JUNE 29 - JULY 5, 2005
SPORTS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
25
MEN'S BASKETBALL
Ten alumni return for basketball scrimmage
Former Kansas players show up for the second 2005 camp scrimmage
BY ASHLEY MICHAELS
amichaels@kansan.com
KANSAN STAFF WRITER
Ten former Jayhawks made their way back to the University of Kansas for the second camp scrimmage of the 2005 Bill Self Kansas Men's Basketball Camp June 22.
Kerri Henderson/KANSAN
Greg Ostertag, center for the Sacramento Kings, said he was excited to come back and play in the camp scrimmage, but was sure the alumni were "going to get thumped."
Former Jayhawk forward/guard Nick Bradford also attended the scrimmage and was impressed with the players.
"This is probably the best alumni team to play in a camp scrimmage that I have ever seen," Bradford said. "The only one we were missing was Paul Pierce."
Following the game, former Jayhawk forward/guard Nick Bradford said it was always a great experience to come back and see people he hadn't seen in a while and play against the younger guys.
"It is good for the program and good for the kids to see the history Kansas has and how it continues to go on." Bradford said.
The first camp scrimmage produced one alumnus, Bryant Nash. Two of the incoming freshmen, Julian Wright and Mario Chalmers, played in front of their first KU crowd. Word got out that several former players were returning for the second scrimmage and Jayhawk fans flocked to the Horejsi Family Athletic Center close to two hours before the start of the game at 3 p.m.
Incoming freshman guard/forward Micah Downs, Kirkland, Wash., was the only new face in the current players line-up.
The commotion began when former guard Mike Lee ran out and started greeting campers. Following close behind Lee were former center Nick Collison, Kirk Hinrich, Ostertag, Bradford, Drew Gooden, Billy Thomas, Steve Woodbury and Danny Manning. Jacque Vaughn served as honorary coach for the alumni team, while Moulaye Niang coached the current players.
David Losey, St. John resident, said it was fun to see the former players come back.
"Guys like Woodbury and Bradford who haven't made it to the NBA yet, it's always good to see them play," Losey said.
The game started out as Ostertag predicted. The current KU players, in blue shirts, came out strong and the former players, in red shirts, kept turning over the ball. The blue team experienced its biggest lead early in the game when the score reached 13-7. It was neck-and-neck leaving the game tied at halftime, 50-50. Both teams came out the second half and started showing off their skills. There were more dunk attempts and the guys hustled after the ball.
C. J. Giles, freshman center, scrambles to get the ball from Kirk Hinrich, guard for the Chicago Bulls. The rule of the scrimmage was the first team to 100 points won.
A FEW FORMER PLAYERS
- Nick Collison center for the Seattle SuperSonics
- Kirk Hinrich guard for the Chicago Bulls
- Greg Ostertag center for the Sacramento Kings
Billy Thomas guard for the New Jersey Nets
♦ Jacque Vaughn guard for the New Jersey Nets
Nick Bradford forward; international player, signed with France for next season
Steve Woodbury international player
Drew Gooden center for Cleveland Cavaliers
During the second half, 6-foot-11 freshman center Sasha Kaun jumped up in the air for an alley-oop pass, snatched the ball out of the air and slammed it in the hoop over 7-2 Ostertag. The crowd went crazy with cheers and applause.
In the end, the alumni won, 101-92.
Phillip Spencer, 11-year-old Kansas City, Kan., camper was not satisfied with the display.
The pros and the KU people could
Kerri Henderson/KANSAN
Billy Thomas, guard for the New Jersey Nets, runs after Stephen Vinson, junior guard, during the scrimmage June 22. Several former KU Basketball members made the journey to Kansas for this event.
have worked harder to impress us more," Spencer said.
Tyler Leak, 12-year old Kansas City, Mo., camper disagreed and said he liked the game and was excited to see the old players come back.
"I like learning from the players, seeing how they pass the ball," Leak said. "It was cool to see Danny Manning play again."
— Edited by Erin M. Droste
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