Nick Collison used to gaze into the rafters of Allen Fieldhouse and wonder if someday his jersey might hang with Wilt’s and Danny’s and all the other Kansas University basketball greats.

“I thought about it quite a bit, looking up every day in practice and seeing those names up there,” said Collison, whose No. 4 jersey officially was retired at halftime of Tuesday’s Kansas-Michigan State game.

“I always thought it would be something that would be really cool because it’ll be up there forever. I definitely thought about it a lot, especially last year when I thought I had a chance.”

Collison, Seattle’s top pick in the 2003 NBA Draft who is sitting out this season because of shoulder injuries, said he was humbled by the honor, made possible by his being named NABC national player of the year and consensus first-team All-American.

“It’s an unbelievable honor, just to be recognized in any way by this great university,” said Collison, joined by his mother, father, sister, brother, brother-in-law and uncle at Tuesday’s game.

“To have it permanent up there … maybe some other players will look up there and it’ll inspire them like it did me.”

Collison’s college coach, Roy Williams, did not make the trip.

“I talked to him two days ago and today,” Collison said. “He said he’d like to be here, but obviously that would be a tough thing to happen. I told him I wouldn’t let him come, anyway,” added Collison, aware Williams likely would receive a hostile reception from many fans still upset he left KU for North Carolina.

Collison is recovering from surgery on the left shoulder he dislocated last summer. He’ll have surgery on his right shoulder around Christmas and is expected to be fully recovered from both surgeries next July.

Kansas University great Nick Collison shows his jersey to the Allen Fieldhouse crowd. Collison's No. 4 jersey was retired at halftime of the Jayhawks' 81-74 victory Tuesday over Michigan State.

“It (sitting out) is not as bad as I thought it’d be,” said the 6-foot-9 Iowa Falls, Iowa native, who ranks second at KU in career points, third in rebounds and second in blocked shots. “I’ve tried to concentrate on rehab. It is pretty boring for me. I watch practice, do rehab, go home and watch TV. I’ve not traveled with the team yet. I don’t know if I will start doing that or not.”

He said he was following KU and North Carolina on TV this year after buying a national TV package from a cable company.

He watched with interest as Wayne Simien, who had right-shoulder surgery performed by the same doctor who operated on Collison, hopped right up uninjured after falling hard on the right shoulder in KU’s opener against Tennessee Chattanooga.

“I saw Wayne’s fall,” Collison said. “It made me feel pretty confident. He was fine, got right up.”

¢

Guests: Joe Krabbenhoft, a 6-8 junior forward from Sioux Falls, S.D., attended on an unofficial recruiting visit. Also in the stands were ex-Jayhawk Eric Chenowith, seated next to Royals Hall of Famer George Brett and Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez.

Jayhawks slam Spartans Woodling: Simien, Miles key for KU KU ceremony honors Collison Spartans bemoan turnovers WIBW video: Jayhawks impressive in win over Michigan State 6News video: Vitale visits Oread Get the stats: KU-MSU box score Hear Bill: KU-MSU postgame comments See the photos: KU-Michigan State

¢

Stats, facts: Simien’s 18 points in the first half were most in a half since Kirk Hinrich hit for 18 in the second stanza against Baylor Feb. 2, 2001. … Dating to last season, Simien has hit 23 straight free throws.