KU men’s basketball players at a glance

Jeff Hawkins No. 1

Guard ¢ Sr-3L (RS) ¢ 5-11 ¢ 180 ¢ Kansas City, Kan. (Sumner Academy)

Overview

Graduated in spring 2005 with a degree in communications … A quick guard with good ball-handling and passing skills … Shows an impressive shooting stroke … A hard worker on the defensive end of the floor … A deceptively good leaper.

Junior Season (2004-05)

Played in 21 games as a junior and averaged 3.0 ppg and 8.3 minutes … Moved into the back up point guard role midway through the season … Scored six points in six minutes of action against Louisiana-Lafayette by hitting both of his three-point shot attempts … Scored four points in a season-high 17 minutes against Villanova … Erupted for a season-high 15 points on 5-of-5 shooting from three-point range at Baylor … Scored six points in the first half against Texas … Hit a pair of three-pointers in six minutes against Iowa State … Scored eight points in a season-high 18 minutes at Missouri … Scored eight points against Kansas State at the Big 12 Tournament.

Off The Court

Full name is Jaffrey Allen Hawkins … Born Nov. 9, 1982 in Kansas City, Kan … Has started second major … Parents are Floyd and Addye Hawkins … Nickname is J-Hawk … Earned an academic scholarship his freshman season … Related to former North Carolina All-American Joe Forte and former New Jersey Nets head coach Byron Scott … Was just the second Jayhawk to wear No. 1, joining Mario Kinsey.

Christian Moody No. 34

Forward ¢ Sr-3L ¢ 6-8 ¢ 220 ¢ Asheville, N.C. (T.C. Roberson HS)

Overview

A hard-working, invited walk-on in his first three seasons who was awarded a scholarship following the 2004-05 season … Lone returning starter from last year … During his junior season CBS’ Billy Packer twice said he is the best walk-on player in the history of college basketball … A crowd favorite as fans yell “MOOOO” when he makes a play … One of KU’s top options off the bench in 2003-04 … A heady player who sees the floor well and is a good passer.

Junior Season (2004-05)

Named first team Academic All-Big 12 … Scored four points and grabbed two boards against Saint Joseph’s … Scored 10 points and grabbed a career-high 10 rebounds for the first double-double of his career against TCU … Also dished two assists versus TCU including one ESPN SportsCenter Top 10 — a no look pass to J.R. Giddens … Had a career-high three steals against UL-Lafayette … Recorded nine points and five rebounds against Texas A&M … Had a career-high 11 points against Kentucky and added seven rebounds in earning KU’s Chevrolet Player of the Game … Scored seven points on 2-of-2 shooting against Colorado … Scored nine points and grabbed six rebounds against Missouri … Had eight points and six rebounds at Nebraska … Had nine points and seven rebounds against Colorado … Scored seven points and had eight rebounds in a career-high 34 minutes at Texas Tech … Tied a career-high with 11 points and 34 minutes against Oklahoma State.

Off The Court

Full name is Mark Christian Danile Moody … Born Dec. 28, 1983, in Washington, D.C … Pre-medicine major … Parents are Mark and Mary Moody … Attended the same high school as former KU coach Roy Williams … High school coach, Rich Sizemore, is just the second coach in Roberson history, the other being Williams’ high school mentor, Buddy Baldwin … Baldwin helped introduce Moody to Williams … An excellent student in high school who scored a 1390 on his SAT and had a 4.65 weighted GPA … Studies pre-med at KU, in hopes of following in the footsteps of his father, Mark, who is a doctor.

Stephen Vinson No. 20

Guard ¢ Sr-3L ¢ 6-2 ¢ 195 ¢ Lawrence, Kan. (Lawrence HS)

Overview

An invited walk-on in his fourth year with the Jayhawks, has been granted scholarship for his final season … Has been called by staff and teammates as the hardest working player on the team … Adds depth at both guard spots.

