THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14. 2011
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
PAGE 7
Lone senior veteran vies for team success
MIKE GUNNOE/KANSAN FILE PHOTO
Senior forward Aishah Sutherland attempts a shot against Texas. Sutherland leads the team as the only senior this year.
mvernon@kansan.com
Kansas women's basketball senior forward Aishah Sutherland has always been alone. On a team comprised of five freshmen, three sophomores and three juntors, Sutherland is preparing to lead the team as the only senior.
"I have always been alone," Sutherland said. "I am used to it now."
Sutherland has impacted all the underclassmen, but has forged a special bond with sophomore forward Tania Jackson.
"I am gonna get teary-eyed." Jackson said. "She is like my big sister, I love that girl to death."
Though Sutherland was not named as a captain this season, she has an important leadership position. Assistant coach Tory Verdi works with Sutherland in the post and knows about her contributions to the team.
"She knows the expectations," Verdi said. "She could tell them before we start a drill what is going on."
Verdi said the staff preaches the importance of leadership for each player on the team.
"I lead by example and people will look up to me just because I have been in this program for so long." Sutherland said.
Whatever the issue may be, Jackson said she seeks out Sutherland.
"When you go to that person and you need someone to talk to, I go to Aishah," Jackson said.
Sutherland has accepted her role as the veteran and is focused on becoming a leader for the younger players on the team.
"I need to make sure that I don't do stuff that is not showing that I have matured in this program or that I don't know what to do," Sutherland said.
After starting in 22 of 34 games last year and all games the year before, Sutherland has become a staple on the court for the fayhawks.
"When she makes a move, it glows and everyone notices it," Jackson said. "The hard work she does is contagious."
That hard work is what makes Sutherland confident that this will be the year that Kansas makes it back to the NCAA Tournament after four straight appearances in the WNIT.
"We are going to make it to
Sutherland is looking toward the WNBA draft after this season or international play as a backup plan which makes this year's potential success a high priority for her.
the tournament as long as I do what I need to do, play the game that I am capable of playing," Sutherland said.
"I am banking on us doing well this season," Sutherland said. "This is my last chance."
— Edited by Jonathan Shorman
Transfer excited for season
MEN'S BASKETBALL
KORY CARPENTER
kcarpenter@kansan.com
Kevin Young is long way from home. The 6-foot-8, 215 pound forward grew up in Riverside, Calif., and began his collegiate career at Loyola Marymount in Los Angeles before transferring to Kansas in
June. Leaving family and the West Coast wasn't easy at first, though.
"It was going to be my first time away from California so it
Young
was kind of tough." Young said. "But they understood it was a better opportunity for me."
One of those opportunities is working with a coach like Danny Manning, who has coached numerous NBA post men since becoming a full-time assistant in 2007.
"It's pretty fun," Young said of working with Manning. "We started individuals and it's a lot different than the past workouts I've had, but it's pretty good."
Young played two seasons at Loyola Marymount. He set freshman school records in 2008-2009 for blocked shots, steals and rebounds while averaging 7.2 points per game. He averaged more than 10 points per game his sophomore
year, and sat out last season to focus on academics. He attended Barstow Community College in Barstow, Calif., and earned his associate's degree before committing to play for the San Diego State Aztecs this season. Young then de-committed from the Aztecs and visited Kansas in June, committing to Bill Self and the Jayhawks shortly after. Young said he loved the coaching staff at Kansas.
"They're all great guys," he said.
"They have a lot of basketball knowledge so I can pick their brains."
Coaches aren't the only ones doling out advice to Young. The NBA lockout has brought many former players back to Lawrence to work out and spend time while the league and its players come to an agreement. The opportunity to work with those guys and gather information hasn't been lost on Young.
"It's cool to talk to them, to see what it's like from their perspective to get to the league and the obstacles they overcame," he said. "It's pretty cool because everyone has their own story."
He singled out the Morris twins, who were drafted 13th and 14th in June's NBA draft, as guys who have helped him the most on the court so far.
"Kevin doesn't exactly play the same position as the twins," senior guard Tyshawn Taylor said. "But they talk a lot of trash, and Kevin is really competitive, so it's fun."
Taylor added that Young's work ethic and drive are top notch, and his defensive presence would "help the team tremendously" in 2011.
Taylor is ready for the season opener, but it's not just the first game he's looking forward to.
Alcohol / Drug Information School 8 hour class
"I've heard it's going to snow a lot." Young said.
$80 fee
FOR DATES & TO REGISTER CALL:
Heartland Clinical Consultants | 544 Columbia Drive
Off the court, teammates have told Young stories of Allen Fieldhouse. The history, the fans and the ghosts of the Phog who are said to have helped the home team in times of need.
That will happen next month during the annual Late Night in the Phog. Until then, Young will enjoy the recent good weather that he said reminds him of home. He isn't getting too comfortable, though.
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Lawrence, KS 68042
Edited by Jason Bennett
"From the first one to the last one" Young said. "I just can't wait. I've sat out a whole year so I'm just anxious to get back on the court."
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Engineering & Computer Science CAREER FAIR
12:00 PM-5:00 PM
Wednesday, September 14,2011
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