Kansas University coach Bill Self tonight will be awarded the 2015 Mannie Jackson — Basketball Human Spirit Award at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Reunion Dinner in Massachusetts. Others to receive the honor: Former Reebok CEO Paul Fireman and 14-year NBA veteran Steve Smith.
On Friday, former KU guard Jo Jo White and former KU grad assistant and current Kentucky coach John Calipari will be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
“It’s a nice honor,” said Self, who is being cited for his and wife Cindy’s work with their Assists Foundation which has served a variety of youth initiatives in Lawrence since 2006. “People here in this community have done a lot to support us in what we’re trying to do through our foundation. Sometimes you are recognized for different things. The reason we are recognized for this at all is because everybody else has joined in and really tried to help.”
According to the Hall, “Winners of the Mannie Jackson — Basketball Human Spirit Award exhibit qualities such as striving to improve the community, making a commitment to others, hard work and embracing the core values of the game. Beyond the game, award winners must reflect the values of Mannie Jackson’s life-long mission to overcome obstacles and challenge the status quo, while taking responsibility for his or her actions and seeking the highest standard of excellence.”
Former KU coach Ted Owens, who will attend tonight’s ceremony and Friday’s ceremony — Self has recruiting responsibilities on Friday — said Self is quite deserving.
“It’s pretty obvious he (Self) will be inducted into the Hall on his basketball achievements pretty soon. I can’t believe it’ll be very long until that happens,” Owens said. “He and Cindy and that foundation do great work. I’m glad they (Hall officials) are recognizing that. They (Bill and Cindy) are very thoughtful people and concerned people. I can’t be more high on anybody than him.”
As far as other aspects of the “human spirit” award … Self received some national acclaim this summer when sports writer David Dorsey revealed that Self phoned his dad and mom to lend support during mom’s final days of a battle with cancer.
Two other incidents of kindness. …
“Chuck Purdy, our Final Four team manager in 1974, was a huge KU fan who lived in South Dakota and Bill was so thoughtful and kind to him,” Owens said. “KU would go to Ames, Iowa, to play and Bill would get him tickets behind the bench. It meant so much to Chuck. It’s one thing to get you tickets, it’s another to go over and greet you and let you know he was concerned about you (as the late Purdy battled cancer). That’s just the way he is. My captain in ’66, Delvy Lewis … he (Self) did so many wonderful things for Delvy as he fought cancer, had him speak to the players. Bill is not just a great coach but a wonderful person.”
This, that: Self on Wednesday visited Marques Bolden, 6-10 senior from DeSoto (Texas) High, who is ranked No. 16 in the Class of 2016 by Rivals.com as well as No. 34 Schnider Herard, 6-10 senior from Prestonwood Christian Academy in Plano, Texas. Self will visit De’Aaron Fox, 6-3 senior from Cypress Lakes High in Katy, Texas, on Friday. … The Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday officially announced the signing of former KU center Sasha Kaun to a contract. Terms were not disclosed. ESPN says it’s a two-year deal worth around $2.5 million.