Junior Season (2004-05)

Suited up for the first time against Nevada and played in five games on the season … Averaged four points and 11.8 minutes in four exhibition games in Canada over Labor Day weekend … Got his first playing time of the season, dishing out two assists in five minutes against Louisiana-Lafayette … Played in his second game of the season at Villanova … Grabbed a rebound in two minutes at Baylor.

Off The Court

Full name is Stephen Brett Vinson … Born Sept. 10, 1983, in Fort Walton Beach, Fla. … Communications major … Parents are Steve and Cyndi Mona … Saw his stock rise dramatically after the Five-Star camp the summer after his junior year of high school in Pennsylvania.

Jeremy Case No. 10

Guard ¢ So-1L (Redshirt) ¢ 6-1 ¢ 170 ¢ McAlester, Okla. (McAlester HS)

Overview

A great shooter whose prowess from beyond the arc has been compared to former Jayhawk Jeff Boschee … Has also been described as a gym rat … The son of a college coach, Win Case, who has a great feel for the game … An impressive ballhandler and passer … Excels at getting his teammates involved … Can shoot well spotting up or off the dribble … Considers himself a combo guard who can play the point or on the wing.

Off The Court

Full name is Jeremy Daryl Case … Born Nov. 10, 1984, in Oklahoma City … Undecided major … Parents are Rita Kemp and Win Case … Father coached at Oklahoma City University from 1993 until 2005 and is the current head coach and athletics director at Eastern Oklahoma State College in Wilburton, Okla., … Win was a teammate of current KU coach Bill Self at Oklahoma State in the 1980s … Case’s mother, Rita Kemp, also played basketball in college at Seminole (Okla.) Junior College … Chose KU over Oklahoma and Nebraska … Some former Jayhawks to wear No. 10 include Scooter Barry, Kirk Hinrich and Calvin Rayford.

C.J. Giles No. 33

Center ¢ So-1L ¢ 6-10 ¢ 235 ¢ Seattle, Wash. (Rainier Beach HS)

Overview

Has great length and can really change the game by altering shots … A true defensive low post presence … A great shot blocker … Has added 15 pounds from his freshman to sophomore seasons … Was one of 21 players invited to the 2005 USA Basketball men’s Under 21 National Team trials July 21-23. Because of injury was unable to make the 12-member team that represented Team USA in the FIBA U21 World Championships in Argentina August 5-14.

Freshman Season (2004-05)

Showed great potential throughout the season, yet was hampered with a foot injury off and on during his freshman year … Grabbed a season-high eight rebounds in just 10 minutes of action against Nevada … Recorded four points and five rebounds in a season-high 13 minutes against TCU … Blocked three shots in seven minutes against South Carolina … Played 15 minutes, scoring six points and grabbing four rebounds against Wisconsin-Milwaukee … Scored two points and grabbed three rebounds in his first career start against Georgia Tech … Started his second straight game and scored four points against Texas A&M … Scored a career-high 10 points on 5-of-5 shooting in 17 minutes at Kentucky … Played a season-high 21 minutes, scoring four points and grabbing six rebounds against Iowa State … Made his fifth start of the season against Nebraska … Scored four points and had three blocks against Iowa State … Scored four points against Oklahoma State in the Big 12 Tournament.

Off The Court

Full name is Chester Jarell Giles … Born Sept. 25, 1985, in Seattle, Wash. … Nickname is Stretch … Undecided major … Parents are Chester Giles Sr. and Gail Goodwin … C.J.’s father, Chester, played for KU under former coach Ted Owens — 1979 and 1980 (3.1 ppg and 2.8 rpg in 48 games at KU) … Originally signed with Miami.

Darnell Jackson No. 32

Forward ¢ So-1L ¢ 6-8 ¢ 240 ¢ Oklahoma City, Okla. (Midwest City HS)

Overview

A big body inside who has a knack for finding the loose ball … An extremely hard worker … Runs and jumps very well for his size … Can be an inside force.

