft choice out of Kansas in 1969. The Celtics have retired his number 10 jersey. White moved on to the Golden State Warriors for two seasons and then played his final season with the Kansas City Kings.
White was offered a chance to try out with the Topeka Stollers after his performance on September 20 in the Kansas-Kansas State All-Star Alumni game.
Sizzler owner Bernie Glannon insisted the offer was not a gimmick to fill seats in Topeka's Landon Arena. He was impressed by White and thought his team could use a guard like White.
"There is, with justification, a certain number of people that think this was a gimmick," Glannon said. "I mean, here's a guy that's 41 trying to get back into professional basketball. But Jo Jo's been playing great. He has experience, talent and drive."
White said money was hardly his incentive to return to basketball. White returned because he missed it.
"I've always played simply because I love the game," he said. "I'm not motivated by money. That's not why I returned. It was that once I was out of basketball it was like something had been taken away from
me."
No longer is White playing seasoned veterans. He is battling young men who are fiercely competitive, trying to get that needed break to get them to the NBA. Most are almost half his age.
"I never look at it as a problem." White said of the age difference. "Experience has to count for something. They have foot speed, they're fast, and they push me. I but have the experience they don't. I know where to run on the court and how to do things they are still learning."
Still, White was reminded of his age when he began training. The muscles with the years of experience hurt. He was tired and sore and wondering if he was crazy to attempt a comeback.
White is not looking at this newfound opportunity as the beginning of a second career; rather, it is a chance for him to do what makes him the happiest.
"It's an opportunity to play again, and the Sizziers gave me that opportunity," he said. "If I had not felt in the position to take advantage of this, I never would have. My foot has healed since my operation. Now I can run, and I'm in good shape. I haven't had any of my skills. It was just something I wanted to do for myself. I'm not trying to prove anything to anyone."
White hasn't discarded the thought of someday returning to the NBA.
"If I get the opportunity, I'm going to take a look at it and decide then." White said. "If not, Jo Jo White won't be disappointed."
Jo Jo White
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