Dee and Deron recruited Sherron Collins to Kansas

[whitesoxfan101]

http://www.kansas.com/mld/kansas/sports/co...tz/16915285.htm

 

Collins' safe havens: first sports, now KU

CHICAGO - The doors to Sherron Collins' former high school are locked. They don't even have handles on which to pull. To get in, visitors have to knock and hope there is someone listening on the other side.

 

The principal at Chicago's Crane Tech Prep, six blocks southwest of the United Center, must approve every visitor.

 

"This place used to get a lot of negative publicity, and he wants to make sure there's none of that," said the security guard who finally did open one of the doors.

 

This area, on South Jackson on Chicago's west side, used to be one of the most dangerous in town. Now it's been cleaned up some. Police cars cruise the streets, back and forth. People walk with their eyes focused straight ahead.

 

Collins, a freshman basketball sensation at Kansas, is back home. Then again, this is a home he was ready to leave.

 

"It was a wild experience going to school there," Collins said of Crane Tech. "Wild and sometimes cool. There were a lot of fights in the hallways. I think I did a good job of staying out of trouble. People respected you there if you played sports."

 

Collins played them all. Besides being one of the top guards the city has produced in recent years, he was a tremendous receiver and returner in football and a tough pitcher and skilled hitter in baseball.

 

Collins found his escape early. When he left school, he went straight to the nearby Boys and Girls Club and played sports. Collins worked on his dribbling and his shooting. He was inside doing sports while so many of his friends were outside doing other things.

 

Things they shouldn't have been doing.

 

Things Collins could easily have done without his strong support system that included his mother and uncle.

 

Collins' best friend was murdered a few years ago, near where Collins lived. He could hear the gunshots. The kid died at 16, needlessly and senselessly.

 

Last summer, Collins lost his 10-day-old son, who died from a lung infection.

 

Lawrence has been a safe haven, a place where Collins only has to think of two things -- basketball and school.

 

"It's quiet, there aren't a lot of things to do," Collins said. "You've got to spend time with your teammates and your coaches and make fun amongst yourselves. There's definitely more to do in Chicago, but there's a lot more trouble to get into, too."

 

Collins had it from an early age athletically. Everyone who saw him could tell.

 

He was powerful, fast, intelligent and determined. You had to kill him to beat him.

 

"A natural," said Collins' high school basketball coach, Anthony Longstreet. "As far as competitors I've coached, he's at the top of the list. This is a kid who hates to lose."

 

Collins reminded Longstreet of another Crane Tech alum, Will Bynum, who went on to play at Arizona and Georgia Tech. They had the same bowling-ball build and the same win-at-all-costs mentality.

 

"When Sherron got here, it was like seeing the ghost of Will Bynum," Longstreet said. "It was unreal the similarities they had."

 

Bynum was more explosive to the basket, maybe, but Collins was a better shooter. But they both had that thing that every coach recognizes but can't really define. They just know it helps them win games.

 

Kansas coach Bill Self saw it. That's why he went to the mat with his former school, Illinois, to recruit Collins. He won out with the help of a couple former Illini players, Deron Williams and Dee Brown, who told Collins how much fun they had playing for Self.

 

"Chicago is a great place to recruit, in large part because the kids in this area are tough," Self said. "That was one of the things that drew us to Sherron."

 

However, Self was prepared to go to war with Collins because he expected the player to be hard-headed and to have an aversion to direction.

 

"I thought he was going to need to be broken down, and I couldn't have been more wrong," Self said. "He's been a sponge from the first day he's been at Kansas. He's wanted to do everything we've asked him to do, except eat right from time to time."

 

Collins' weight was an issue early this season, when he packed around 220 pounds on his 5-foot-11 frame. But he has lost 20 pounds and now he comes off the bench like a hurricane. There are times -- more and more as the season progressed -- when he's the Jayhawks' best player.

 

Collins needed this focus on sports. It allowed him to avoid the distractions that come with being raised in the inner city. His father is in prison, a former gang member with a drug addiction. His mom kept the family going by working from before dawn until well after dusk. He had other family members who helped pick up the pieces.

 

Now here he is, another KU basketball rock star, destined to find his place among all the Jayhawk greats.

 

"For being an inner-city guy who could have gone a million different directions he stayed focused," Self said. "As a player, Sherron is just scratching what he can become. And I think he's the same as a person.

