Senior Night at Kansas is a special event.
The memories live for lifetimes, the photos are a part of history and the framed jerseys and pictures that are presented to each player often hang on their walls well into their adult lives.
But it’s not just the seniors who Senior Night means something to. Of course it’s special for the fans, families and coaches of those Jayhawks being honored. But it also means something to their teammates, some of whom are taking notes for when their big night rolls around.
Freshman forward Mitch Lightfoot is one of those players. After immersing himself in everything Kansas basketball from an early age — and all over again in a whole different way this season — Lightfoot is looking forward to being one of the thousands of people clapping and honoring KU seniors Landen Lucas, Frank Mason III and Tyler Self following tonight’s 8 p.m. game against Oklahoma at Allen Fieldhouse.
“Those guys have been incredible inspirations for me,” Lightfoot said.
Specifically, Lightfoot was asked what he would remember about his time with Mason and Lucas, two of KU’s unquestioned leaders this season who have introduced Lightfoot into the culture of Kansas basketball.
“How hard they worked,” Lightfoot answered. “Those guys are workhorses and they’re always willing to do the little things. Frank does so much for this team that you guys do see and he does so much for us that you guys don’t see. Same with Landen.”
Although the 14-man Kansas roster has allowed Lightfoot to learn a lot of things from a lot of people during the past nine months, the lessons he has taken from Lucas, who plays the same position, have been life-changing.
“Learning from him, just being humble, rebounding the heck out of the ball and defending the other team’s best big every time,” Lightfoot began. “I’m kind of in the same position as he was. The guy paid his dues before he (got) his time to shine and, obviously, he’s shining right now.”
In an era of one-and-done players dominating headlines, transfers taking place at record-setting rates and early entries into the NBA Draft becoming more and more common, four-year players like Lucas and Mason are true commodities and more appreciated than ever.
For Lightfoot, who still has three seasons ahead of him at Kansas, getting a chance to go through a season with guys like that has been invaluable.
“I obviously see myself as being one of those Frank and Landen type of guys, who stays here the entire time,” Lightfoot said. “And I’ve found some inspiration in that. They’re willing to pay their dues.”
Senior Nights Under Bill Self:
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**2017 -** Frank Mason III, Landen Lucas, Tyler Self
**2016 -** Perry Ellis, Evan Manning, Hunter Mickelson, Jamari Traylor
**2015 -** Christian Garrett
**2014 -** Tarik Black, Niko Roberts, Justin Wesley
**2013 -** Elijah Johnson, Travis Releford, Jeff Withey, Kevin Young
**2012 -** Tyshawn Taylor, Conner Teahan, Jordan Juenemann
**2011 -** Brady Morningstar, Tyrel Reed, Mario Little
**2010 -** Sherron Collins
**2009 -** Brennan Bechard, Matt Kleinmann
**2008 -** Roderick Stewart, Jeremy Case, Russell Robinson, Sasha Kaun, Darnell Jackson, Brad Witherspoon
**2007 -** *No Seniors on KU Roster*
**2006 -** Jeff Hawkins, Stephen Vinson, Christian Moody
**2005 -** Keith Langford, Aaron Miles, Wayne Simien, Michael Lee
**2004 -** Brett Olson, Bryant Nash, Jeff Graves
