Advertisement

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

Soaring senior

Stewart always willing to participate in impromptu dunk drills at camp

By Gary Bedore

Rodrick Stewart moves around some Bill Self basketball campers. Stewart helped on the second day of the second session of the camp Monday in Horejsi Center.

Photo by Richard Gwin

Rodrick Stewart moves around some Bill Self basketball campers. Stewart helped on the second day of the second session of the camp Monday in Horejsi Center.

Advertisement

Rodrick Stewart isn't afraid to attempt slam dunks with high degrees of difficulty.

"I'm the guy on the team who will always try any dunk. Like if a little kid asks me to try a behind-the-back dunk, I'll do it. It's something me and coach Self always joke around about, how I miss a lot of dunks," Stewart, Kansas University's senior guard from Seattle, said with a big grin.

The 6-foot-4 Stewart, who always is willing to put on an impromptu dunk drill for the 8- to 18-year-olds at Bill Self's basketball camps, caught a lob from teammate Mario Chalmers last Wednesday afternoon and did not misfire.

He ripped home a vicious slam to conclude the scoring in a 75-70 victory over KU's alumni team in Allen Fieldhouse.

"It was weird. Me and Mario joked around about it before the game. It was something Mario and B. (Brandon) Rush always did in games," Stewart said. "Every time Mario drives, B. Rush cuts to the hoop (for lobs). B. Rush isn't playing right now, so it's like, 'Let me try it and see what happens.'

"We both looked at each other, made eye contact. He threw it up there, and I got it."

Stewart said he has felt extra bounce since a dramatic weight loss.

"The summer's been going well. I've already lost 15 pounds," reported Stewart, who weighs 203 pounds. "I'm getting quicker and faster. It (loss of weight) helps me elevate. I'm bouncier, more explosive. I always want to jump around. It has helped my game all around."

Stewart said a healthy diet - combined with work in the gym - have helped him take off excess pounds.

photo

Photo by Richard Gwin

Lawrence Journal World

Rodrick Stewart moves around some Bill Self basketball campers. Stewart helped on the second day of the second session of the camp Monday in Horejsi Center.

"Me and Sherron (Collins) work out every day together running and conditioning. We're kind of like workout buddies this summer," Stewart said of he and the 5-11, 197-pound Collins. "It can't hurt me, losing weight. I still have my strength. It always helps to be a little faster, quicker, stronger."

Stewart said he had been preparing hard for his final season of college basketball.

It's likely he'll be counted on heavily - at least in the early going - until Rush returns from right ACL surgery.

"It definitely opens up minutes because he's down. While he's down, we've got to all try to fill in his spot. Everybody has to fill in little pieces," Stewart said of Rush, who figures to return to game action in late November or early December.

Fifth-year senior Stewart, who is taking two classes this summer (Math, African American studies), reports he's on target to graduate in May.

His twin brother, Lodrick Stewart, recently completed his eligibility at Southern Cal, where Rodrick started his career.

Lodrick Stewart has hopes of being selected in the second round of the June 28 NBA draft.

"He definitely has a shot because he is one of the premier shooters in the nation," Rodrick said. "I don't know about his status of being drafted. It's not my decision. I hope he gets drafted because he's my brother. It's everybody's dream to be taken in the draft. I know it's a deep draft. I heard it's one of the deepest ever.

Week two of 'Camp Self' underway

Hundreds of youngsters are in Lawrence this week for Bill Self's basketball camp. It was only a few years ago that current Jayhawks Brady Morningstar and Brennan Bechard were attending the camp ... now they are helping run it.

"It's not end of the world if you don't get drafted. You still can play basketball, continue to get better. He'll do what he has to do to get there."

¢ Osby to MSU: Romero Osby shocked the recruiting world on Monday by orally committing to Mississippi State.

Osby, a 6-8, 230-pound senior-to-be from Northeast Lauderdale High in Meredian, Miss., had been considering Kansas, Louisville, Memphis, Kentucky, Georgia Tech, Texas, Alabama and others.

"It's a situation for me to improve and be an impact player in the SEC. My family is behind my decision, and I want to get the weight off my shoulders. The recruiting process can be a burden," Osby told Rivals.com.

