KANSAN.COM
RETIRED JERSEYS
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Photo courtesy of University Archives
DARNELL VALENTINE
> WESLEY DOTSON
@WesDotsonUDK
Former guard Dar nell Valentine was one of the most prolific scorers in Kansas basketball
history
He currently ranks sixth all-time in points (1,821) after his four years with the
program, from 1977-81.
Because of his efforts, Valentine earned All-American honors in 1981, as well as a first-team All-Big Eight player in each of his four seasons. He averaged 15.4 points and 3.6 rebounds in his career at Kansas under former coach Ted Owens, including a career-high 16.5 points per game his junior season.
Despite consistently scoring at a high level, Valentine was known for excellence on defense. He is Kansas' all-time leader in steals, with 336.
Guard, 1978-1981 No.14
Valentine's jersey was retired by Kansas on Jan. 1, 2005.
"Darnell was very good offensively," Owens said when Valentine's jersey was retired, according to the Lawrence Journal-World. "But the thing that set him apart ... the whole defense started with him. When the opponent's point guard had trouble penetrating, when teams had trouble running the offense, it was because of Darnell."
The 6-foot-1 guard, who graduated from Wichita Heights High School in
Wichita, led the Jayhawks to a 24-5 overall record in his freshman year, but the team lost to UCLA, 83-76, in the first round.
In his senior year, Valentine led Kansas to a 24-8 overall record, but the Jayhawks were defeated by Wichita State, 66-65, in the Sweet Sixteen.
At the time, Valentine said it was an honor to find out his jersey was being retired.
"It's a culmination of 24 years of everything coming together," Valentine said, according to the Lawrence
Journal-World. "It has to be. In terms of what the University has done for me in my life, preparing me for things I'm doing now ... I wouldn't rank it with my marriage or daughter and family, but it's right up there."
After graduating from Kansas, Valentine was drafted No. 16 overall by the Portland Trail Blazers in the 1981 NBA draft. He averaged 8.7 points, 5.0 assists and 2.1 rebounds in nine NBA seasons with the Trail Blazers, Los Angeles Clippers and Cleveland
Cavaliers.
He briefly served as the Trail Blazers' Director of Player Programs in 2004, after retiring from playing in 1991.
Since 2007, he has worked as a vice president at Precision Castparts, a Fortune 500 manufacturing company in Portland. He works on employee development.
- Edited by Erin Brock
Photo courtesy of University Archives
- JACK NADEAU
@jacknadeauk
Bill Bridges may not be one of the marquee names of the historic Kansas basketball program, but he left his mark in more ways than
most people may
A native of Hobbs, New Mexico, Bridges entered the program as a walk-on following the departure of legend Wilt Chamberlain.
realize.
Bridges only played three seasons due to freshmen eligibility rules in place at the time, but during that
Although he may not be a household name like Chamberlain, his numbers suggest he is one of Kansas' elites.
In his first year with the team, Bridges led Kansas in rebounding and was second in scoring.
span he accumulated a whopping 1,081 rebounds, good for fourth-best in program history.
Bridges received All-Big Eight Conference honors in three consecutive seasons. He was the captain his senior season, when he averaged 16.1 points per game and 14.1 rebounds per game, and was recognized as a first team All-American.
BILL BRIDGES
Forward/Center, 1959-1961 No.32
One of Bridges' greatest accomplishments is being the very first Jayhawk to reach 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds in his career, despite only playing in 78 career games. Only three other players (Danny Manning, Raef LaFrentz and Nick Collison) have reached such a milestone. Bridges' collegiate career rebounding average of 13.9 ranks second in program history, behind Chamberlain.
Following his college career, Bridges started in the American Basketball League, playing for the Kansas City Steers. During his tenure in the ABL, he led the league in rebounding and was named All-ABL before the league folded. He was then selected by the St. Louis Hawks in the third round of the NBA draft.
Standing only 6-foot-6, Bridges was a tremendous athlete and rebounder who went on to have a successful NBA career.
After starting with the Hawks, Bridges also played for the Philadelphia 76ers, the Los Angeles Lakers and
finished with the Golden State Warriors, winning an NBA title with them in 1975.
During his NBA career, Bridges was recognized as an All-Star three times (1967, 1968 and 1970) and All-Defensive Second Team twice (1969 and 1970). He averaged a double-double in nine straight seasons from 1964 to 1973. Bridges would finish his career with 11,012 points and 11,054 rebounds. His double-double average in college (16.1 points per game and 14.1 rebounds per game) and as a pro (11.9 points per
game and 11.9 rebounds per game) are a testament to the consistency Bridges brought to the court.
In recognition of the rebounding talent Bridges possessed during his career, the Bill Bridges Rebounding Award is presented annually to the leading rebounder for Kansas.
Bridges' No. 32 was raised to the rafters on Dec. 9, 2004. He was inducted into the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame in 2016.
- Edited by Erin Brock
One of Bridges' greatest
accomplishments is being the very first Jayhawk to reach 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds in his career, despite only playing in 78 career games.
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