Wednesday, October 24, 2007
The whispers started in middle school.
“He’s only here because of his dad,” and, “He’s not good enough.”
Chase Buford has dealt with expectations and criticism from being the son of San Antonio Spurs G.M. and former Kansas graduate assistant R.C. Buford nearly all his life. Now, as an invited freshman walk-on, Buford is ready to make sure Kansas fans don’t just think of him as R.C.’s son.
“It’s something that I’m not always happy someone knows,” Buford said about his father’s basketball celebrity. “I don’t go around boasting or anything. I try to live my life as normal as I can.”
Buford’s likely not going to draw too much ire from fans during his stint as a walk-on, but he did when he signed in May. Message boards lit up. Walk-ons usually don’t cause that kind of commotion, but when you’re the son of R.C. Buford, people take notice. Buford said “more people than you know” expressed disapproval of his signing on message boards.
“He didn’t even play last year yet gets to walk on at KU? Hmmmmmm?” one user wrote on Phog.net.
Top 5 KU Walk-on moments since 1990
1. In 2005 Christian Moody (2002-2006) went up for a dunk against Kentucky his junior year and landed as “the best walk-on in the history of college basketball.” At least, that’s what Billy Packer said. Packer may have forgotten a few names (hello, Jeff Hornacek), but this is probably the most recognition any walk-on has ever received.
2. The other players had bets that C.B. McGrath (1994-1998) would cry on his Senior Day in 1998. McGrath assured them he wouldn’t. Then, he mentioned his coach, Roy Williams. “I want to thank Coach Williams.” He started choking up and covering his face. “Just for giving me a chance.” — Type “C.B. McGrath” on YouTube to see it.
3. Anytime T.J. Whatley (1992-1996) entered a game. He was Adam Morrison before Adam Morrison. Nobody in a KU uniform has made a mustache look better.
4. This didn’t happen when Scott Novosel (1994-1995) was still playing for Kansas, but it’s too cool not to include. Novosel is living in Tokyo and is the lead man for a Japanese rap/ rock and roll group called Jai Live. And we thought Scott Pollard was strange. — Go to jailive.com to see the band’s music videos.
5. Walk-ons rarely play in NCAA Tournament games, much less score. That’s why Brett Ballard (2000-2002) makes this list. He scored eight points in 18 minutes in the Jayhawks’ 2001 first round victory against Cal State Northridge. Ballard followed it up with 14 minutes against Syracuse in the next round.
“No one is ever going to say that to my face but with message boards and whatnot, people bring it up to me all the time,” Buford said. “I try not to look at it, but I know what’s going on. It really doesn’t keep me down. It’s fuel to get better.”
Buford, a San Antonio, Texas native, had to deal with more than just the usual scrutiny his senior season. A doctor diagnosed him with mononucleosis during the first week of basketball practice. He went back to the doctor every week and kept hearing he wasn’t ready yet.
The weeks passed by, and Buford’s spleen was still too vulnerable. He missed the entire season.
“I just tried to not let it get me down too much,” Buford said. “I’m a carefree person. I try not to let it get me down really. I had a good time. I don’t have any regrets or anything about how the year ended up. It’s just something that happens; you have to live with it. It worked out for me in the end.”
It worked out because Buford still had the opportunity to decide between walk-on offers from Texas, Virginia and Kansas. He picked the Jayhawks because of the tradition and to get away from his home state of Texas.
When he arrived in Lawrence this summer, he was ready to start a new life and broaden his perspective. But his game wasn’t ready. The time off from mono made him run a step slower and shoot a bit awkwardly. Buford said he “couldn’t throw the ball into the ocean from the beach.”
The rust started wearing off as the summer went on, and he was in good enough shape by the time practice started. Teammates began to notice his work ethic and ability to play anywhere on the court despite his 6’3” 200 pound size.
“He holds down the big guys — Sasha, Darrell, Cole and I,” senior forward Darnell Jackson said. “He’s down there pushing us around. He’s just strong; I don’t know where he gets his strength from. Chase has a big heart. He’s not scared of anything.”
Buford knows that his playing time will be limited this season and probably throughout his career. He’ll tell you he’s not very athletic and doesn’t have the most talent. But he plays smart, and he’s ready.
Buford’s ready to work hard, contribute when the team needs him and make a name for himself away from his dad.
“I probably wouldn’t be able to do this without my dad, but I think I fit in well,” he said. “I feel like I can play with these guys, and I think it’s starting to show how I’m getting more comfortable and playing better.”
—Edited by Rachel Gray
Big Monday becomes a family affair
Chase Buford, and his adopted brother, Alexis Wangmene, who plays for the ...
