After checking out a destroyer and the USS Arizona Memorial last Wednesday at Pearl Harbor a couple of days ahead of their loss to Indiana in the Armed Forces Classic in Honolulu, the Jayhawks checked out the site of the former World Trade Center and Ground Zero on Sunday while in New York preparing for Tuesday’s Champions Classic clash with top-ranked Duke.

“We had a chance to do Pearl Harbor, that was very humbling,” Kansas head coach Bill Self said in a press release, “but to do the 9/11 Memorial tour, I think that hit our guys because obviously it’s in their generation. It was really nice – it was sad, it was uplifting and all the things that a memorial should be. Certainly you could spend all day there and not get everything done, it was very impressive.”

Although the players themselves were very young when the attack took place — and most could not remember details of where they were, how they felt or what the day meant — they said seeing it through the carefully constructed memorial and museum, which has drawn both praise and criticism since it opened, brought the entire experience to life.

“I was talking with Josh (Jackson) earlier, I can’t really remember what I was doing that day,” said KU junior Devonte’ Graham who was a first grader in 2001. “Visiting today is just a real humbling experience, seeing all the pictures and displays, the tragedy that our country went through on that day.”

Self said the 9/11 Memorial was an important part of the New York City experience for his team and staff, but it had extra meaning for one member of the KU coaching staff, director of student-athlete development, Fred Quartlebaum.

“I had three close friends that were victims of the attack,” said Quartlebaum, a New York native. “One was on the flight, one was a high school classmate and one was a college classmate. Obviously it was very emotional, but to celebrate their lives and see people come out and come together as a nation, it was a great experience, not only for me, but for our guys to actually be a part of this is special.”

The Jayhawks (0-1) practiced some Sunday at the underground court at Baruch College and will go again Monday after flying directly from Honolulu to New York following last Friday’s loss. That allowed the coaching staff to mix in activities outside of basketball while the team rested and prepared for the showdown with Duke (2-0).

“It’s part of our responsibility to provide them educational opportunities,” Self said. “But it’s part of their responsibility to make the most of that and I think they did.”

Added Quartlebaum: “It’s so special, especially during the time we’re out of school. This is so important from an educational standpoint in their lives. They can share with their families and children that they experienced Pearl Harbor and now an opportunity to witness the 9/11 Memorial and Museum. This is something that has true significance and hopefully they can cherish this for many years to come.”