 

"He's one of the few guys who, when he walks into a room, everybody turns to look. He's got that presence about him, that great smile. Over time, I think he'll be a great ambassador for whatever he's doing."

 

Collins will be playing a basketball game today just a few blocks from where he witnessed tragedy. It's not lost on him.

 

"This is a dream come true," he said. "And my 20th birthday is Sunday and that's another dream come true."

 

Collins appreciates birthdays like only an inner-city survivor can.

 

I'm sure the idiotboard people over at scout are denying the accuracy of this, but I believe it. Bruce is recruiting against his own ex players, speaks a lot about him. Not as much as his handeling of Jamar Smith speaks about him, but it explains why he's bringing in classes that would be mediocre by SIU standards, let alone Illinois. In a way, I almost hope Kansas wins just like to a degree Illinois missing the dance would have had the same effect in the sense that maybe fans of Bruce Weber who are in denial of the fact the program is going to hell in a hurry here, on and off the court.

 

But then again, Bruce is supporting a player who left his still concussed and mentally injured teammate (yeah Brian is still hurtin) for dead, AND getting support for it from all Illini fans outside the smart ones (aka the ones on this board), so maybe I'm wrong.

Edited March 16, 2007 by whitesoxfan101

[fathom]

He's not the only Kansas player who Dee told to go there over Illinois.

[WHarris1]

but it explains why he's bringing in classes that would be mediocre by SIU standards,

Pretty sure SIU would kill for our 07 class

[hitlesswonder]

He's not the only Kansas player who Dee told to go there over Illinois.

 

I heard Wright was the other one. What makes the story even more damning is that Dee Brown was still playing basketball for UI when he told Collins to go to Kansas. Both Self and Brown have suggested that Dee will be an assistant at Kansas after his playing career is over. It's pretty clear Weber is not a coach that inspires either loyalty or respect from his players. I'm really starting to think that Illinois should just drop it's basketball program to save itself the embarassment.

 

Pretty sure SIU would kill for our 07 class

 

Oh, I don't think so. Avg "star" ranking for a 2007 UI recruit is 3, for SIU it's 2.5. Not much difference. And word is that Quinton Watkins is going to drop his verbal commmit to UI and reopen his recruitment. AZ supposedly is interested in him since they are expecting to lose players to the draft. Weber is having a hard time getting any players, let alone highly regarded ones, to play for him.

[Rowand44]

Oh, I don't think so. Avg "star" ranking for a 2007 UI recruit is 3, for SIU it's 2.5. Not much difference. And word is that Quinton Watkins is going to drop his verbal commmit to UI and reopen his recruitment. AZ supposedly is interested in him since they are expecting to lose players to the draft. Weber is having a hard time getting any players, let alone highly regarded ones, to play for him.

If Bocot can get himself eligible, then I'll take our class but going by star rating just isn't accurate. Fay would be a 4 star right now if he didn't committ to SIU so early, I guarantee that and I certainly wouldn't trade him for Tisdale or Cole. Overall, I actually believe that Illinois has a pretty underrated class but I like what we have coming in.

[hitlesswonder]

If Bocot can get himself eligible, then I'll take our class but going by star rating just isn't accurate. Fay would be a 4 star right now if he didn't committ to SIU so early, I guarantee that and I certainly wouldn't trade him for Tisdale or Cole. Overall, I actually believe that Illinois has a pretty underrated class but I like what we have coming in.

 

I agree that the star rating isn't very accurate, but it gives some estimation of a player's ability. And I thought it was accurate enough to point out that the UI class isn't particularly better than SIU's.

[WHarris1]

Come on...I know hating everything Illinois recruiting is the cool thing to do, but how can you say SIU's class is better than Illinois?

 

This Illinois class would give SIU their first 2 4 star players in forever yet it would only be mediocre. Yep.

Edited March 16, 2007 by WHarris1

[Soxbadger]

How are Deron or Dee a Weber player?

 

Both were recruited by Self, and then when Self left both inherited Weber.

 

Its not like Weber brought any of these guys in.

 

If anything it shows a complete lack of loyalty by Dee and Deron, and if that ever was to happen with a Wisconsin player I gaurantee a blackball would be a coming.

[hitlesswonder]

If anything it shows a complete lack of loyalty by Dee and Deron, and if that ever was to happen with a Wisconsin player I gaurantee a blackball would be a coming.

 

I don't see how Williams and Brown were "disloyal", they were asked their honest opinion on which situation would be better and told Collins what they felt. I think it's commendable that they actually told Collins the truth, instead of suggesting he go to Illinois just because they played there. And as you say, both were Self's recruits and strongly considered transferring when he left for Kansas. It's not like they chose to play for Weber.

 

As for loyalty, it's not a secret that Weber was less than supportive of Brown's attempt to go pro after the 05-06 season. Weber put his own career at UI ahead the wishes and best interests of his player, and I'm sure that Brown hasn't forgotten that. Loyalty should be two-way street.

[thedoctor]

this isn't really surprising. dee and deron were recruited by self and have always been fond of him. that they said he was "fun" to play for isn't really any kind of revelation.

 

besides, i'm fairly certain that dee and deron were not the reasons collins went to kansas. i'll leave it at that.

 

also, in regards to julian wright, i am again not surprised. dee almost left when self did and it took him awhile to get used to weber, no surprise there considering the two have vastly different personalities.

 

this whole story is much ado about nothing, imo.

Edited March 16, 2007 by thedoctor

[Kyyle23]

I heard Bruce caused global warming in Champaign too. he also contributed to the decline of modern civilization by having a high pitched voice.

[thedoctor]

I heard Bruce caused global warming in Champaign too. he also contributed to the decline of modern civilization by having a high pitched voice.

 

lol.

 

it's apparently a pile-on year.

[Kyyle23]

lol.

 

it's apparently a pile-on year.

 

Bruce was behind the 8 ball when he left SIU, he was never in a win situation with Selfs shadow looming. If Gordon would have stayed true to his word, WS101 would still b*tch about who he missed on and how bad of a coach he is. And he isnt the only one

[hitlesswonder]

I heard Bruce caused global warming in Champaign too. he also contributed to the decline of modern civilization by having a high pitched voice.

 

Actually, I heard that Global Warming refused to come to Champaign because Weber is there. Rumors are that it is currently headed to either Kansas or Indiana

[Kyyle23]

Actually, I heard that Global Warming refused to come to Champaign because Weber is there. Rumors are that it is currently headed to either Kansas or Indiana

 

LOL

[Soxbadger]

You say loyalty should be a two way street and that some how Weber was disloyal first but:

 

strongly considered transferring when he left for Kansas. It's not like they chose to play for Weber.

 

That shows that it was Deron and Dee that had a problem, not Weber.

 

And Im sorry but if you are a member of a team, and you are telling people that your team is not the best, thats disloyalty. Thats being disloyal to the rest of your teammates who are battling with you and practicing every day. I wonder how Dee and Deron would have felt if when they were Frosh etc, if the Upper classmen were dissuading younger players from coming to the Illini.

 

I dont see where Weber betrayed any of them. Dee should not have left for the pros, as it is even after senior year he was not going to be a good pro.

 

And theres a difference between telling the truth and "if you dont have anything nice to say dont say anything at all".

 

Cant really imagine it ever going over well a player on a team dissuading future players from coming to that school. If they didnt like Illinois, then they can have their names erased from all the school records for that season.

[thedoctor]

As for loyalty, it's not a secret that Weber was less than supportive of Brown's attempt to go pro after the 05-06 season. Weber put his own career at UI ahead the wishes and best interests of his player, and I'm sure that Brown hasn't forgotten that. Loyalty should be two-way street.

 

i don't think it had anything to do with loyalty. it had to do with the fact that dee was not projected to be taken in the draft after his junior season. scouts said he could improve his position by coming back and playing a more true point, which would be his position in the nba. weber relayed that just like he relayed to deron that he should go. this is what just about every coach does.

[hitlesswonder]

i don't think it had anything to do with loyalty. it had to do with the fact that dee was not projected to be taken in the draft after his junior season. scouts said he could improve his position by coming back and playing a more true point, which would be his position in the nba. weber relayed that just like he relayed to deron that he should go. this is what just about every coach does.

 

Well, if that's the case, then I stand corrected. The stories I remember reading at the time seemed to empahsize Brown feeling Weber wasn't supprting him and mentioned that Weber had no PG to replace him if he left. Certainly, if Weber really was just trying to advise Brown with regard to what would be best for his career, there's nothing disloyal in that.

[thedoctor]

Well, if that's the case, then I stand corrected. The stories I remember reading at the time seemed to empahsize Brown feeling Weber wasn't supprting him and mentioned that Weber had no PG to replace him if he left. Certainly, if Weber really was just trying to advise Brown with regard to what would be best for his career, there's nothing disloyal in that.

