Thursday, September 6, 2007
Steve Nash is a South African born, Canadian raised two-time NBA MVP for the Phoenix Suns. Sherron Collins is a Chicago-bred sophomore guard for a Final Four contender.
A little different? Uh, yeah. But Collins, who’s listed at 5-foot-11, found a common link in their size.
“You see him on TV a lot,” Collins said, “and you’re like, ‘man that’s Steve Nash. He’s so good.’ Then when he’s that close you see how little he is and still able to do the things he does. I’m not that big either so to meet him — just a thrill.”
Collins and fellow guard Mario Chalmers learned from Nash for three days in early July at the Steve Nash Skills Academy in Union, N.J. Both said they came back with more knowledge of the point guard position and newly-learned techniques they can show off while leading the Jayhawks this season.
At first, Collins and Chalmers didn’t think they’d learn any new skills from Nash because Kansas coach Bill Self originally told them they’d just be working at the camp.
Later, Collins and Chalmers discovered they’d actually be competing and doing drills with eight of the other top point guards in the country.
Each day of camp started with drills that focused on passing, dribbling and jump shooting. Then the players would scrimmage each other five-on-five. On the final day, the college guards played against a group of the best high school guards.
“Mario and I did a good job against those guys,” Collins said. “We really made a name for ourselves and stood out.”
NBA scouts watched almost all of it. That was particularly pleasing to Chalmers.
Chalmers, perhaps more than Collins, had something to gain from this camp. He hasn’t been Kansas’ main point guard since the middle of his freshman season. Self moved him to shooting guard where he’s stayed since and excelled, averaging 12.2 points per game last season.
Chalmers said it’s up to Self to decide where he’ll play this season and that he’d be willing to play either guard position. But that won’t be the case in the NBA. He’ll have to play the point because of his 6-foot-1 height. The camp allowed Chalmers to learn the position and show scouts he’ll be ready for the pros.
“It was a great opportunity to learn from one of the best point guards in the world,” Chalmers said. “This camp gave me some ideas of what it will be like playing at the next level. Anytime you can do that, it’s a great opportunity.”
Unlike Chalmers, Collins played point guard most of the time last season. He developed a reputation for coming through at the end of games. His clutch scoring helped lead Kansas to victory against Kansas State and Missouri.
Now as a sophomore, Collins said he’d have more responsibility. His lessons from Nash will certainly help with that. He said Nash’s camp taught him intangibles and fundamentals that he’d never learned anywhere else.
Nash gave Chalmers and Collins a few other tips about point guarding too. But they won’t display those until the season starts.
“He showed us a lot of tricks,” Collins said. “I’m not going to say because I don’t want anyone to know our little tricks. It’s about getting more out of the pick and roll, but it’s also little things people can’t see.”
— Edited by Meghan Murphy
Chalmers faces tough competition in draft
Mario Chalmers will be entering the NBA Draft without an agent, meaning ...
Chalmers’ second round pick belies his worth
The former KU guard's slip into the second round might have proven ...
Mario Chalmers still ambitious, three years later
A book signing at the Oread Hotel Saturday showed fans’ loyalty to ...
What a difference a season can make
With a look ahead to the tournaments, here is a look back ...
Collins secures his legacy
Collins earns his place in Kansas basketball lore with his historic 124th ...
Aldrich, Reed learn the ropes
Kansas coach Bill Self said freshmen Cole Adrich and Tyrel Reed were ...
Two at a time
No outside shot was no problem for the Kansas Jayhawks. They fought ...
Basketball players make plans for next year
Several Kansas players received attention from scouts this year, but Mario Chalmers ...
Collins sits on the borderline in the ...
Sherron Collins has undeniable talent, but size could hurt him in the ...
Rush earns All Big 12 First Team ...
Collins wins Sixth Man of the Year; Chalmers, Robinson named to Big ...
Searching for a leader
With an out-of-shape Collins, Aldrich may head the team.
Jayhawks move on after losing star player ...
The Kansas men’s basketball team has started preparing for next season without ...
Morning Brew: Pick your player
Two first year NBA players have similar records, but remarkably different salaries.
Summer leagues offer beneficial practice for former ...
Mario Chalmers shows off his potential to Miami and guarantees himself a ...
Men's Basketball Notes
Collins is slow to recover from knee injury, and the Jayhawks look ...
The spark off the bench
Sherron Collins served in a backup role to help Kansas win the ...
Dodd: Tuesday night brings fond memories for ...
National Championship banner elicits strong emotions
Quiet guard, fierce battle cry
Chalmers, an Anchorage, Alaska native, delivers an enigmatic persona: strong on the ...
No pressure when under pressure
Junior guard Mario Chalmers' late-game production is unmatched; he typically scores 19 ...
Collins ready to take up the challenge
Self has shown he knows how to motivate the junior guard.
Collins and Taylor share a special relationship
The two players are as close as brothers and have helped each ...
Three little guards make a big effect
The point guard trio of Russell Robinson, Sherron Collins and Mario Chalmers ...
For the love of the game
Several one-time KU basketball players have missed out on the riches of ...
Cavs give ex-Jayhawk a chance, contract
Darnell Jackson signs contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers while Sasha Kaun will ...
Summer full of injuries for basketball team
Brandon Rush tore his ACL and withdrew from the NBA draft to ...
Chalmers ready for Kansas' courts
Profiling the legends: Rush and Chalmers
Brandon Rush and Mario return to Allen Fieldhouse next weekend for Legends ...
High expectations for KU alumni in the ...
All eyes, especially Cole Aldrich’s, are on NBA rookies Brandon Rush, Mario ...
A look at Jayhawks in the NBA
A glimpse into where the Jayhawks are now and what NBA team ...
Collins finds second chance in Charlotte's summer ...
After being passed over in the NBA draft, Sherron Collins is taking ...
Chalmers to stay in the NBA Draft
Chalmers will forfeit his final year of eligibility at Kansas to pursue ...
Sherron Collins fills big shoes
Subbing for injured Russell Robinson, Collins plays a strong game. His nervousness ...
Collins reasserts himself in Kansas lineup
Sophomore guard Sherron Collins, now averaging 14.7 points per game, has made ...
Rush to overcome injury
After healing the scars of a negative family legacy as a freshman, ...
Morning Brew: A look at Jayhawks in ...
Jayhawks off to the NBA
Brandon Rush and Darrel Arthur declared their intention to enter the NBA ...
Dent: Rush’s best choice may be to ...
When the staying at Kansas and going pro are placed side-by-side, Brandon ...
Former forward struggles to play
Collins and Clemente rivals again
Sherron Collins and K-State's Denis Clemente are vying for a coveted NBA ...
Sherron Collins prepares for senior night
Collins plans to "wing" his senior night speech after the game Wednesday ...
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