Freshman Season (2004-05)

Posted eight points in each of the Jayhawks’ first two victories … Had two points in six minutes off the bench against Nevada … Scored six points and grabbed five rebounds in just eight minutes of action against Pacific … Had six points and grabbed two rebounds off the bench against Louisiana-Lafayette … Grabbed five rebounds in nine minutes against South Carolina … Got the first start of his career against Wisconsin-Milwaukee … Grabbed three rebounds in eight minutes against Texas A&M … Poured in four points and grabbed three rebounds against Colorado … Scored three points in 12 minutes at Villanova … Grabbed three rebounds against Colorado … Scored two points and grabbed three boards against Kansas State.

Off The Court

Full name is Darnell Edred Jackson … Born Nov. 7, 1985, in Oklahoma City … Undecided major … Mother is Shawn Jackson … Nickname is Big D … Was placed on the honor roll in high school for his work in the classroom … Did not start playing basketball until his ninth grade year.

Sasha Kaun No. 24

Center ¢ So-1L ¢ 6-11 ¢ 246 ¢ Melbourne, Fla. (Florida Air Academy)

Overview

A defensive presence with shot blocking abilities … Effective from the low post … Voted recipient of the Clyde Lovellette Most Improved Player Award by his teammates as a freshman … Has added more than 10 pounds from his freshman to sophomore seasons.

Freshman Season (2004-05)

Played in 27 games with two starts against Iowa State and Oklahoma … Scored the first points of his career with a four-point, six-rebound effort against Saint Joseph’s on Nov. 23 … Logged 14 minutes with three points and five rebounds against Nevada … Logged seven minutes and grabbed two rebounds in the Jayhawks’ win over Pacific … Grabbed three rebounds in 13 minutes against Louisiana- Lafayette … Scored two points and grabbed two rebounds in 10 minutes against Georgia Tech … Had seven points in 12 minutes at Kentucky … Scored eight points at Colorado … Scored two points and grabbed four rebounds in 18 minutes against Nebraska … Also tied a career-high with three blocks against the Cornhuskers … Poured in a career-high 11 points with five rebounds at Villanova … Scored four points in a season-high 26 minutes at Kansas State … Had seven points and seven rebounds in 23 minutes vs. Iowa State … Made the second start of his career at Oklahoma.

Off The Court

Full name is Alexander Kaun … Born May 8, 1985, in Tomsk, Russia … Computer science major … Mother is Andrea Bonafiglia … Was Academic Cadet of the Year at Florida Air Academy … Did not begin playing basketball until 10th grade … Looking to pursue a degree in computer science.

Russell Robinson Jr. No. 3

Guard ¢ So-1L ¢ 6-1 ¢ 196 ¢ New York, N.Y. (Rice HS)

Overview

Shows outstanding work ethic as he hit the weights and put on more than 20 pounds following his freshman season … A solid defender with great quickness on both ends of the floor … A combo guard who can score in a number of ways … Has the ball handling abilities to run the point … Brings toughness and tenacity.

Freshman Season (2004-05)

Was one of the first players off the bench for the first half of the season, mainly as the back up point guard … Opened the year playing seven minutes in the 68-61 win against Vermont … Played 23 minutes, scoring 10 points and dishing out five assists against Saint Joseph’s … Scored a season-high 13 points in just 16 minutes of action against Nevada … Scored seven points in the second half against Pacific … Scored nine points and dished out two assists in KU’s win over TCU … Scored five points in KU’s victory over Louisiana- Lafayette … Scored seven big points in 20 minutes of action against South Carolina, four of which came in the final 28 seconds. Earned ESPN.com’s national freshman of the week honors for his game versus USC … Had his third double-figure scoring game of the season with 12 points against Wisconsin-Milwaukee … Scored six points off the bench against Texas A&M … Scored six points in 13 minutes at Colorado.

