Sports IMMORTALIZED THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANS
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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3, 2010
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Hawks lose to Razorbacks
ONE MORE TIME
Jayhawks loss attributed to too many critical mistakes. BASEBALL | 7B
SHERRON'S HOME SWEET HOME
PAGE 1B
Weston White/KANSAN FILE PHOTO
Sherron Collins committed to Kansas after one visit and has since helped it win a national championship and guided last season's Jayhawks to the Sweet Sixteen. Collins will play his last game in Lawrence tonight at 7 p.m.
Rediscover Collins' journey from Chicago to the toast of Lawrence
BY COREY THIBODEAUX
cthibodeaux@kansan.com
twitter.com/c_thibodeau
Four years ago, senior guard Sherron Collins didn't know how to speak to a crowd. He didn't care if he graduated. He didn't think he would be emotional about leaving Kansas.
Standing on the podium reflecting on his life and career Monday, Collins didn't stumble on any words. He will be walking down the hill this spring. And he assured his last game at the Fieldhouse would involve tears.
The man who stood at that podium was the result of a tale 23 years in the making.
"It's a pretty remarkable story if you really get down to it," Kansas coach Bill Self said.
Growing up in inner-city Chicago, Collins dealt with an unstable environment. His father spent most of his time in jail. Gang life surrounded his neighborhood and he witnessed his best friend's murder.
Collins had his mother, Stacey Harris, his brother, Steve Collins, and his uncle, Walt Harris, to look for guidance. From an early age, Sherron took up basketball and it kept him safe.
Now Collins is trying to be the role model for those in tough situations, whether that is leading the No.1 team on national television or doing hands-on work off the court.
"It shocked me a lot to see him grow up to what he is." Steve said. "He helps out a lot of kids in the neighborhood. When they see him do what he does, it gives them hope."
Sherron and Steve played basketball at the Boys and Girls Club of Chicago. Sherron would play as much as possible every day. He even sneaked in at times
because he was bored at home.
Collins travels back to the club to inspire kids to follow in his footsteps.
I know a lot of peo Collins said. "I try to show as much support to them as I can too because I know how tough it is coming in with a situation like that."
"I know a lot of people support me,"
But not everyone has the same benefits Collins had as a child.
As he got older, Sherron started opening eyes around the Chicago area. He was a talented pitcher, wide receiver and basketball player. But the court is where he made his mark.
His mother worked two jobs to support him and his brother. Steve helped Sherron as an older figure he could look up to. He showed Sherron how to be tough at young age.
"I was always pushing him," Steve said. "I was better than him. I would bully him then he just worked hard. He got bigger than me and the rest is history."
Basketball kept him out of trouble. Nobody pressured him to participate in a gang. But everyone came to watch, and he earned the respect of the witnesses and
"It's a pretty remarkable story if you really get down to it"
victims of his basketball prowess.
BILL SELF Kansas coach
At Richard T. Crane Tech High School, Collins averaged 33 points, eight rebounds and six assists in his senior season
somebody that was a household name," Collins said. "That's just how it is in Chicago."
"When I was coming up, I had to make me
When Collins came to Kansas, his new life began.
"I was kind of set on coming here already," Collins said. "It was between
SEE COLLINS ON PAGE 8B
KANSAS VS.
KANSAS STATE
WHEN: 7 p.m.
WHERE:
Allen Fieldhouse
WATCH: Big 12
Network (Sunflower
channels 8 and 15)
INSIDE TODAY'S
A TIMELINE OF COLLIN'S CAREER
WHO WILL REPLACE HIM?
GAMEDAY
ANALYSIS
PAGE 12-13
MORE
SENIOR NIGHT
COVERAGE
10B
WHAT'S HIS FUTURE IN THE NBA?
FOUR OF
SHERRON'S
BEST GAMES
See a timeline of Sherron's success at kansan.com/
SPEECH
Collins prepares for his senior night
Sherron Collins isn't going to write down any speeches. And he isn't going to hold back any tears.
BY COREY THIBODEAUX
cthibodeaux@kansan.com
twitter.com/c_thibodeaux
"A waterfall," the senior guard said. "I'm going to cry so much; I'm going to cry like a baby. But it's a happy moment — senior night."
Tonight is the final home game of Collins' college basketball career.
If that doesn't set the stage big enough, the Jayhawks are also playing host to the team challenging them for a share of the Big 12 title, the Kansas State Wildcats.
Steve Collins, Sherron's older brother, hasn't seen a big change in his brother coming into this game — just the continuous pas-
SEE SPEECH ON PAGE 8B
COMMENTARY
Collins must seek balance in roles
Sherron Collins is walking a tight rope, much like an acrobat in Cirque du Soleil. In each of his hands is a single plate spinning on a crimson and blue stick. On top of the plate in his left hand is the destiny of Kansas' team. On the other is his singular role as playsman.
Collins is only going to make it across the tight rope that is the NCAA Basketball Tournament if he molds the two sides of what has made him such a productive and successful player.
BY NICOLAS ROESLER
nroesler@kansan.com
twitter/nroesler8
"If it was a situation now," Collins said of the final play in the 2008 NCAA Championship, "instead of making the pass, Id
be the one taking the shot."
Is it impossible to ask a player of Collins' caliber to play unselfishly, yet still take the important shots when it matters? Some might say yes when they look at the forced three-pointers Collins has needed to take this year — and during his career — to carry Kansas.
But I say no, it's not impossible And for Kansas to make it into April without another loss,
SEE BALANCE ON PAGE 8B