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Former Kansas University player Kenny Gregory, right, as a member of Efes Pilsen (Turkey), takes a shot over former Iowa State standout Marcus Fizer of Maccabi Tel Aviv in this November 2007 file photo in Tel Aviv, Israel. Gregory has played the last two basketball seasons in Greece after stops in England, Italy, France, Spain and Turkey.
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Darko Vojinovic/AP File Photo
Kenny Gregory, left, formerly of Efes Pilsen, duels for the ball with Dejan Borovnjak of Partizan Igokea in this file photo of Euroleague action from Feb. 28, 2008, in Belgrade, Serbia.
Journal-World File Photo
Kenny Gregory throws down a dunk against Kansas State in this 2001 file photo at Kemper Arena in Kansas City, Mo. Gregory was known for his ferocious slams during his time at Kansas.
One of the top players in Columbus, Ohio, high school basketball history, sky-walking Kenny Gregory flies under the radar these days.
“I’m the answer to a ‘What ever happened to this guy?’ question,’’ Gregory, Kansas University’s 15th-leading basketball scorer of all-time, said Sunday in a phone interview from his hometown, where he’s spent the summer visiting relatives.
“People say, ‘What’s this guy been doing? He had a lot of talent.’ I kind of enjoy that. I like being a mystery,” Gregory added, laughing.
The 31-year old shooting guard/small forward hasn’t fallen off the map since graduating from KU in 2001.
He’s traversed it.
Gregory has played the last two seasons in Greece after stops in England, Italy, France, Spain and Turkey.
“I’ve been doing the overseas hustle,” said Gregory, who abandoned the NBA dream early.
Ignored in the 2001 NBA Draft, the 6-foot-6, 220-pounder spent one season with the Greenville Groove of the NBA’s Developmental League. After failing to land a guaranteed NBA contract, he elected to head overseas, where top players make between $200,000 and $600,000 per season.
“Most people don’t realize ... there’s a misconception,” Gregory said of players being able to make a good living outside of the NBA. “Earlier in my career, guys who played overseas were not talked about in the States at all. It was like, ‘These guys are not good enough to play in the NBA and are in some rec league over there.’
“Now with the NBA drafting European guys and guys like Josh Childress going there and making $6-7 million a year, it’s more commercial and well-known now.
“It’s a good living. You sacrifice a lot being away from your family eight months a year, but it’s worth it.”
Gregory, who is single, said he plans on playing at least three more years.
He remains a hot commodity — Spain is a possibility for the upcoming season — after averaging 14.5 points and 4.5 rebounds a game for P.A.O.K., a team based in Thessaloniki, Greece.
A fan favorite because of his dunking ability, Gregory hit 55 percent of his shots during the 2009-10 season.
“Luckily that’s something I’ve not lost yet,” Gregory said of his hops. “I’ve got maybe two or three more years to do that pretty well. I think last year I had the most dunks I’ve had in a few years. With my knees feeling better, it’s one thing I can still do.”
Gregory had his share of highlight-reel dunks in a KU career that included one Big 12 championship and two runner-up finishes, but no trips to the Final Four.
“I was part of not rebuilding — because we don’t do that at KU — but a transitional period,” said Gregory, whose teammates included Paul Pierce, Drew Gooden, Kirk Hinrich, Nick Collison and Raef LaFrentz. “We didn’t make deep runs in the tournament in my four years,” added Gregory, who never advanced past the Sweet 16.
“I know we made it right after I left (two straight Final Fours), so hopefully we had something to do with that. At least I hope so.”
There’s been a lingering misconception Gregory was more than willing to clear up.
It’s been speculated he was disgruntled at times during his four-year KU career.
“Not disgruntled, maybe frustrated at times. Maybe the style of play didn’t always fit me,” Gregory said. “I was more disgruntled after I left,” he added, chuckling, “because after I left they were running and gunning. The last two years we always talked about opening it up more.
“The year after I left, I was in the D-League, watching games on TV and they were taking pull-up jumpers in transition.”
As he wanted to do in a KU uniform.
