Kansas basketball: Sherron Collins deserves special honor
KU will retire the jersey of 2008 NCAA championship team member and loved Jayhawk, Sherron Collins on February 19 when the Jayhawks take on Oklahoma Sooners in the Allen Fieldhouse.
The four year standout point guard was a key player for the 2008 NCAA championship team. It was his sophomore season and he won the BIG 12 sixth man of the year award. Collins raked up 9.3 points and 3.1 assists during the famed season.
He would only improve from there on. Returning for his Junior year, he lit up the field with almost 18.9 points and 5 assists per game. After his breakout year and many expected him to leave for the NBA.
But Collins had other plans. He returned for his senior season and led the Jayhawks to another BIG 12 title. He is one of the major reasons Bill Self has the current streak of 13 straight BIG 12 regular season titles.
During his four years as a Jayhawks, Sherron Collins left a mark few have come close to achieving. Ranked at five on the all time list of total points scored in a KU jersey, he also is good for third in threes made. But Collins impact on the Jayhawks program goes beyond his four years.
Sharing his thoughts about the jersey retirement, Collins said:
"It’s surreal, (I knew) it was happening soon, but then, when it happened, I was speechless, I wanted to cry. Now to be in the rafters forever, with the greats like Paul Pierce, Wilt Chamberlain and all these guys, it’s amazing.”"
Sherron Collins back in Lawrence
As a matter of fact, he recently moved back to Lawrence. Collins will participate in a new basketball league named North American Premier Basketball League, playing for a team based in Kansas City. Gary Bedore from Kansas City Star reports that Collins advises Devonte Graham on his role for the team.
Collins has a wealth of experience from his accomplished basketball career at KU and has seen the pressure that comes with being the point guard of the team, playing in front of a loud crowd in the best basketball arena in all of college basketball. I am sure his advice will help Graham along the way.
It is exciting for Jayhawk fans to have Sherron Collins back. He is much loved and regarded in the basketball circles in Lawrence, Kansas. For all he has given to KU basketball, he surely has earned the retirement of his jersey. I am sure every Jayhawk fan, like me wishes him the best for his career ahead.