Gary Bedore's KU Basketball Notebook

Did any of you notice the reference to Jeff Withey being 7' tall? The roster on this web page shows him as 6' 10". I raised the question with the sports department twice noting quotes from the articles on him that show him as 7'. I am assuming that he is that tall and the roster is wrong. I don't want to bug the athletic department but does anyone have a clue?

June 18, 2009 at 10:17 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Simien retires from pro hoops

Congratulations Wayne on following God’s leading for your life. You made us proud when you played as a Hawk and you do us proud now. May God help you be a positive influence on the youth in Lawrence and our country. Christ-like values can have an effect not only in this life but the next.

May 1, 2009 at 9:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Kansas deep, versatile

jayhawkerjoel - I have checked back to two KU web articles on Withey on January 12 & 15.
the first it titled "Withey ready for fresh start." In it Withey makes the comment: “I hope it’ll help him playing with somebody else who is 7-foot tall,” Withey said. “He can help me out. He’s one of the best big men in college basketball." He was referring to playing with Cole.

The second article is titled Withey’s welcome warm." Here are a couple of quotes: "The highlight reel featuring some of the best players and coaches in KU history had the attention of KU’s current players, including transfer Jeff Withey." “It gave me goosebumps watching it,” said Withey, KU’s 7-foot freshman center from the University of Arizona." “Jeff will be a big asset to us,” Self said. “You can physically see he is very tall, very long, a good shot blocker. He’s also a guy who can run and has a great touch. He also physically needs to put on weight,” added Self, who said Withey easily will put on 20 pounds by the time he’s eligible to play." The last quote is: "Withey — he said he’d like to be 240 pounds next season — said he likes to “drop step, dunk the ball, block shots and rebound.”

All of this is to say that before publishing the roster, he was &' tall and was commenting on playing with Cole as a fellow 7 footer.

What I am asking is does anyone posting on this site have access to anyone who could give us the real story. Did he shrink or was a mistake made on the roster.

April 30, 2009 at 3:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Kansas deep, versatile

Do any of you have a way to find the actual height for Jeff Withey. I had the same assumption as jaybate did, from all the articles on the transfer from Arizona, that he was 7'. Could there be a mistake on the roster posting? If someone has access to staff that would help us get a view of what we have in him.

April 30, 2009 at 12:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Big Dub in good spirits at camp

Gentlemen, when did Wayne try to cram his beliefs down anyone's throat? Did he do that to you when he was at KU his last two years? He is putting forth his role modeling to those who wish to hear. All that he is saying is that God has been the agent of change in his life and the root of his convictions. We often hear athletes share what has contributed to their personal success. Wayne is simply providing character building as part of his thing. If you don't like his thing, fine. Just give him the same right you have to tell his story. You have certainly told your stories on this site today. You don't mind putting forth your value systems as part of a sports dialogue. Don't say it is out of place for others to do the same.

July 30, 2008 at 2:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Big Dub in good spirits at camp

It has been some time since I commented on this site but read it with regularity. I am a died in the wool KU basketball fan. All that said, I am amazed at the negative comments about a strong role model. Wayne has as much right to express his views, even though they are spiritually oriented, as some of you have to spout your often vulger or insulting comments to one another. Why is it that you can like Wayne as a ball player but not as a quality individual. He is always just one man. What you see is what you get. No one going to his camps is forced to go and he makes it clear what they are to expect. Why trash a mans values when he is doing something good for others. What have you done today to improve the quality of someone's life or make their day better?

July 30, 2008 at 11:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )