Nick Bradford has been doing some extra running in preparation for KU's preseason conditioning workouts.
In four years, Nick Bradford has gone from a solid high school basketball player to a returning starter at one of the top college programs in the country.
How?
Offseason work habits of Bradford, Kansas University's versatile 6-foot-6 guard/forward from Fayetteville, Ark., might provide a clue.
"I've been doing a little extra conditioning before we start for real," Bradford said late last week.
The Jayhawk men's basketball team begins official preseason conditioning workouts this week and will continue up to the official start of practice with Late Night With Roy Williams on Oct. 15.
"I'm doing a little extra running so I won't feel too bad when we get started. (Jeff) Boschee, Terry (Nooner), Luke (Axtell) and I do six to eight 33s (sprints up and down court) before we lift or play.
"Over the summer I lifted four days a week and shot every day. In June, most of us were here. We got in a lot of pick-up games. In July, John (Crider), Luke and I did some shooting drills and worked on coming off screens."
Bradford concentrated on all aspects of his game in individual workouts, also.
"I worked on my range to make sure I'm a threat next year for the team and to open the floor for my teammates," said Bradford. He hit 51.3 percent of his floor shots (26 percent of his threes), and 60.2 percent of his free throws for the 23-10 Jayhawks.
"I also worked on my ballhandling. I definitely want to get in the lane and be able to create some shots for our shooters like Luke and Jeff."
Bradford, a 190-pounder who was used at both power forward and center last year because of injuries, did not spend any time working on his inside game over the summer.
"I practiced for any of the perimeter positions," Bradford said. "I wanted to do some ballhandling for the one (point guard) and shooting for two (shooting) guard. Two and three (small forward) are basically the same.
"We've got a lot of big men this year and hopefully I won't have to play the four or five," he added, referring to power forward and center. "I didn't prepare myself for that, but if it comes down to that, I'll do it.
"We've got so many four men with Ashante (Johnson), Drew (Gooden), Nick (Collison), Lester (Earl), Jeff Carey. Everybody will be fighting for a position. The only guaranteed spot in my mind is Eric (Chenowith at center).
"I see a lot of guys battling at the two and three spot," Bradford continued. "We could have various lineups with Marlon (London), Luke, Kenny (Gregory) and myself. If coach wants, he could play Ashante at the four and some three.
"With Kirk (Hinrich) in there ... Kirk can play two or he can play the one with Boschee at two. We're definitely going to be a deep team this year. Coach could do a lot of different things."
Who would Bradford start this season if he was coach Roy Williams?
"I'm comfortable with anybody," he said, diplomatically. "Freshmen generally go slower. Kirk coming in here is pushing Jeff Boschee every day. People will be surprised. Kirk is a good player. Drew and Nick are playing well and Ashante is coming along so well from his knee problems (last season). People have not seen what he can do."
Knowing it will be a competitive camp, Bradford wants to be prepared physically to make a bid for a starting spot. He is one of KU's strongest defensive players and in fact welcomes a defensive role.
"Usually the best scorer is their (opponents) two or three. I want to be the guy to guard him," Bradford said. "At point guard, it's a little tougher to guard those small quick guys. I'm not saying I can't do it. I'll do that, but it's easier to bang inside. It's tougher chasing those little guys around. Really I'll do anything coach asks. It's all fun to me."
-- Gary Bedore's phone number is 832-7186. His e-mail address is gbedore@ljworld.com
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