THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2011
Game helps charity, recruiting
PAGE 7
KORY CARPENTER
kcarpenter@kansan.com
For a number of reasons, Saturday's Legends of the Phog alumni game was something Kansas fans won't see very often. Stars of past generations like Darnell Valentine and Ron Kellogg were joined by the likes of Mario Chalmers and Paul Pierce, with coaching legends 'Ted Owens and Larry Brown leading the teams.
The pre-game atmosphere was that of a late February showdown with Kansas State or Missouri, and the roughly two-hour contest ratcheted up the noise with highlight dunks, video montages and speeches from former players.
It was brought to a climax in the waning seconds following the back-to-back three-pointers by Pierce and Chalmers to end the game in a 111-111 tie.
PART OF PROCEEDS TO BE DONATED IN DOUGHERTY FAMILY NAME
Neil Dougherty, an assistant coach at Kansas for seven seasons under Roy Williams, died in July while jogging in Indianapolis. Members of Dougherty's family were honored with a jersey at center court during the game, and Kansas Athletics announced it will donate a portion of Saturday's profits to charities of the family's choice.
He was joined by fellow 2012 recruit Ioannis Papapetrou, a 6-foot-7 forward from the Florida Air Academy in Melbourne, Fla. They were also joined by the current No. 1 player in the class of 2013, Julius Randle, a 6-foot-8 forward from Plano, Texas.
During the game, Pierce took time to address the Allen Fieldhouse crowd on his feelings for Dougherty and his family. Obviously choked up, he called Dougherty a father figure. Deciding to attend school in Kansas wasn't always an easy decision for Pierce, a native of Inglewood, Cal.
In accordance with NCAA rules, coaches aren't allowed to talk about any recruits specifically, but Self said he couldn't imagine they all didn't have a great experience Saturday.
"It was tough leaving my mother," Pierce said after the game. "But him and coach Williams made me feel
comfortable leaving home and going 1000 miles to play basketball.
Pierce called Dougherty a "player's coach" and was emotional during and after the game when discussing his former coach. Dougherty left behind a wife and three children.
Committed recruits Zach Peters, a forward in the 2013 class, and Perry Ellis, forward in the class of 2012, were also in attendance.
EFFECT ON RECRUITING
"When you recruit really good guys, the competition is stiff." Self said after the game. "We may not get them, but I guarantee you we'll give them something to think about."
Edited by Laura Nightengale
Saturday's festivities had a clear effect on nearly everyone in attendance. Bill Self and the coaching staff took advantage of the star-studded event and invited a handful of high recruits to sit behind the bench with their families.
According to scout.com, that list included three undecided players, two in the class of 2012 and one in the class of 2013. Andrew White, a 6-foot-6 senior guard at the Miller School in Charlottesville, Va., has offers from a list of schools. However Kansas was his first official visit.
MIKE GUNNOE/KANSAN
MUSIC BY BLAIRD KARASAN
Xavier Henry (2009-10) flies through the air for a dunk during the second half Saturday. Henry led all of the legends with 23 points in the game.
MIKE GUNNOE/KANSAN
Greg Ostertag (1992-95) makes a big "0" with his arms after being introduced at the Legends of the Phog game Saturday. The game ended in a 111-111 tie.
MIKE GUNNOE/KANSAN
Scot Pollard (1993-97) shows off after dunking the ball during the second half Saturday. Pollard scored eight in the game.
MIKE GUNNOE/KANSAN
Josh Selby (2010-11) makes an acrobatic move in the air as he goes up for a lay up during the second half Saturday. Selby recorded 10 points in the game.
CHRIS BRONSON/KANSAN
Forward Paul Pierce hugs guard Mario Chalmers after both of them hit last-second twirls to end the first Legends of the Phog game in a 111-111 tie. Part of the proceeds went to charity, and the game was played in front of a side-out crowd.
MIKE GUNNOE/KANSAM
MICKE RUBERMAN
Coach Bill Self and Larry Brown share a laugh before the game Saturday at Allen Fieldhouse. The first Legends of the Phog game ended in a 111-111 tie.
MIKE GUNNOE/KANSAN
MIKE GUNNEO/KANKAN Brandon Rush (2005-08) finishes a two-handed dunk during the second half Saturday. Rush finished with 18 points in the game.
1