THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
TUESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2011
MEN'S BASKETBALL
PAGE 7A
Morningstar to play for pro team in Greece
MIKE GUNNOE/KANSAN
Brady Morningstar (middle, with ball) wrestles for possession during the championship game of the Big 12 tournament in March. Morningstar, a native of Lawrence and a member of Kansas' 2008 national championship team, agreed to a one-year deal with Greek team A.G.O. Rethymno.
KORY CARPENTER
kcarpenter@kansan.com
After much speculation, former Kansas guard Brady Morningstar has agreed to a one-year deal with A.G.O. Rethymno of Greece's top professional league. A Lawrence native, Morningstar played five seasons for Kansas and was part of five Big 12 regular season titles, three Elight Eights, and a national championship.
"It's time for me to start a new career," he told ShayWildeboor of JayahawkSlant.com. "I get my physical a day or two after I get there and then I've been told practice starts up."
Without ever having been to Greece, Morningstar sought advice from another former Jayhawk who has made a living playing in Europe.
"I talked to Aaron Miles quite a bit about the whole experience," he said. After graduating in 2005, Miles has played for teams in France, Spain, and most recently, Greece. "Like he told me, you've just got to keep your head to the grind and make sure you're doing the right things to help your team out."
Helping his team out was something Morningstar specialized in at Kansas, often guarding the opposing team's best perimeter player, earning his spot on the All-Big 12 defensive team last season.
Averaging 27 minutes and 7.3 points per game as a senior in 2010- 2011, Morningstar appeared in all 38 games and started in 25.
The island of Crete in Greece is a 16-hour flight from his hometown of Lawrence and a far cry from Massachusetts Street. Aside from the unfamiliar country and long distance, Morningstar will also deal with the language barrier, as only one teammate hails from the United States.
He added that the move to Greece will be a great opportunity and everyone around him has been extremely supportive of his decision.
"I am a little nervous about the move," Morningstar said. "It's my first time to Greece, so I'm as excited as I can be, but I'm also sad to leave some of the people that I love so much."
"Coach Self is also excited for me," he said. "I was in the gym the other day, and he came out on the balcony and we talked. I love Coach Self to death, and he thinks it's a good opportunity for me to go over there and play."
The deal with Rethymno comes after a handful of NBA workouts this spring and no offers after going undrafted in the annual NBA draft. Terms of the one-year deal were undisclosed. Morningstar departs on Saturday.
Lewis
Deshaun Sands: He rushed for 211 yards and one touchdown on 55 carries in 2010. He is the son of former KU running back and single-game rushing leader Tony Sands. With so many backs and only so many carries to go around, Sands will have to improve on his 3.8 yards per carry average to earn more playing time. Sands was arrested on Saturday for missing a court date.
BACKS FROM 110
Sands
Edited by Sarah Champ
Rell Lewis: The lone upperclassman in the KU backfield, Lewis missed last season after suffering a leg injury in August. Lewis has only accumulated 15 touches in his time at Kansas, rushing 13 times for 72 yards and catching two passes for 40 yards, all in the 2009 season. Lewis is experienced on special teams, so he could contribute in that aspect.
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Building on a year of success
The club crew team is looking to get exposure and attract new members. They will hold their first annual open boathouse this Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m., where visitors will be able to tour the new $6 million facility and meet rowers and coaches.
reby@kansan.com
"We're looking for a huge influx of novices on the team this year and we want to continue our success with these new players," said Kate Marples, a first-year law student from Dodge City.
Marples teamed with Cassie Johnson, a senior from Overland Park, to take home their second gold medal in the pairs competition at the American Collegiate Rowing Association National Championship in Gainesville, Ga., last May.
Last season the lajayhaws crew team finished in the top three at nationals for the fourth straight year.
"It was our last collegiate race and we won a national championship," Johnson said. "It was pretty special."
Johnson and Marples are now assistant coaches and are looking to lead this team to similar success with new players that will enter the
RYAN EBY
CLUB CREW
program.
The Athletics Department at the University of Kansas does not offer a men's crew team, so the co-eled club team offers this opportunity to the men at the University. Experience is not necessary to join.
"Ninety percent of collegiate rowers don't row before college," Struemmh said.
"Most guys at KU don't even know that they have the opportunity to row," coach Jeremy Struemph. said
The club crew team's opponents last year included Harvard, Duke
"If we have young adults who are willing to work hard and have fun," Struemph said, "we will go fast."
Edited by Laura Nightengale
and Princeton. This year the team will travel to Boston, Tennessee and Louisiana for a spring break training trip. Georgia will again host the national championships. Struemph is excited about the upcoming year and believes with the right rowers and work ethic there is no limit to what this team can do.
SANDS FROM 110
Sands' arrest since his June court date, leading to his arrest. On Saturday night, officers were called to the same apartment complex for a loud music complaint. They made contact with Sands and subsequently arrested him on the warrant.
Sands has been in trouble with the law before, including an October 2010 arrest for failing to appear in municipal traffic court.
Associate athletic director Jim Mar-
Sands posted a $203 cash bond after his arrest and will appear in Lawrence Municipal Court Aug. 30.
chiony told the Lawrence Journal-World that coach Turner Gill is still gathering information regarding Sands' weekend arrest.
"As soon as he is sure of the facts, he will have something to say," Marchiony said to the Lawrence Journal-World.
— Edited by Sarah Champ
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