Kansas to honor Valentine

No. 14 to join legends in fieldhouse rafters

Darnell Valentine, the fifth-leading scorer, fifth-leading assist man and top free-throw shooter in Kansas University men’s basketball history, produced a plethora of points for KU from 1977 to ’81.

The 6-foot-2, 185-pound point guard from Wichita, who today will have his jersey No. 14 hung in the rafters of Allen Fieldhouse, best may be known, however, for something coaches usually appreciate more than fans — stout defense.

“Darnell was very good offensively,” former KU coach Ted Owens said, “but the thing that set him apart … the whole defense started with him. When the opponent’s point guard had trouble penetrating, when teams had trouble running the offense, it was because of Darnell.

“He’s one of the hardest workers I’ve ever been around. He brought intensity every day. I can’t remember him one time not going all-out.”

Also known for his tree-trunk, Bo Jackson-like thighs, Valentine ranks first in KU history in steals with 336.

“Man, when I played I didn’t realize they even kept records,” exclaimed Valentine, named first-team All-Big Eight all four years at KU and an All-American in 1981.

“I am surprised I’m still there. What that means is I had great teammates. They allowed me to take a lot of chances and get a lot of steals.”

Valentine led KU to a 24-5 record his freshman year and 24-8 mark his senior year when the Jayhawks were downed by Wichita State, 66-65, in the NCAA Midwest Regional semifinals in New Orleans.

“My senior year, we were a team. We were all on the same agenda,” Valentine said. “We just competed. Of course, the game I really remember is losing to Wichita State in the Superdome. It was painful. It’s a game I think we were capable of winning and moving farther in the tournament.”

Darnell Valentine, right, fires a pass in this file photo. Valentine, the fifth-leading assist man in Kansas basketball history, will have his jersey retired in a ceremony at halftime of today's game between KU and Georgia Tech.

More than any specific game … “I think the thing is not so much accomplishments, but my work ethic,” Valentine said. “I think I instilled an incredible work ethic. I worked extremely hard to get to the point to where I could achieve things at Kansas. I was at every practice. I was consistent.”

So consistent he today receives the highest hoops honor at his alma mater.

“It’s a culmination of 24 years of everything coming together,” Valentine said, acknowledging this is one of his greatest individual thrills. “It has to be,” he said. “In terms of what the university has done for me in my life, preparing me for things I’m doing now … I wouldn’t rank it with my marriage or daughter and family, but it’s right up there.”

Valentine was a first-round pick of the Portland Trail Blazers in the 1981 Draft and played nine years in the NBA with Portland, the Los Angeles Clippers and Cleveland Cavaliers. He is back working for the Blazers as director of player development.

“What it entails is me assisting guys in being professional, adjusting to life off the basketball floor,” Valentine said. “These players are so young now, sometimes they miss fundamental things. There are vast changes in what guys must adjust to off the court.

“I give guidance on things I learned at Kansas. My legacy is passing down qualities of making decisions to these guys. If I can share with them my experiences and help them with their choices, that is what I want to do.”

With the NBA drafting more and more teenagers, Valentine’s job is that much more important.

“Five years ago, there was an attitude of entitlement and (players) being very difficult to deal with,” Valentine said. “The quality of young players coming in now and showing respect for the game is great. Initially I found guys were disrespecting the game. We’re getting back to where it needs to be. Young guys are receptive now it seems.”