Sports THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Changing up the tune Big 12 shift means fight song needs updating PAGE 28
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 2010
WWW.KANSAN.COM
PAGE 25
NBA DRAFT
Tim Dwyer/KANSAN
Those selected in the NBA Draft pose for a photo opportunity in New York last week. Kansas' Cole Aldrich was picked 11th by the New Orleans Hornets and Xavier Henry went 12th to the Memphis Grizzlies.
Aldrich, Henry go quick
BY TIM DWYER
tdwyer@kansan.com
NEW YORK — Cole Aldrich didn't really fit in New Orleans. The experts never really mentioned Aldrich as an option for the Hornets' first-round pick, even though the team was in the heart of his projected range (about sixth to 15th). New Orleans, after all, has an established veteran at center in former No. 2 overall pick Emeka Okafor.
The Hornets didn't need Aldrich. The Oklahoma City Thunder, on the other hand, did. So the relative surprise at the
pered as, even while Aldrich walked to the stage in a New Orleans hat, ESPN talking heads reported a deal that would send Aldrich back to the Midwest.
Hornets' selection of Aldrich with the 11th pick was quickly tem-
COLE ALDRICH former Kansas forward
"I think he
"I think he will be a game changer for us," said Kevin Durant, the NBA scoring champ and a new teammate of Aldrich's with the Thunder.
While they were a promising young team with superb tal-
"I'm not going to try to go in and do spectacular things, only the things I'm good at."
with superb talent at point guard (Russell Westbrook) and swingman (perennial all-star Durant). The Thunder lacked an elite post. It is, of course, their hope that Aldrich will
fill that role.
"I'm not going to try to go in and do spectacular things," Aldrich said, "only the things I'm
good at. I'm good at rebounding and defending and blocking shots and that's how I'm going to make my presence on the court early is doing those things."
Oklahoma City is already successful in that regard, though. Despite lining up relative unknowns Nenad Krstic and Serge Ibaka at center for the majority of the season, the Thunder led the league in blocked shots and ranked third in rebounding.
"I'm definitely working hard on my offensive game as well," Aldrich said.
SEE DRAFT ON PAGE 26
COMMENTARY
Sherron needs to be like Vaughn
BY JAYSON JENKS jienks@kansan.com
For four years, he captivated Kansas fans with bulldog drives and high-arcing three pointers. He wore his emotions on his sleeve and pumped his chest after big moments.
On Senior Night, he buried his head in coach Bill Self's chest and cried in front of 16,300 people.
Plus, he holds the most wins in Kansas basketball history — a statement that by now certainly gives away the subject of this column.
When Sherron Collins' name went uncalled during last week's NBA Draft, two thoughts crossed my mind.
My immediate reaction dealt almost solely with basketball. If Collins wants to stick in the NBA, he needs to model his game after another former Kansas guard, Jacque Vaughn.
Vaughn, a dynamic passer, had little in common with Collins in terms of their style of play. Collins was a ferocious offensive attacker; Vaughn was a classical passing point guard and distributor.
Yet Vaughn, who is 6-foot-1,
played 776 games for five teams
during his NBA career. He never
averaged more than 6.6 points, never
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SEE JENKS ON PAGE 27