Tuesday, April 8, 2008
San Antonio, Texas — Twenty years from now, the record books will lie.
The numbers will paint a picture of the 2008 Kansas Jayhawks as the favorite: a top-seeded juggernaut that never faced overwhelming odds.
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The world adores an underdog. For that reason, the numbers won’t cast the Kansas Jayhawks as lovable champions.
What seedings and records won’t explain are the smaller Cinderella stories: the individual tales of tragedy and the ultimate redemption gained in the Jayhawks’ 75-68 victory on college basketball’s grandest stage.
—
Just more than one year ago, Darnell Jackson’s career at Kansas nearly ended. The senior forward wanted out. He wanted home. Jackson was one decision away from heading back home to Oklahoma City to help take care of his mother who was enduring tight financial times and struggling with an injury sustained in a car accident.
An impromptu meeting with coach Bill Self convinced Jackson to stay in Lawrence. Jackson’s choice was the start of a magical few months for the forward and his team. Jackson earned a starting job this season and made the most of his opportunity. The imposing 6-foot-8 post skyrocketed onto NBA scouts’ radar screens after going mostly unnoticed for the first three years of his career.
—
Less than one year ago, Brandon Rush’s career at Kansas started over. The junior guard was ready to leave for the greener pastures of the NBA when his knee betrayed him. The ligaments that had made him a phenomenal dunker and defender gave up, delaying his NBA dream.
Rush pulled his name from the draft and resigned himself to another year of playing without pay. Thirty-seven victories and an NCAA championship later, it turns out Rush’s year in basketball purgatory paid off.
—
Four years ago, Rodrick Stewart was a starter in the USC backcourt. The stocky freshman had the chance to play alongside his brother, Lodrick, and play big minutes at a major-conference school. Instead, Stewart transferred to Kansas and he sat on the bench for the better part of two seasons.
Stewart finally became a contributor this season, settling into a niche as a high-energy defensive specialist, but his personal struggles didn’t disappear. In February, his adopted brother was shot and killed in Seattle. One day before the national semifinal game, Stewart suffered a serious knee injury.
—
Since he signed with Kansas two years ago, Sherron Collins’ story has been one of separation. The diminutive guard lost one child to birth complications and lives nearly 600 miles from his son, Sherr’mari. Injuries have come between Collins and basketball on several occasions and he has fought an uphill battle to keep extra weight off of his naturally heavy frame.
Playing through pain, Collins scored 11 points against North Carolina and 11 against Memphis — another cog in the Jayhawks’ efficient offensive machine.
The world adores an underdog. For that reason, the numbers won’t cast the Kansas Jayhawks as lovable champions.
A deeper look at the baggage the Jayhawks carried through a remarkable season reveals more: The 2008 Kansas Jayhawks beat the odds.
— Edited by Jessica Sain-Baird
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