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MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2011
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
LEGENDS of the PHG
KANSAS BASKETBALL
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN SPECIAL SERIES
Sept. 12: Larry Brown, Ted Owens Sept. 13: Greg Ostertag, Scot Pollard Sept. 14: Nick Bradford, Jeff Graves, Jeff Hawkins, Ron Kellogg, Ryan Robertson, Billy Thomas Sept. 15: Xavier Henry, Josh Selby Sept. 16: Wayne Simien, Darnell Valentine Today: Darrell Arthur, Darnell Jackson, Julian Wright Tomorrow: Cole Aldrich, Nick Collison Wednesday: Marcus and Markieff Morris Sept. 22: Mario Chalmers, Brandon Rush Sept. 23: Paul Pierce
LEGENDS OF THE RIM
MAX ROTHMAN
mrothman@kansan.com
KANSAN FILE PHOTO
Darrell Arthur AT KANSAS YEARS: 2006-2008
To some, it came as a bit of a surprise when "Shady" opted for Kansas. Sasha Kaun and Darnell Jackson already formed the front-court and Arthur was a top recruit eyeing startings at Indiana, Baylor, Texas and LSU. But coach Belf Self lured him and Arthur's talents weren't hidden by a role off the bench. On Thanksgiving in 2004, Kansas beat Florida 82-80 in Gainesville. Arthur recorded 19 points and nine rebounds in just 16 minutes played, mostly against Al Horford, now an All-Star with the Atlanta Hawks.
ACCOLADES
- National Champion (2008)
* First Team Big 12 (2008)
* All-Freshman Big 12 (2006-07)
* Big 12 Champion (2007, 2008)
ON TO THE NBA
Arthur left Kansas after the championship season, and was the 27th overall pick in the 2008 NBA draft. He was traded three times before landing with the Memphis Grizzles and was a key part to this past season's surprise Grizzlies team that beat the San Antonio Spurs in the first round of the playoffs.
With 11 seconds left in overtime of the 2008 title game against Memphis, Arthur grabbed the rebound and tossed the ball to Sherron Collins, who dribbled the seconds away with his right pointer finger holding a one. When thinking of the championship team, Arthur's name is often overshadowed by Mario Chalmers and Brandon Rush. But with his consistent mid-range jump shot, powerful and creative moves near the rim, and knack for rebounding and blocking shots, Arthur was just as important to cutting down the nets as the rest of them.
DEFINING MOMENT
KANSAN FILE PHOTO
Darnell Jackson
AT KANSAS
YEARS: 2005-2008
Jackson was made for the dirty work, scrapping inside for rebounds and high-percentage shots near the hoop. He led the title team with 267 rebounds and started the last 35 games of that season. He was a top reserve before he earned his starting role, and was a fan favorite for his tireless play.
ACCOLADES
ACCOLADES
• National Champion (2008)
• Big 12 Champion (2005-2008)
• Top rebounder on championship team
ON TO THE NBA
Jackson was the 22nd pick in the second round of the 2008 NBA draft. He spent his first two seasons in the league with the Cleveland Cavaliers, but had to watch Lebron James from the sidelines as he sat most of those seasons on the bench. Jackson is currently a forward for the Sacramento Kings, a team with financial woes that may move to Anaheim. He played 8.2 minutes and scored 3.2 points per game in 59 games with the Kings last season.
DEFINING MOMENT
No. 2 Kansas rolled into Colorado on Feb. 2, 2008 fresh off the season's first loss at the hands of Michael Beasley and Kansas State. They were 21-1 with eyes on a championship in April, and quite possibly overlooking a matchup with the Buffaloes. After a slow start, the layawhacks headed into halftime tied 30-30 and at risk of losing two straight. Colorado's Richard Roby scored 22 points, but it was Jackson who led his team to victory, sinking all 10 of his free throw attempts.
KANSAN FILE PHOTO
Julian Wright AT KANSAS YEARS: 2005-2007
Wright was a mismatch for any opponent, able to play inside with the bigger forwards or step outside against swingmen and guards. He used his length and athletic ability as a defender to irritate ball handlers and sky for rebounds. As a scorer he made plays from anywhere on the floor, and served as a valuable offensive spark from multiple positions.
ACCOLADES
• Big 12 Champion (2006, 2007)
• Third team All-American (2006-2007)
• All-Freshman Big 12 (2005-2006)
• Second in the Big 12 with a .549 field goal percentage (2006-
ACCOLADES
2007)
- Second in the Big 12 with 298 rebounds (2006-2007)
* Sixth in the Big 12 with 55 steals (2006-2007)
* Eighth in the Big 12 with 1.3 blocks per game (2005-2006, 2006-2007)
- Ninth in the Big 12 with 1.4 steals per game (2006-2007)
ON TO THE NBA
The New Orleans Hornets selected Wright with the 13th overall pick in the 2007 NBA draft. After years of filling up the highlight reels at Kansas, hopes were high for the lanky forward. But he spent three rocky seasons with the Hornets before he was traded to the Toronto Raptors for Marco Belinelli in August 2010. In his four seasons in the NBA, he has never averaged more than 4.4 points or 2.9 rebounds per game.
DEFINING MOMENT
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There were few things more exhilarating than watching Wright dunk the basketball. The 360 degree slam in the closing seconds of the 2006 Big 12 championship kicked Longhorn fans to the road. The two hander against Florida inspired Dick Vitale to call him "jammin' Julian." The dunk on top of monstrous Missouri center Kalen Grimes in Columbia was something for Jayhawk fans to savor.
SOURCES: ESPN.COM KUATHLETICS.COM, BASKETBALL-REFERENCE.COM, SPORTS-REFERENCE.COM