Journal-World File PhotoDarnell Valentine, the fifth-leading scorer, fifth-leading assist man and top free-throw shooter in Kansas University men’s basketball history, produced a plethora of points for KU from 1977 to ’81.
The 6-foot-2, 185-pound point guard from Wichita, who today will have his jersey No. 14 hung in the rafters of Allen Fieldhouse, best may be known, however, for something coaches usually appreciate more than fans — stout defense.
“Darnell was very good offensively,” former KU coach Ted Owens said, “but the thing that set him apart … the whole defense started with him. When the opponent’s point guard had trouble penetrating, when teams had trouble running the offense, it was because of Darnell.
“He’s one of the hardest workers I’ve ever been around. He brought intensity every day. I can’t remember him one time not going all-out.”
Also known for his tree-trunk, Bo Jackson-like thighs, Valentine ranks first in KU history in steals with 336.
“Man, when I played I didn’t realize they even kept records,” exclaimed Valentine, named first-team All-Big Eight all four years at KU and an All-American in 1981.
“I am surprised I’m still there. What that means is I had great teammates. They allowed me to take a lot of chances and get a lot of steals.”
Valentine led KU to a 24-5 record his freshman year and 24-8 mark his senior year when the Jayhawks were downed by Wichita State, 66-65, in the NCAA Midwest Regional semifinals in New Orleans.
“My senior year, we were a team. We were all on the same agenda,” Valentine said. “We just competed. Of course, the game I really remember is losing to Wichita State in the Superdome. It was painful. It’s a game I think we were capable of winning and moving farther in the tournament.”
More than any specific game … “I think the thing is not so much accomplishments, but my work ethic,” Valentine said. “I think I instilled an incredible work ethic. I worked extremely hard to get to the point to where I could achieve things at Kansas. I was at every practice. I was consistent.”
So consistent he today receives the highest hoops honor at his alma mater.
“It’s a culmination of 24 years of everything coming together,” Valentine said, acknowledging this is one of his greatest individual thrills. “It has to be,” he said. “In terms of what the university has done for me in my life, preparing me for things I’m doing now … I wouldn’t rank it with my marriage or daughter and family, but it’s right up there.”
Valentine was a first-round pick of the Portland Trail Blazers in the 1981 Draft and played nine years in the NBA with Portland, the Los Angeles Clippers and Cleveland Cavaliers. He is back working for the Blazers as director of player development.
“What it entails is me assisting guys in being professional, adjusting to life off the basketball floor,” Valentine said. “These players are so young now, sometimes they miss fundamental things. There are vast changes in what guys must adjust to off the court.
“I give guidance on things I learned at Kansas. My legacy is passing down qualities of making decisions to these guys. If I can share with them my experiences and help them with their choices, that is what I want to do.”
With the NBA drafting more and more teenagers, Valentine’s job is that much more important.
“Five years ago, there was an attitude of entitlement and (players) being very difficult to deal with,” Valentine said. “The quality of young players coming in now and showing respect for the game is great. Initially I found guys were disrespecting the game. We’re getting back to where it needs to be. Young guys are receptive now it seems.”
This will be reunion weekend in Lawrence for players and coaches from Kansas University’s 1974 Final Four men’s basketball team.
Coach Ted Owens, his assistants and several members of the squad will gather at a banquet Saturday night at the Hereford House, and will be honored at halftime of Sunday’s KU-Oklahoma game.
The 1974 team capped the greatest single-season turnaround in KU history. The Jayhawks went 23-7 after adding two players — Roger Morningstar and Norm Cook — to a 1972-73 squad that finished 8-18.
Many of the members of that close-knit team have returned to KU for various reunions throughout the years, but this year’s gathering — which has been organized by Morningstar, who lives in Lawrence — also will include Rick Suttle, who played pro ball in Argentina in the 1970s and 1980s and has lived there since.
Some other players on the team include Dale Greenlee, Tommie Smith, Tom Kivisto, Reuben Shelton and Donnie Von Moore. Assistant coaches include Sam Miranda and Duncan Reid.
“That was a remarkable team,” Owens said Tuesday from Tulsa, Okla., where he works in investment banking. “To go from 8-18 to the Final Four was quite an accomplishment.