KU basketball player arrested
Junior guard Chase Buford was arrested Saturday morning for operating a motor ...
Freshman quartet enjoy the ‘madness’
Four freshman players are content to sit out of the spotlight this ...
On the road to the Final Four
From Bill Self’s neighborhood to the Alamo, know all the sights to ...
Arizona matchup to bring back memories
It may have been ten years ago, but Jayhawk fans and players ...
Henry, Buford leave Jayhawks basketball team
Coach Bill Self announced Tuesday that two members of the Jayhawks men's ...
Juenemann enjoying life as a walk-on
The junior guard shares a bond with Jeff Withey and has big ...
Basketball Report Card
Case Keefer, the University Daily Kansan’s basketball reporter, is fresh off his ...
Buford enters diversion agreement
Junior guard will pay $802 in fees and court costs.
Henry brothers delay decision yet again
Xavier and C.J. indefinitely postpone announcement, plan to visit Kentucky this week.
Oh, the places Hawks will go!
Coach Bill Self expects five Jayhawks to be picked in this year’s ...
Dreams do come to true
Brad Witherspoon offically back after questionable summer.
‘Knight School’ member happy to play
Hoffmeister won a walk-on spot on Texas Tech’s basketball after being on ...
Collins secures his legacy
Collins earns his place in Kansas basketball lore with his historic 124th ...
Good things come to those who wait ...
Jeremy Case received the farewell he deserved Monday night, sparking a run ...
Team debuts in Great White North
The Jayhawks showed Canada how Kansas basketball is played, winning all three ...
Scott Miller appointed municipal judge
Ellis County Assistant County Attorney Scott Miller will assume the position of ...
Rains: The two who can’t let the ...
Performances of basketball players Sherron Collins and Cole Aldrich will determine this ...
Aldrich, Reed learn the ropes
Kansas coach Bill Self said freshmen Cole Adrich and Tyrel Reed were ...
Basketball Gameday: November 20, 2007.
This is the basketball gameday.
KU Basketball Game Day: Nov. 4, 2008
Men’s golf takes third in Manhattan
Walk-on Bell impresses takes fifth individually in his first collegiate meet.
Japan native excels in academics, athletics
Ryotaro Hayakawa came to the U.S. without knowing how to speak English. ...
Rock chalk red team
Motivation, perseverance but, most importanly, the pride of being a Jayhawk made ...
Walz leaves behind an unexpected legacy
Senior pitcher T.J. Walz exceeded expectations since joining the team as a ...
For the love of the game
Several one-time KU basketball players have missed out on the riches of ...
Teahan likely to play more in final ...
With the departure of three major guards, Teahan’s chance at significant playing ...
Freshman chosen as basketball team’s walk-on
The Hays player practiced with Witherspoon, Simien and Hawkins to prepare for ...
Walk-on hopefuls look for chance to play ...
Tryouts for the Jayhawk baseball team start Sept. 27 at Hoglund Ballpark.
Linebacker climbs to top of the Big ...
Pennsylvania Senior Steven Johnson began his football career as a walk-on and ...
Men's Basketball: The season in review
Beginning with Boot Camp and ending at the Elite Eight in San ...
Long day of waiting before a moment ...
Detroit Titans had plenty to say about their chances against Kansas, looking ...
From the student section to the Big ...
Texas Tech student Matt Williams gets chance to play in Saturday’s game ...
Shroyer: ‘I picked the right position’
His baseball skills weren’t exactly what he remembered, but this attempted walk-on ...
Not your average placekicker
Jacob Branstetter has shown he's not afraid to bring down a returner
For Bechard, coaching is a family affair
Volleyball coach Ray Bechard has coached through winning seasons and personal losses.
Walk-on golfer exceeds expectations
In his first year, Brad Hopfinger has finished in the top 30 ...
Jayhawks add two walk-ons
The Jayhawks add the son of a former assistant to Bill Self ...
A three-horse race
The Jayhawks have a chance to be just the second team to ...
Junior leads golf team with high hopes
The future of KU men’s golf rests on the new team’s shoulders.
From left: Kimberlee Hinkle, Libby Johnson and Hannah ...
1 comment
Kansas Jayhawk fans hold aloft a reproduction of ...
2 comments
Erin Saupe, a Ph.D. student from St. Cloud, ...
1 comment
0 comments
Armed robbers continue to threaten.
3 comments
Lecture from Greg Mortenson, co-author of New York ...
0 comments
Comments
Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.
Sign in to comment
Or login with:
OpenID