¢ Change of heart: Texas A&M coach Mark Turgeon received an oral commitment on Sunday from Anthony Jones, a 6-9 senior from Yates High in Houston.

On Monday, Jones decommitted. He has a final list of A&M, Baylor and Texas.

"I want to let you know that my son still has his options open. I wasn't there for the interview, and I should have been there," Jones' mother, Dee Curtis, said of a TV interview in Houston in which Anthony pledged to the Aggies. "I'm his mom, and I know he was coerced into committing. I know my son, and I'm sure he just said what he said to get them out of his face."

"I agree with everything my mom just said," Jones told Rivals. com. "I was rushed into committing, and I still want to weigh my options."

More like this

Comments

Nutflush21 (anonymous) says...

Well another one of our top targets is gone... I dont know about other Jayhawk fans, but Im starting to get a little nervous about the '08 recruiting class. That class will determine whether or not we are a top 10 team in 2008 and 2009.

June 19, 2007 at 5:51 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

APDJayhawk (anonymous) says...

We could get our top picks for the 08-09 class and it still wouldn't matter...we would have a great regular season and do great in the Big 12 post-season only to choke in the big dance again! It's been 19 years dude....you aren't used to it yet?

June 19, 2007 at 7:58 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

KUMatt2001 (anonymous) says...

Wow, great attitude...

Who sh*t in your corn flakes this morning?

June 19, 2007 at 8:30 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

dbegert (anonymous) says...

National Championships aren't everything. That said, it's looking pretty good for KU this year.

As for recruits, I'm holding out for Releford, Liggins, Henry, Zeller and Morgan. Get those five and we'll be well on our way to contention again in 09-10.

June 19, 2007 at 8:40 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

jayhawkinlaw (anonymous) says...

Help me out, here. dbegert....
Who's Morgan?

June 19, 2007 at 9:19 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

bmcmich1 (anonymous) says...

National Championships aren't everything?????? C'mon, that sounds exactly like what a fan who hasn't witnessed one in 20 years would say so he can sleep at night. It's a cop-out. I mean, the third winningest program of all time with only TWO championships in the last 55 years? You're only fooling yourself if you are a Kansas fan and truly aren't annoyed with the fact that across the Nation your school is synonymous with 'choke' in March.

Sorry about the negative rant, but sometimes I have to let that out. It feels good to do that every now and then. Keeping that bottled up will just make me insane--seriously I hope I haven't offended anybody but I think more people than me think that from time to time.

June 19, 2007 at 9:22 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

LAJayhawk5 (anonymous) says...

Excellent attitude, APDJayhawk. Sorry, people - have to hand out an off-season SUCK IT for that one!!!!

June 19, 2007 at 9:45 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

bmkjayhawk (anonymous) says...

APD is a hater, plain and simple. I still think we'll get a fine class. And I think the "Morgan" that people are referring to is probably J'Mison Morgan from South Oak Cliff High in Dallas, the same school Darrell Arthur went to. Last I checked, Morgan was the #48 player on rivals.com.

KU is just fine.

June 19, 2007 at 9:53 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

justanotherfan (anonymous) says...

I think Xavier Henry is the key to that class. He seems like the type of guy that can be a playmaker aqt the D-I level.

And remember, there is no guarantee that next year will be a huge exodus year for KU underclassmen. With several top prospects from other schools returning after testing the draft (and several others who did not sign with agents, but remain in), there is no assurance that guys like Sherron, Mario and Darrell will all leave. Right now I would say it's likely that we will lose at least one of them, but probably not all three.

The Osby loss was a little shocking, but apparently he wanted to stay closer to home. I don't necessarily fault a kid for that. I don't know what his personal situation is.

That said, an early commitment can clear the way for some of the other players looking at KU because now they know that KU isn't bringing in that guy at their position.

June 19, 2007 at 10:19 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

milehighhawker (anonymous) says...

Xavier Henry isn't going to be in this next class, he will be 08-09 class. I think the problem with this class is that Self is concentrating so much on the shooting forward position that he neglected the other positions, he thought he had Osby locked up, we all pretty much did because he recruited him the hardest and longest of any of the schools. By the way, i wouldn't pencil in Releford just yet, I hear some news that a school that has been pursuing him is about to offer him a scholarship that he is very interested in.

