Some of Kansas University’s most distinguished alumni basketball players have made appearances at coach Bill Self’s summer camps the past two years.
NBA players Kirk Hinrich, Greg Ostertag and Scot Pollard competed in the campers’ game the past two Wednesdays at Horejsi Center, as well as Billy Thomas, Nick Bradford and Eric Chenowith, who all have played for pay since leaving KU.
Drew Gooden and Nick Collison of the NBA scrimmaged against the current Jayhawks in the summer of 2003, as did overseas veterans Lester Earl and Steve Woodberry.
“What makes this so special is having these guys come back,” Self said.
“These are guys who have given their heart and soul to the university — ones who bleed when we bleed, rejoice when we rejoice. The old-timers, you might call them, make so much money, but come back to play in front of the kids every summer. They credit the University of Kansas for their success and like to come back when they can.
“The great thing is you will see these cats (current Jayhawks) back here five years from now playing, too.”
KU has an open-door policy, letting former players use all the hoops facilities.
“I enjoy coming back in the summer,” said Utah Jazz center Ostertag, whose son, Cody, has attended hoops camps of Self and former coach Roy Williams the past four summers. “I think sometimes it’s a shock when they (current Jayhawks) see somebody as big as me. I outweigh everybody by 40 pounds. The same with Scot.”
Chenowith, a 7-foot-2, 295-pounder, was cut by the Los Angeles Lakers on the last day of the 2003-04 preseason camp.
“He looked great. He got every rebound,” Pollard said of Chenowith, who had 12 points and at least as many rebounds in Wednesday’s campers game. “He’s definitely put on some weight.
“I hope so,” Pollard said of Chenowith getting an invitation to an NBA camp. “For us guys who don’t have all the skills in the world, all the athleticism in the world, it’s all about hard work and timing.”
According to the Salina Journal, Graves was suspended after missing the team’s shootaround Thursday. He had a doctor’s appointment scheduled for the same time, but also failed to show for it, the paper reported.
Graves, who has tendinitis in one knee, had missed the Cagerz’ last four games because of an ankle injury, but practiced with the team Tuesday and Wednesday.