“Even with some bad times, I learned something — not just basketball-wise but about life and dealing with people and how they are. To look back on it, I would not change anything. I was happy then. I’m happy now. It was a short period of my life and a good experience regardless.”
Gregory was thrilled to see KU win it all in 2008.
“I won my Final Four pool overseas,” Gregory said. “I’ve got buddies who played at Ohio State who are like, ‘Kansas under Roy Williams should have won four or five championships with the teams he had.’ It seems like we were always the school disappointed at the end.
“You’ve got to be lucky to get one,” Gregory added of a national title. “To win six (games) in a row? C’mon. You have to be good and have some luck, too. It was great to see KU get one (in 2008).”
Gregory has actually been back in Lawrence just once since his senior year — last month for former KU guard Aaron Miles’ wedding. While in town, Gregory was able to reconnect with two of the former Jayhawks he corresponds with the most — Terry Nooner and Nick Bradford — as well as Gooden and Collison.
“I’m not sure,” Gregory said of why he hadn’t returned in so long.
“I think for me, maybe because of the expectation levels ... before I even got there, they were so high, maybe I feel I didn’t live up to them in people’s eyes.
“I still love KU. I’m not sure what the fans think. I hope there’s no hard feelings.”
Gregory certainly gave the fans — and his teammates — their share of thrills, many watching his trademark dunks.
“Kenny Gregory is probably the most explosive jumper I’ve ever seen. I’d put him with Vince Carter and Kobe Bryant. Kenny is right at that level,” said former KU center Eric Chenowith, who played with Gregory for four years at KU.
“He’s that explosive of a leaper. When Kenny jumped, it was forceful, strong, powerful. It wasn’t like he was floating. When he jumped, he jumped with a purpose,” added Chenowith, an assistant coach at Villa Park (Calif.) High School.
Gregory, who also was known for his shaved head and infectious smile, is one teammate Chenowith will never forget.
“Whenever people ask me who I played at Kansas with, the first person I say is Kenny Gregory,” Chenowith said. “I played with Paul, Raef and Drew, but the first person I say is Kenny. He was fairly quiet, but once you got to know him, he had a real funny side that I had the pleasure of getting to know. He was just an all-around, good person.”
Gregory is looking forward to his next trip back to town — one three or four years from now during basketball season.
“I would like to experience the fieldhouse in an actual game one more time,” said Gregory, hoping to run his own business in a yet-to-be-determined field after retiring from the game.
“It was always a great feeling to come out of the (northwest) tunnel onto the court. I always was appreciative that I had the opportunity to do that. I’d like to do that again.”
Behind the Lens: Game Over April 19, 2012
Jeff Withey says he considered leaving early April 9, 2012
Final thoughts following KU's run to national championship game April 3, 2012
Elijah Johnson and Tyshawn Taylor post-game interviews April 3, 2012
Tyshawn Taylor and Thomas Robinson: Linked through their KU careers April 2, 2012
Comments
DSommersby (anonymous) says…
Great to hear from Kenny G! Loved that guy, and happy to hear he is doing well.
Hawksboy88 (anonymous) says…
Kenny G. You were my favorite player to watch. And you showed me my first 360 dunk. Man you could fly. And apparently still can. Best of luck K.G.
KEITHMILES05 (anonymous) says…
Too bad he feels he may have let people down. That most certainly isn't the feeling I have and I've never heard others say that. He's truly a great guy and would like to see him return more often.
KoolKeithFreeze (anonymous) says…
Kenny Gregory is definitely one of my many favorite Jayhawks. I have lots of favorites who never won rings, or who never went to Final Fours. In the end, basketball is a form of entertainment. Recreational entertainment in parks and gymnasiums across the land, and visual entertainment for audiences of 16,300 some odd people, and millions more on TV. I happen to remember Kenny Gregory being a very entertaining player.
Aligned (anonymous) says…
Very enjoyable story Gary. I think one very interesting point that might have been included though is just how high Kenny can jump. For instance, that he holds the all-time record for the vertical leap test in the NBA draft, and very few athletes have equaled his leaps in any sports. Unbelievable!
rank Athlete: Sport Vertical Leap: notes
1 Gerald Sensabaugh Football (NFL) 46" (117 cm) all time top score from the NFL Combine
2 Derek Wake Football (NFL) 45.5" (115.5 cm) 2005 NFL combine (OLB), Penn State.
3 Kenny Gregory Basketball 45.5" from 2001, best overall from the NBA Draft
4 Chris McKenzie Football (NFL) 45" (114.5 cm) (CB), Arizona State - 2005 NFL Combine
5 Washington, Donald Football (NFL) 45" (114.5 cm) 2009 NFL Combine
6 Chris Chambers Football (NFL) 45" (WR), Wisconsin - 2001 NFL Combine
7 A.J. Jefferson Football (nfl) 44" 2010 nfl Combine
8 Nate Robinson Basketball 43.5" (110.5 cm) from 2004 NBA draft
9 Tim Bowers Basketball 43.5" from 2004 NBA draft
10 Dickerson, Dorin Football (nfl) 43.5" 2010 nfl Combine
KGphoto (anonymous) replies…
Didn't Michael Jordan have a 48" vert?
How about this guy? 5'10" with a 50" vert. He literally seems to fly in a few of these dunks. It all comes into perspective when he jumps the Porsche to slam it with ease.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GszNJ...
hawkfan20 (anonymous) says…
Kenny, come on back. I was in school when you were and I don't think there were any hard feelings then. So there sure as heck aren't any now. KU fans would love to see you back as often as you want to come.
kushaw (Chris Shaw) says…
Good to see Gregory trying to knock something down over Marcus Fizer. Man, Fizer, Tinsley, Shirley, and company at Iowa State. sure did dominate KU in the late 90's and heading into the 2000 season.
I remember all the "Hype" surrounding Kenny Gregory coming out High School. Then, playing behind Paul Pierce he hardly got off the bench, which is totally understandable. To Gregory's defense (I've been hard on him over the year's) he never did look comfortable on the court. He looked very "Robotic" instead of just playing with his instincts.
Gregory did a fantastic job of being very "Political Correct" in this article, but you could tell he never did feel comfortable on the court while playing under Roy Williams at KU. I sure hope Gregory has developed some sort of "J" overseas because it was painful to watch him from the charity stripe back in the day.
hawksince51 (anonymous) says…
Kenny was really fun to watch. I recall seeing him in the McC AA game where I think he was MVP and thinking he would certainly be an AA at KU. But that never happened and I can see why he would have been frustrated with the way Roy used him. But, to his credit, he never complained and stayed at KU for his 4 years. He correctly called his years at KU as being transitional.
So far as the NBA, he was one of those in-between players who could not shoot well enough outside to play the 2 and not big enough for the 3. He was realistic about that and has certainly done well overseas. It is great to read about him and thanks to Bedore and the LJW for the update.
chaggs (anonymous) says…
It's disappointing to hear anyone think they might feel unwelcome because of perception. Nothing could be further from the truth. Kenny will always be welcome back in Lawrence. This is the case now...and it always would have been the case (national championship or not). The KU family transcends more than the globe you've travelled. It transcends disappointment and frustration!
ralster (anonymous) replies…
I agree 100%, but tell that to the people slamming Sherron and Tyshawn right now.
cklarock (anonymous) says…
Kenny, get on back for a game! KU still loves you -- you'll always be a Jayhawk!
KU1992 (anonymous) says…
My first memories of KU basketball when I was little were Kenny dunking. He was my favorite player when i was eight or nine years old because I loved seeing him throw it down.
WilburNether (anonymous) says…
Kenny Gregory wanted to take pull-up jumpers in transition? Since when did he have a jump shot? Yeah, he could dunk, but he had no shot. I wonder if he ever learned to shoot. He's a classic example of HS and AAU coaches letting kids get by on athletic ability, and failing to teach them basketball skills. (See also Giddens, J.R..)
Strikewso (anonymous) says…
That's very interesting about the running. I do remember KU picking up the tempo in 2002, but I wonder why RW didn't do it sooner? It certainly would have fit well into KG's game, especially with Hinrich and Boschee there knocking down threes. It is true that his shot just wasn't there, but he would have fit well in a running offense.
hawk316 (anonymous) says…
Kenny, you are family. Come back home.