Off The Court

Full name is Russell Robinson, Jr … Born Jan. 24, 1986, in Bronx, N.Y. … Undecided major … Parents are Theresa and Russell Robinson Sr … Led his summer basketball team to three tournament championships, being named MVP of each of those tournaments … Joins Brett Ballard and Brett Olson as recent Jayhawks to don the number three.

Matt Kleinmann No. 44

Forward ¢ Fr-RS ¢ 6-10 ¢ 237 ¢ Overland Park, Kan. (Blue Valley West HS)

Overview

An invited walk-on who was a redshirt for 2004-05 … A big body who adds depth to the Jayhawk frontcourt.

Redshirt (2004-05)

Practiced with the KU team during the 2004-05 season. Played at Blue Valley West High School (2004) … Coached by Donnie Campbell … Posted 14 points and nine rebounds per game as a senior … Shot over 60 percent from the field his senior season … Earned first team All-East Kansas League … Carried a 4.0 GPA throughout high school.

Off The Court

Full name is Matthew Ryan Kleinmann … Born Feb. 25, 1986, in Overland Park … Architecture major … Parents are Calvin and Lesa Kleinmann … Turned down a scholarship offer from the University of the Pacific to play at KU … Also recruited by South Florida, Valparaiso, Yale, William and Mary, and UNC-Wilmington.

Rodrick Stewart No. 5

Guard ¢ So-TR ¢ 6-4 ¢ 201 ¢ Seattle, Wash. (Ranier Beach HS/Southern California)

Overview

A great athlete who transferred from Southern California in December 2004 and will be eligible following the fall semester… Played point guard at USC yet will be used at the two guard or small forward at Kansas… Extremely quick and has great leaping ability… A solid defender who plays well in the open court… Will provide highlight reel dunks.

Freshman Season (2003-04 at USC)

Averaged 4.4 points and 2.2 rebounds in 21.6 minutes, starting 17 of 27 games at point guard… Scored 10 points in his debut at Western Michigan… Scored a season-high 14 points on 6-of-8 shooting in 25 minutes at BYU and matched that with 14 points and four assists at Washington… Had 11 points and four assists against Louisiana-Lafayette… Had 10 points against Oregon State… Had a season-high five assists at Washington State and had four steals and eight points in a victory against Arizona.

Off The Court

Born April 30, 1984, in Aberdeen, Miss… Undecided major… Parents are Andrew and Lisa Stewart … Father Andrew is a power lifter and personal trainer who has won numerous titles weightlifting world drug-free championships… Twin brother Lodrick — born four minutes before Rodrick — started 24 of 29 games last season at USC and was the team’s second leading scorer at 12.1 ppg.

Mario Chalmers No. 15

Guard ¢ Fr-HS ¢ 6-1 ¢ 182 ¢ Anchorage, Alaska (Bartlett HS)

Overview

Will contend for starting point guard duties as a freshman … Has a great court sense … Can take control of a game as displayed in the second half of the McDonald’s All-American game where he scored 17 of his team-high 20 points.

High School

McDonald’s All-American and Parade All- American following his senior season where he averaged 25.3 points per game … Was coached by his father, Ronnie, in high school … Guided Bartlett High School to two state titles in 2002 and 2003 and two runner-up finishes in 2004 and 2005 … Named the Alaska 4A Player of the Year three times, joining Trajan Langdon as the only other player from the state to do so … Led the state in three-point shooting his senior season … Was an all-conference selection four years … Averaged 23.2 points, 6.0 assists and 5.8 rebounds as a junior for the Golden Bears … Best game of his high school season was 46 points, 10 steals and eight assists.

Off The Court

Full name is Almario Vernard Chalmers … Born May 19, 1986, in Anchorage, Alaska … Undecided major … Parents are Ronnie and Almarie Chalmers. Ronnie was named KU Director of Basketball Operations in summer 2005.. Full name is Almario Vernard Chalmers … Cousin Lionel Chalmers led Xavier in scoring in 2003-04 with a 16.6 ppg … Cousin Chris Smith played in the NBA for the Minnesota Timberwolves from 1992-95.