June 19, 2007 at 11:03 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

kcmostwanted (anonymous) says...

the osby loss sucks.. but yeah i think we should still be okay for the 08 class.. Although the 08 Class seems pretty promising, i honestly think Self and his crew are looking much closer at the 09 class now since we've lost some of our top targets for 08.. Self has to make Xavier Henry a priority so he probably doesn't want to get to many SG and wing players from the 08 class..That being said don't forget that there is still :

Liggins, Releford, Mison, Willie Warren, Greg Monroe, Zeller, McDonald, Darius Miller, possibly Jeff Whitey, Terrace Henry, Andrew Steele

.. go to rivals and just look at the targets for 09.. I think that looks like a promising class too

Getting a class that includes: Liggins, Releford, Zeller, Terrace henry and Andrew Steele wouldn't be too shabby.. But it'd definately look better with Greg Monroe and Willie Warren too...

One last note: What's up with Releford? Like 2 years ago he was rated super high and ever since then the only thing i've seen his rankings do is drop lower and lower?... Has anybody seen him play recently?? I you have can you give us an update on his game???

June 19, 2007 at 11:25 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

justanotherfan (anonymous) says...

I think Releford's fall has more to do with other guys in the class improving their games, growth spurts, etc. than with an actual drop off on his part.

I was talking about Henry for the 08-09 year (not next season). By then the current backcourt will be gone and we will need him in there.

June 19, 2007 at 11:28 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

emeryhawk (anonymous) says...

Shame about Osby. Not completely shocked though. Rivals hinted he might be less high on KU than before. There are still a lot of good players out there, though. Still, it's a little unsettling that we haven't got anyone locked up for that class yet.
Unless he fails to improve at all, Arthur is gone after next season. Hold out hope for Mario and Sherron, because Darrell will be done. Good to hear that Stewart is working hard. He could really contribute next year.

June 19, 2007 at 11:56 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

kufan1975 (anonymous) says...

apd you jackass just shut up....that is all i had to say

June 19, 2007 at 12:14 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jhawkdan42 (anonymous) says...

adp shut the f up!!

June 19, 2007 at 9:11 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jhawkdan42 (anonymous) says...

And yes I know it"s apd I just think your a j-arse and so you will be called adp

June 19, 2007 at 9:15 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

bmkjayhawk (anonymous) says...

Don't forget about Rotnei Clarke for the class of 2008.

With that, welcome to The University of Kansas, Travis Releford.

June 19, 2007 at 10:56 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

APDJayhawk (anonymous) says...

Obviously bmcmich1 is the only realist on this post. Don't you idiots get tired of talking about "what could be" year after year only to be disappointed when KU chokes in the Big Dance. It's all in the numbers...3rd winningest program in history with only 2 National Championships, the last being almost 20 years ago and the only other one coming 36 years before that. At that rate, we only have 17 more years before we get another title and that's only if Larry Brown decides to come back to town in his 80's...

June 20, 2007 at 12:53 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

APDJayhawk (anonymous) says...

Based on the scathing rebuttals from KUMatt2001, LAJayhawk5, bmkjayhawk, kufan1975 and the impressive jhawkdan42 I can only assume they make up the impressive KU Debate team. I understand your die-hard love for the Jayhawks but if you don't agree with my points based on fact, argue facts. But if all you can do is pout and throw a tantrum of words, do yourself a favor and begin your post by acknowledging that I'm right. Douchebags...

June 20, 2007 at 1:04 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

LAJayhawk5 (anonymous) says...

You're not right and you're clearly not a KU fan. Go suck on MU's board, tool.

June 20, 2007 at 8:41 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

Coach_Eric (anonymous) says...

Well stated APD, well stated indeed. "It's impressive to see someone controlled by his emotions."

You're right though: KU is defined by it's (lack of) championships. Too, I never get too caught up in the old recruit hype machine, but it makes for some fun reading. Hopefully the incoming recruits will be able to lead the team to a NCAA Championship.

Regardless of what happens though, it'll be one hulluva fun ride!

June 20, 2007 at 9:55 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

APDJayhawk (anonymous) says...

