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NEWS / WEDNESDAY, JULY 14, 2010 / THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN / KANSAN.COM
STUCKEY (CONTINUED FROM 25)
But it is surprising to see him in San Diego. Out of all the teams that called before the draft, Bowen
doesn't remember the Chargers being one of them, even though four other teams seemed ready to take him.
But despite the transition from a 3-4 to a 4-3, Bowen learned
ball camps. And whether he's giving back to the community, giving an interview or just doing what his team asks, he is giving it his all.
"If you aren't going to do something wholeheartedly, don't."
the Chargers do play a style of defense similar to how the Jayhawks did last season.
"A lot of the stuff will be carry over for Darrell," Bowen said.
DARRELL STUCKEY Former Kansas safety
Stuckey was known at Kansas for his involvement in youth groups and the Student Senate on campus along with his leadership in a tumultuous year for Kansas football. Much of that, it seems, has traveled with him to San Diego.
"If you aren't going to do something wholeheartedly, don't," Stuckey said.
He goes to practice and does everything he can for the team, but Stuckey said
it hasn't hit him yet that he's in the NFL. He said it will probably hit him early on during the season.
The San Diego Chargers play the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday
"This is what you wanted to become, and all you can do is cherish it and not take it for granted."
DARRELL STUCKEY Former Kansas safety
Already, Stuckey said he is involved in his new community, helping foster homes and basket-
Night Football September 13,
at Arrowhead Stadium's season opener.
To play in his hometown the first game of the season in that atmosphere, he said, is like a gift from God.
"This is what you wanted to become," Stuckey said. "And all you can do is cherish it and not take it for granted."
NBA
Cole Aldrich sticks to defense in Oklahoma
ASSOCIATED PRESS
OKLAHOMA CITY — Cole Aldrich says defense always has come naturally, probably because
he almost always bigger than everyone else on the basketball court.
The 6-foot-11 Aldrich went on to become one of the greatest shot-blockers ever at Kansas,
Aldrich
and just because he's in the NBA now doesn't mean he won't keep focusing on what got him there.
"Defensively is, I think, really where I'm going to make an impact," Aldrich said Monday.
The Thunder acquired Aldrich, the No. 11 overall pick in the NBA draft, and veteran forward Morris Peterson from the New Orleans Hornets in exchange to the draft rights to Craig Brackins and Quincy Pondexter. In making the trade,
Oklahoma City added a player with a defense-first approach, something general manager Sam Presti said can be rare among rookies.
"Cole really shares the same mentality and approach that we try to embody with our team," Presti said. "He's another hardworking, high-character player."
Thunder coach Scott Brooks listed Aldrich's positives: "Defense, protects the basket, rebounds, sets great screens. He's a great outlet passer."
Notice Brooks didn't say scoring. On a team that already includes the NBA's reigning scoring leader in Kevin Durant and other players capable of big offensive games, "we're not looking for him to come in here and be a big-time scorer," Brooks said.
Aldrich grew up in Bloomington, Minn., as a Minnesota Timberwolves fan. And defense was an early love.
"I was, I wouldn't say a bully on the court, but I was bigger than everybody so I just loved to block shots and rebound," he said. "If somebody comes in the lane, I don't want them to score. I take real pride in blocking the shot or altering the shot or (making opponents) pass it out. I've always liked to think that the paint is kind of my home and I don't want anybody coming in my home."
to Northern Iowa in the same Oklahoma City arena where Aldrich now will play as a pro.
Another Kansas product, veteran Nick Collison, provides front-line depth and the Thunder also has been developing a 2009 first-round draft pick, Byron Mullens. At small forward, Jeff Green is entrenched as a starter.
The Thunder's frontcourt, thin when the franchise arrived from Seattle before the 2008-09 season, has become crowded. Nenad Krctic started last season and rookie Serge Ibaka saw his playing time dramatically increase as the season wore on.
Aldrich finished his Kansas career with 253 blocks, five shy of the school record held by Greg Ostertag.
As a sophomore at Kansas, he averaged 14.9 points and 11.1 rebounds per game and recorded the first official triple-double in the history of the Jayhawks' storied program with 13 points, 20 rebounds and 10 blocked shots in a NCAA tournament game against Dayton.
Brooks said he prefers a nine-man rotation and everyone in that rotation is returning next season from a team that went 50-32 and pushed the eventual NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers to six games in the playoffs. That means significant playing time for Aldrich is not guaranteed.
Last season as a junior, he set a school record with 125 blocked shots and was named the Big 12 Conference's top defensive player. Favored to make the Final Four, Kansas lost a second-round game
"It's going to be tough," Aldrich said. "They just don't hand out anything. That's been my whole life. I've had to work for everything. I'm just excited to go against those guys and compete with them."
Whether he's playing a lot or a little, Aldrich is guaranteed $1,772,000 as a rookie salary as the overall No. 11 pick. Brooks had some advice for his newest center if he wants to get on the floor quickly.
"Being a bully is not bad," Brooks said. "Minutes? Who knows. I met the guy four days ago. We'll have to see how he continues to get better the rest of the summer and training camp. I know our guys are going to be ready to compete and he's going to be in there competing with them."