KANSTUCKY (anonymous) says…
Who is Eric Chenowith?
KANSTUCKY (anonymous) says…
Just kidding.
jaybate (anonymous) says…
"Its Time to Mend Fences and Honor Under-Recognized KU Players"
The night for Wilt Chamberlain was not fundamentally about Wilt being great. It was about mending fences with a KU basketball player.
I have often thought that KU ought to hold a Fence Mending Night event once a season to mend fences with former KU players, whose careers were good, but not what the player, coaches, and fans had hoped for, for whatever reason.
Time heals most wounds and hindsight clarifies fine accomplishments previously overshadowed by unfulfilled, and too high expectations.
I would love for KU Basketball to look back occasionally and say, "Hey, Player X, we want to mend the fence and recognize your contributions, if you do."
It would be good for the player. It would be good for KU basketball. It would be good for KU basketball fans.
I would love for KU to hold a "Thank you, Kenny Gregory" night, when he is ready.
There are so many deserving players in this regard.
You look at their stats and you realize that despite the problems they had, they contributed impressively during their time, just not at the all-time high levels of KU's all-timers.
I think the players and former players would appreciate this.
Everyone knows that things don't always work out perfectly and that there are sometimes players plagued with injuries, or with personality problems, or other adversities to overcome, that after leaving KU they do overcome. They either were stand-up guys, or become them later.
Holding such a night would be a reward and an incentive for guys to remain loyal to the program and it would force KU basketball and its fans to soul search over time and try to admit mistakes and rectify them.
I would love for Kenny Gregory to come back and be honored for being one of KU's "All-Time Underrecognized Team."
It would, as they years pass, become quite an honor and quite a team--probably one capable of giving our all-time team a run for its money.
Life isn't perfect.
KU basketball and its fans would do The Legacy a great justice by admitting it, and rectifying it by mending fences, when both sides have reached maturity on the subject.
KGphoto (anonymous) replies…
Wonderful.
jaybate (anonymous) replies…
Thx.
kenhil (anonymous) says…
Not sure on the name of the team Jaybate but I like the idea. KG is definitely deserving of such an honor. And for him to EVER hesitate to come back to Lawrence, to come back to the field house, because he isn't sure if he lived up to some people's expectations is crazy. You sound very mature now KG and that undoubtedly comes from all of your traveling. Be mature enough to know that you can't please everybody and only spend time with people who appreciate you and you them. I'm confident the majority of Jayhawk fans would welcome you with open arms. You were one of my favorites in a KU uniform and always will be. Leave the haters, including a couple posters above, in their own UNhappiness...don't let it affect the progress, achievement, and happiness in your life.
jaybate (anonymous) replies…
I agree the name is wanting. I was hoping to trigger our community, which is so resourceful in this regard, to lend an assist.
yovoy (anonymous) says…
I don't bear any grudges against this guy. He did what was asked of him as I remember. He can't help that he played for a coach that limited his potential. He nearly said as much in the interview. Best of luck to him. I will watch for him in the Euroleague.
Best of Luck Mr. Gregory.
CalebZahnd (anonymous) says…
I loved watching Gregory. He played during my freshman and sophomore years at KU. Still my favorite player.
ralster (anonymous) replies…
Im impressed that Kenny is your favorite KU player. RCJH
leikness (anonymous) says…
Planning on making a couple of week trip across the pond next year, never thought of including a game or two of ex-KU greats while there. Thanks Gary for putting the thought in my head. It'd be great to get to see KG play again.
kansasalumn (anonymous) says…
I wanted to name our dog Kenny Gregory, but my wife let me keep Gregory, so we name him Liam Gregory. Kenny G was my fav player when I was in school 1996 to 2000
milehighhawk (anonymous) says…
One of my all-time favorites. Truly a shame to think he let the fans down.
memhawk (anonymous) says…
Kenny would have been one of HCBS's favorite players. He embodies all that is revered in a Jayhawk modern day player's profile. I would trade him in a minute for 3-4 of the starters from the last five years teams.