Micah Downs No. 23

Guard ¢ Fr-HS ¢ 6-8 ¢ 180 ¢ Kirkland, Wash. (Juanita HS)

Overview

Can play shooting guard and small forward … Solid long-range shooter … Ability to play inside and outside, which adds depth and versatility.

High School

McDonald’s All-American, Jordan Classic All-Star and Parade All-American selection following his senior campaign … Averaged 24.8 points, 12.2 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.9 blocks and 1.6 steals in 2004- 05 for Juanita HS, earning all-state accolades … Scored 30 or more six times as a senior, with a high of 41 … Averaged 19.7 points, 11.8 rebounds and 3.6 assists as a junior at Bothell (Wash.) HS, earning first team all-conference honors … Posted individual games of 41 points, 17 rebounds and six blocked shots; 35 points and 21 rebounds; and 20 points with 25 rebounds … Was ranked No. 14 nationally by Rivals.com.

Off The Court

Full name is Micah Downs II … Born Sept. 8, 1986, in Auburn, Wash. … Undecided major … Parents are Steve and Gerri Downs.

Julian Wright No. 30

Guard ¢ Fr-HS ¢ 6-8 ¢ 218 ¢ Chicago Heights, Ill. (Homewood-Flossmoor HS)

Overview

A versatile player who can play point guard to power forward, which will create mismatches for opponents … Great ball handler who can take it to the hole … Has good range.

High School

McDonald’s All-American, first team all-state and was named to the USA Junior National Select Team following his senior season … Averaged 14.0 points, 9.0 rebounds and 6.0 assists his senior campaign at Homewood-Flossmoor (H-F) High School … H-F handed eventual USA Today national champion Oak Hill (Va.) Academy one of its two losses in 2004- 05 … H-F finished 2004-05 with a 27-4 record … Best game stat-wise was 19 points, 11 rebounds, nine assists and eight blocked shots … H-F won two regional and sectional championships Wright’s junior and senior seasons … MVP of the Nike Peach Jam and a third-team all-state selection as a junior … Averaged 10.4 points, seven rebounds and 4.9 assists in guiding Homewood-Flossmoor (31-3) to the state runner-up finish in 2003-04 … Was an all-tournament selection in the ISHA Class AA State Tournament … Homewood- Flossmoor was a combined 78-23 in Wright’s career … Coached by Roy Condotti who retired from Homewood- Flossmoor following the 2004-05 season.

Off The Court

Full name is Julian Emil-Jamaal Wright … Born May 20, 1987, in Chicago, Ill. … Communications major … Parents are Gina Wright and Paul Vinson … Father played college basketball at Illinois Institute of Technology … Was ranked No. 10 overall by Rivals.com.

Brandon Rush, No. 25

6-6 ¢ 202 ¢ Kansas City, Mo.

Overview

A versatile perimeter player who has excellent ball handling skills … A proven scorer who will contribute immediately at the small forward and guard positions … Comes from an outstanding basketball family that has experienced success at the NCAA Division I and NBA levels.

High School

Prior to 2004-05 was named to USA Today’s 2004-05 Preseason Super 25 while at Mount Zion (N.C.) Academy … Averaged averaged 21 points, six rebounds and five assists per game last season … Was named to the 2005 adidas Derby Festival Basketball Classic … Two-time all-state selection while in high school.

Off The Court

Born July 7, 1985 … Undecided major … Brother Kareem was a two-time All-Big 12 first team selection at Missouri in 2001 and 2002 and currently plays for the Charlotte Bobcats … Brother JaRon played collegiately at UCLA … Was ranked No. 13 overall and No. 2 small forward, behind KU teammate Julian Wright, by Rivals.com … Pulled out of the NBA draft in summer of 2005 and joined the KU team in September … Twice named an all-star at the Reebok ABCD Camp and was the 2004 ABCD Camp most valuable player while playing for AAU KS Rocktown.