Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Jeff Withey arrived in Lawrence a week ago without a coat.
Withey, a 6-foot-10 center and the newest Jayhawk after transferring from Arizona, never needed one growing up in San Diego or during his first college semester in Tucson, Ariz. Luckily for Withey, Adidas provides student-athletes with free Kansas winter gear.
Even with the coat, Withey isn’t comfortable with the below-freezing conditions Kansas endures this time of year. But he’s not going to let the weather — or anything else — temper his enthusiasm about the opportunity he has at Kansas.
Freshman transfer Jeff Withey looks up to the student section after a timeout during Monday night's Big Monday game against Texas A&M. Withey is a freshman transfer from Arizona that chose to transfer even though he will be ineligible to play for a year. Withey will be able to practice with the Jayhawks during the rest of the season, but can only begin playing in games next January.
“I’m just excited to be here,” Withey said. “I just wish I could play right now.”
For now, Withey will have to settle for practicing with the Jayhawks and watching games from the end of the bench in a shirt and tie. Because he transferred, Withey will not be eligible to play for the Jayhawks until the end of the Fall 2009 semester.
Kansas coach Bill Self doesn’t necessarily view the delay as a negative. When Self looks at Withey, he sees the same thing everyone else does — a tall, skinny 18-year-old full of potential.
Withey’s height isn’t going anywhere, and his potential can only grow with a year’s worth of practices. That leaves Withey’s 220-pound size, which Self said he hoped would increase.
“He needs to put on some weight,” Self said. “I really believe we can get 20 pounds on him by the time he’s eligible. I think he’s going to have a chance to impact our program as one of those big guys in some capacity.”
Fans will have to take Self’s word for it, because it’s going to be a while before anyone sees Withey compete. By most accounts, Withey plays like a traditional center.
Withey says he likes to “face up, shoot the ball, drop-step, dunk the ball.”
“As you can physically see, he’s very tall and he’s very long,” Self said. “And he’s a very good shot-blocker and can alter shots and run, and he has great touch.”
breakbox
Other notable KU transfers
Rodrick Stewart (USC)
Stewart was part of the team that won Kansas’ third national title in San Antonio last March. Unfortunately, Stewart’s defensive ability and toughness were relegated to the bench at the Final Four after he dislocated his kneecap in practice.
Luke Axtell (Texas)
Roy Williams coaxed this 6-foot-10 sharp-shooter to campus from Austin in 2000, but he never lived up to his potential because of illness and injury. Axtell was known more for his flowing locks and faulty back than for his time on the court while at Kansas.
Lester Earl (Louisiana State)
Earl arrived at Kansas in 1998 under a cloud of media scrutiny after allegations that he received thousands of dollars from LSU assistant coaches. Despite his freakish athletic ability, Earl never managed to dominate like he was expected to in Lawrence.
Jerod Haase (California)
One of the defining players of the Roy Williams era, Haase played with Jason Kidd at California before coming to Kansas. He played alongside Raef LaFrentz and Paul Pierce in the mid-1990s and now occupies a seat next to Williams as a North Carolina assistant coach.
Rex Walters (Northwestern)
Walters transferred to Kansas in 1991 after two years in Chicago. He helped Roy Williams’ team reach the Final Four in 1993 and eventually went on to play seven years in the NBA. He is now the coach at the University of San Francisco.
During his senior year at Horizon High School in San Diego, Withey averaged 21 points, 13 rebounds, seven blocks and four assists. His productivity made him a highly sought-after recruit out of high school. Rivals.com ranked Withey as the No. 36 prospect and eighth-best center in the nation last year.
That’s how his topsy-turvy recruiting tale began. Withey took an unofficial visit to Kansas for Late Night in the Phog in 2006. The Jayhawks were one of the finalists to get Withey’s commitment before he decided on Louisville.
Temporarily.
Withey changed his mind before signing a letter of intent and instead committed to Arizona and coach Lute Olson. Then, Olson announced his retirement before the season.
Withey and his parents said they felt betrayed. He asked to be released from his letter of intent. Eventually, Arizona obliged.
Withey re-opened his recruitment and schools such as Kansas, Texas, Cincinnati and San Diego State courted him. Kansas stuck out because of Withey’s relationship with the coaches and the development of sophomore center Cole Aldrich.
“The coaches are a great group of guys,” Withey said. “And you can see how great of coaches they are by the way Cole has gotten so much better in the last year.”
Withey first met Aldrich in 2006 while they both were visiting Kansas for Late Night. Now, the two are facing off daily in practice. Withey’s recruiting journey has come full circle.
Withey said he knew Aldrich would help him improve. Aldrich is similarly joyful to have another near 7-footer to practice against.
“He’s a great kid, great athlete and great in the classroom — all-around,” Aldrich said. “It’s exciting to get another big body down there to bang.”
Weather be darned, Withey said he believed he wound up in the perfect situation.
“I just looked at it and decided this was the best place for me to get better and hopefully go to the NBA,” Withey said.
— — Edited by Brandy Entsminger
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