“The year before, we lost virtually every close game. A year later, we added a couple guys, had a lot of key players who were a year older, more mature, and we went 13-1 in the conference. It really was a fun year. All those guys have a great love for this university.”
Kansas, which was led in scoring by the late Danny Knight at 12.7 points a game, fell to Marquette, 64-51, in the national semifinals in Greensboro, N.C., then fell to UCLA in the consolation game. N.C. State won the national title.
Bill Bridges, a Kansas University basketball All-American in 1961, will be honored at halftime of Saturday’s Kansas-Oklahoma game in Allen Fieldhouse.
Bridges, who lives in Santa Monica, Calif., will be presented a Kansas Hall of Fame portrait during the ceremony.
Bridges came to KU from Hobbs, N.M. As a Jayhawk, he became the first player in Big Six-Seven-Eight history to top 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds during a three-year career. He was all-conference for three seasons and was named All-American as a senior in 1961.
The 6-foot-5, 235-pounder left KU with a three-year scoring average of 13.2 points and 13.9 rebounds. He recorded double-doubles during all three of his seasons at KU.
Bridges later played a season with the old ABA Kansas City Steers, then had a 12-year NBA career with St. Louis, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Los Angeles and Golden State. He scored more than 10,000 points and captured more than 10,000 rebounds as a professional and made three all-star teams.
The annual award given to KU’s top rebounder carries his name.
Bill Bridges, a Kansas University basketball All-American in 1961, will be honored at halftime of Saturday’s Kansas-Oklahoma game in Allen Fieldhouse.
Bridges, who lives in Santa Monica, Calif., will be presented a Kansas Hall of Fame portrait during the ceremony.
Bridges came to KU from Hobbs, N.M. As a Jayhawk, he became the first player in Big Six-Seven-Eight history to top 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds during a three-year career. He was all-conference for three seasons and was named All-American as a senior in 1961.
The 6-foot-5, 235-pounder left KU with a three-year scoring average of 13.2 points and 13.9 rebounds. He recorded double-doubles during all three of his seasons at KU.
Bridges later played a season with the old ABA Kansas City Steers, then had a 12-year NBA career with St. Louis, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Los Angeles and Golden State. He scored more than 10,000 points and captured more than 10,000 rebounds as a professional and made three all-star teams.
The annual award given to KU’s top rebounder carries his name.
Bill Bridges, a Kansas University basketball All-American in 1961, will be honored at halftime of Saturday’s Kansas-Oklahoma game in Allen Fieldhouse.
Bridges, who lives in Santa Monica, Calif., will be presented a Kansas Hall of Fame portrait during the ceremony.
Bridges came to KU from Hobbs, N.M. As a Jayhawk, he became the first player in Big Six-Seven-Eight history to top 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds during a three-year career. He was all-conference for three seasons and was named All-American as a senior in 1961.
The 6-foot-5, 235-pounder left KU with a three-year scoring average of 13.2 points and 13.9 rebounds. He recorded double-doubles during all three of his seasons at KU.
Bridges later played a season with the old ABA Kansas City Steers, then had a 12-year NBA career with St. Louis, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Los Angeles and Golden State. He scored more than 10,000 points and captured more than 10,000 rebounds as a professional and made three all-star teams.
The annual award given to KU’s top rebounder carries his name.
Bill Bridges, a Kansas University basketball All-American in 1961, will be honored at halftime of Saturday’s Kansas-Oklahoma game in Allen Fieldhouse.
Bridges, who lives in Santa Monica, Calif., will be presented a Kansas Hall of Fame portrait during the ceremony.
Bridges came to KU from Hobbs, N.M. As a Jayhawk, he became the first player in Big Six-Seven-Eight history to top 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds during a three-year career. He was all-conference for three seasons and was named All-American as a senior in 1961.
The 6-foot-5, 235-pounder left KU with a three-year scoring average of 13.2 points and 13.9 rebounds. He recorded double-doubles during all three of his seasons at KU.
Bridges later played a season with the old ABA Kansas City Steers, then had a 12-year NBA career with St. Louis, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Los Angeles and Golden State. He scored more than 10,000 points and captured more than 10,000 rebounds as a professional and made three all-star teams.
The annual award given to KU’s top rebounder carries his name.
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