 

i don't doubt dee was pissed at the time. but considering his actions since then (he's been back on campus numerous times hosting recruits, including over this past nba weekend) i tend to doubt he harbors some grudge against weber.

[Jimbo's Drinker]

Well thanks Dee and Deron.

 

Coaching changes are tough, Miles and Langford did not listen to Self when he first got here, and were loyal to Roy.

Edited March 16, 2007 by Jimbo's Drinker

[Buehrle>Wood]

He's not the only Kansas player who Dee told to go there over Illinois.

Nice to see fathom again trying to get in a subtle dig in at Illinois on a situation he knows nothing about.

 

 

And, jesus, I've never seen a bigger group of over reactors in my life.

[Rowand44]

Come on...I know hating everything Illinois recruiting is the cool thing to do, but how can you say SIU's class is better than Illinois?

 

This Illinois class would give SIU their first 2 4 star players in forever yet it would only be mediocre. Yep.

Like I said, Fay would be a 4 star if he didn't verbal to SIU so early and a lot of people say that Bocot is about as talented an offensive guard as there is, I love what we got coming in. As for the Illini's class, it's very underrated imo and that has nothing to do with star rating. I couldn't care less how many stars some people have next to their name especially when it comes to these recruiting services. Fay on one of the sites(don't remember which one) dropped right when he verballed to SIU. If you committ early to a so called mid major then a lot of times your stock wont go up, it's just how it is.

 

Bruce was behind the 8 ball when he left SIU, he was never in a win situation with Selfs shadow looming. If Gordon would have stayed true to his word, WS101 would still b*tch about who he missed on and how bad of a coach he is. And he isnt the only one

Yup.

[SleepyWhiteSox]

Bruce was behind the 8 ball when he left SIU, he was never in a win situation with Selfs shadow looming. If Gordon would have stayed true to his word, WS101 would still b*tch about who he missed on and how bad of a coach he is. And he isnt the only one

 

I don't buy that at all. He was in an amazing situation in which he was able to take a group of talented players all the way to the championship game right off the bat, immediately surpassing self. self is no bobby knight, and how many people were still talking about self after they made it to the championship? His downfall clearly has been his inability to turn on-court success into getting big-time recruits.

[whitesoxfan101]

Bruce was behind the 8 ball when he left SIU, he was never in a win situation with Selfs shadow looming. If Gordon would have stayed true to his word, WS101 would still b*tch about who he missed on and how bad of a coach he is. And he isnt the only one

 

Absolute 100 percent bull s***. Here is why I don't like Bruce:

 

1. The losses of Collins, Wright, Scheyer (WHO WAS COACHED BY HIS BROTHER!), Gordon, Rose, Beverly, Jasper, Crawford, Tucker, and so on. Just the names off hand would make a great ENTIRE TEAM, and those were all guys he could have for sure gotten.

 

2. Not kicking Jamar off the team, and having him ON THE BENCH after he drove drunk, didn't call 911, nearly killed somebody, nearly killed his teammate, and generally ruined his life.

 

3. The suspension of only 4 games of two time DUI offender Rich McBride.

 

4. Having a team that is 300th in the nation in free throw percentage (yeah, free throws are coaching IMO).

 

5. Refusing to fire his assistants because they can't recruit at all.

 

6. Destroying all good will with the CPL.

 

7. His own ex players from a 37-2 team are recruiting against him.

 

None of those things are because Self left and Bruce was never in a win situation. They are because Bruce is a complete idiot.

 

Come on...I know hating everything Illinois recruiting is the cool thing to do, but how can you say SIU's class is better than Illinois?

 

This Illinois class would give SIU their first 2 4 star players in forever yet it would only be mediocre. Yep.

 

 

Yeah, the SIU fans are getting too excited. Fay should be a 4 star, but Illinois still has a noticeably better class this year. This years Illini class is actually somewhat adequate to Big 10 standards for the first time since 2003.

[fathom]

Nice to see fathom again trying to get in a subtle dig in at Illinois on a situation he knows nothing about.

 

Considering we all know what player I'm referring to, and that some of us are from the south suburbs, maybe I might just know this person's coach and best friend?

 

http://www.sportsline.com/collegebasketball/story/10064832

 

Some more positive vibes for the program. I know there's a lot of good people who are Illini fans on here, but there needs to be some changes made with this athletic dept.