Four years ago, senior guard Sherron Collins didn’t know how to speak to a crowd. He didn’t care if he graduated. He didn’t think he would be emotional about leaving Kansas.

Standing on the podium reflecting on his life and career Monday, Collins didn’t stumble on any words. He will be walking down the hill this spring. And he assured his last game at the Fieldhouse would involve tears.

The man who stood at that podium was the result of a tale 22 years in the making.

“It’s a pretty remarkable story if you really get down to it,” Kansas coach Bill Self said.

Growing up in inner-city Chicago, Collins dealt with an unstable environment. His father spent most of his time in jail. Gang life surrounded his neighborhood and he witnessed his best friend’s murder.

Collins had his mother, Stacey Harris, his brother, Steve Collins, and his uncle, Walt Harris, to look to for guidance. From an early age, Sherron took up basketball and it kept him safe.

Now Collins is trying to be the role model for those in tough situations, whether that is leading the No.1 team on national television or doing hands-on work off the court.

“It shocked me a lot to see him grow up to what he is,” Steve said. “He helps out a lot of kids in the neighborhood. When they see him do what he does, it gives them hope.”

Sherron and Steve played basketball at the Boys and Girls Club of Chicago. Sherron would play as much as possible every day. He even sneaked in at times because he was bored at home.

Collins travels back to the club to inspire kids to follow in his footsteps.

“I know a lot of people support me,” Collins said. “I try to show as much support to them as I can too because I know how tough it is coming in with a situation like that.”

But not everyone has the same benefits Collins had as a child.

His mother worked two jobs to support him and his brother. Steve helped Sherron as an older figure he could look up to. He showed Sherron how to be tough at young age.

“I was always pushing him,” Steve said. “I was better than him. I would bully him then he just worked hard. He got bigger than me and the rest is history.”

As he got older, Sherron started opening eyes around the Chicago area. He was a talented pitcher, wide receiver and basketball player. But the court is where he made his mark.

Basketball kept him out of trouble. Nobody pressured him to participate in a gang. But everyone came to watch, and he earned the respect of the witnesses and victims of his basketball prowess.

At Richard T. Crane Tech High School, Collins averaged 33 points, eight rebounds and six assists in his senior season

“When I was coming up, I had to make my name against somebody that was a household name,” Collins said. “That’s just how it is in Chicago.”

When Collins came to Kansas, his new life began.

“I was kind of set on coming here already,” Collins said. “It was between Kansas and Illinois. But after Late Night, I was sold. I was ready to commit immediately.”

But it wasn’t an easy transition.

Dealing with the death of his 10-day old baby, Sherron Jr., and the culture change from Chicago to Lawrence, Collins came into camp overweight.

Self told him to lose almost 30 pounds or he wouldn’t play.

Surrounded by a cast of lighthearted and selfless upperclassmen — Russell Robinson, Brandon Rush and Julian Wright to name a few — Collins lost the weight and his mindset began to change.

“I tried to be a great mentor for him,” Robinson said. “We had some talent and everybody was so positive and that made him want to be a great team player.”

After a slow start, Collins elevated his game beyond most expectations.

“He was bad at times his freshman year,” Self said. “I mean bad. But by January and the middle of February, he was the best basketball player on our team.”

Collins turned it around thanks to his coach and teammates. Collins said they gave him the tools for success and he used them.

“I attribute all that to him having a positive attitude and being mentally tough through all the adversity he’s been through,” Robinson said. “Everything he’s done was expected.”

Collins still had a rough time fitting into such a strange location. It’s as if Lawrence moved too slow for him.

“His freshman year, it was a shell-shock — the change from Chicago, a big city, to Lawrence, Kansas,” junior guard Brady Morningstar said.

It all changed with a visit to his coach’s house.

The first time Collins went to visit Self, he was stunned. Collins didn’t recognize the feelings of such a peaceful house in a safe neighborhood. He preferred it to his Chicago lifestyle. That was the moment Self knew he had something special.

“I think that all coaches have a soft spot in their heart for kids that do it against all odds,” Self said. “He came into this situation really needing a place to change his thought process and to mold him to what he could potentially become and he embraced that.”

As he grew into a leader on the court, he also had to become more of one off the court.

Collins had his second son Sherr’mari, who will be three in April, and daughter Sharee’ Monea, who was born Feb. 15. The smile on his face whenever his kids are mentioned tells the story.

“I think that’s what woke me up,” Collins said.

Self and Collins had a talk about growing up when his son was born. Collins’ mother gave him everything and his father gave him nothing. Those factors motivate Collins to be a selfless son and father.

“It was hard on my mother and I think it’s time for her to rest,” Collins said. “And for my son, I just want to be there for him like my father wasn’t there for me.”

Collins says he often talks to his father, who lives in Chicago. His father always tells him to be there for his son and not make the mistakes he did.

And this spring Collins will be the first person from his family to graduate. He doesn’t have to wake up every morning and worry about any violence.

He loves how he escaped a dreadful lifestyle. He loves this city. He loves how this city loves him.

“I realized everything was safe,” Collins said. “Nice town. It’s perfect.”

— — Edited by Taylor Bern