15th leading scorer of all time at KU....I did not know that! That record will be safer and safer with the talent leaving the program so quickly in this era.
jaybate (anonymous) replies…
Good points.
WisconsinJayhawk (anonymous) says…
Sounds like KG isn't sure the fans like him. They do! Don't do the Wilt thing and think that KU fans are mad at you. Once a Jayhawk, always a Jayhawk. Except for Chenowith.
ralster (anonymous) says…
Wisconsin,
I agree 100%, but tell that to some of the angry ones still slamming Sherron and Tyshawn. Regarding Chenoweth, its too bad he didnt have Self + Manning as his coaches, perhaps they could have promoted better development. As much as I liked Roy when he was here, he will be 2nd fiddle forever to Bill Self's philosophies--that's just IMHO...(no offense to any fellow Hawks...).
-------------------------------
memhawk,
I can see we needed a 6'6" wing the last 2 years who could slash like an NBA player (not just have an nba-body...), but did you really mean the last "5 years"?? Im specifically considering the 08 ChampHawks. Would KG replace Rush's treys, D, FT%, and rebounding? Or Chalmers? Or would he sit on the bench behind Rush, like 6'4" Rodrick Stewart? I think KG's true potential wasnt effectively developed while in college (and he stayed all 4yrs--what a missed opportunity)-- he could have benefitted from Self's program of complete ball and Hudy conditioning. I really did like KGregory when he was at KU though. Glad he is doing well.
GBJayhawk (anonymous) says…
Kenny G. was a lot of fun to watch, and a great player. If he hadn't been in Paul Pierce's shadow we'd have seen more of his skills.
Kenny, you gave all you could to us Jayhawk fans, and we'll always love you for your work. You come back whenever you get the chance!!
rock chalk, gregory!!
honeyiscool (anonymous) says…
The real problem with the Kansas team during those years is that Chenowith never panned out the way he should have. Had he not regressed after his sophomore year, Gregory would have had a much better career because he wouldn't have gotten blocked every time he tried to drive against an athletic defender. I loved Kenny Gregory, though. He was always a good player and a ferocious dunker.
ku_foaf (anonymous) says…
Kenny was there in some of the harder years for KU basketball. Not that he wasn't a good player, but he had back problems and didn't quite live up to expectations. I don't like the Chenowith bashing, but he did not live up to expectations either. Lester Earl was trouble, and again didn't live up, nor did Luke Axtel. I'm not sure what the expectations of Nick Bradford were coming in, but he was the worst starter KU has had since maybe 1983. I don't dislike him by any means, and the coach and players obviously did like him. It was the toughest time since the last few years of Ted Owen's era. I think we tied for 5th place in 2000? I remember OK State destroying us. Shudder.
Ah well, things were much, much better by 02, and we haven't looked back!
BPSkelly (anonymous) says…
I refer to that as the "Nick Bradford Era". By most folks standards, not to shabby. By KU's standards it was pretty lean.
To this day I recall when it really, really hit me that we had dropped somewhat in standings / stature --- I dont recall the exact year, but we played DePaul in the first round (I believe it was an 8/9 or 7/10 game) and we barely won the game. We won essentially because the team coached by Pat Kennedy played like it.
These things are cyclical though. It's beyond amazing we've had the runs we've had under Roy and Bill though. Other traditional powers (Kentucky, Duke, UCLA, Indiana, UNC, etc) have ALL had blocks of time when they were worse off than the "Nick Bradford Era" the last 20-30 years. Yet our leanest years we still made the tournament. There's something to that Id say.
I loved "Kenny G". But he was what he was... a jumping / dunking swing man with average at best ball handling skills and average at best jumper. He'd have some serious throwdowns -- some of the best I recall KU folks having -- and he'd even blow up once in awhile with some big games. But jumping outta the gym doesnt translate necessarily to being a great player... which is a big reason he's been playing in Europe and not the NBA. That comes across as a knock, but its just the reality of where is game is at and has been.
It's good to see him doing well overseas and hopefully he makes it back to Lawrence more frequently. Good article to boot.