I'm sure everyone here will agree with me when I say that I can ONLY hope that the mental giant LAJayhawk5 is a fan only and not an alumni...
The struggle that must go on trying to put a sentence together and his infatuation with "sucking"...
Hey LaJayhawk...with all your sucking references, let me know how Self's ass tastes as much as you are sucking it on these boards...

June 20, 2007 at 5:09 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Jacobpaul81 (anonymous) says...

APD,

I honestly hope that you aren't a Kansas alum. I'd hate to be in the same company of someone like you. You're the type of person who belongs over in aggieville.

June 20, 2007 at 5:42 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Jacobpaul81 (anonymous) says...

I'm still struggling with this whole lack of championships concept. What are there, 5 schools with more? Duke, Kentucky, UCLA, Indiana and North Carolina. Im pretty sure im not missing anybody. Of them, since the NCAA tourney was started, each has had most its wins under a single coach: Wooden, Knight, Smith, K, Rupp. Hell, Duke's only got 3.
UNC - 4. 2 of which were defeats of Kansas "back in da day".
Indiana is as far removed from their 5 as Kansas from its 2. And hell, 2 of those 5 came over Kansas.

UCLA is 12 years from their 11th win, and prior to that, it'd been 20 years.

Kentucky is 10 years removed from the last of their 7.

Of the teams tied at 2 with Kansas , most have won theirs since 1988, or not won in a hell of a lot longer than kansas: florida, conneticut, louisville, michigan state, Cincinatti and North Carolina State.

If you can't count, that's 5 of the last 20 championships going to teams tied currently with Kansas. Additionally, 9 of the last 20 championships went to previous zero championship teams! Of those 9: 3 have doubled up, and 1 tripled up (Duke).

So honestly, of the traditional basketball powerhouses, UNC is the only one whose done anything positive since 1988.

So KU hasn't won a championship in 20 years. Only 1 team can win. It's not like there are 1000's of these things to hand out. Likewise, it's not like any of the other historically powerful schools has done anything major, other than UNC's 2 championships.

June 20, 2007 at 6:01 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

APDJayhawk (anonymous) says...

Only one team can win...only one team can win...only one team can win...blah, blah, blah Mr. Obvious. And when you put a Football School like Florida on the floor and a Basketball School like Kansas (you know, the 3rd winningest program in history, consistently recruits top talent, consistently ranked in top 25, consistently wins in post-season conference tournaments), which one should win BACK to BACK N.C.'s?

June 20, 2007 at 11:20 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

ralsterKUMed95 (anonymous) says...

It is easy to feel down as you look back at 20yrs and how close we coulda-shoulda come, but frankly, eventhough we love our players and teams past, I really think the current squad is the most talented and deep one we have had. Yes the LaFrenz/Vaughn team was great, too. It was a stunner that we did not get to the Final4 this particular past season. The NBA plays a 'series' to advance, not just 1 game (and yeah, for $ generation), and still upsets will happen. So anything can happen in 1 game. Us in the Final4 this year "woulda" been a steamroller, including over those girls from FL.
We 'win' the live action game vs Syracuse, but lose the final tally because of the FT shooting...
Gotta play for 60min (we need to rehearse THAT all season), and sometimes in 1 game it is your day & shots fall, other days, not...
Its all I can do as a KU alum/bball freak--analyze it and look to the future. Past is gone. Our time shall come-all we can do is prepare, play, and be positive. I have posted before that like others, I believe the BigXII is especially 'soft' right now, and I dont care to EVER see a walk-on take the floor, I would personally rather see the front 8-9 players rotate the entire game until the final bell, just like in most ACC games where they 'duke it out' against each other all season long in conference play--right before the business in March...Yeah, its a nice dream to wear the KU uniform, but our collective dream of a natl championship is NOT going to become a reality from any contribution from the cold end of the bench. Our main guys have to do it in crunch time as much as humanly possible for college-age kids. I have a sour feeling remembering the 40+ point win over, say, Nebraska in Allen Fieldhouse and all our starters on the bench high-fivin', then what happenned in March. Make them stay out there, tired, shooting FTs, etc. Who cares if we win by 60?--coach just says at the press conf. that he is trying to "make" the players play for 60min and "prepare them for the 60min games in March". NO ONE can argue with that, as a top-tier program, it really is about winning, NOT about playing 'nice'.

June 22, 2007 at 9:41 p.m. ( | suggest removal )