Julian Wright’s creativity does not stop on the basketball court. In fact, it’s not even the place his imagination began.

The 6-foot-8 freshman might be the most inventive player on Kansas University’s men’s basketball squad, often creating plays, shots and passes out of nothing.

But, for 10 years now, he’s also found another way to let his originality flow – poetry.

“That’s an outlet to just get away from basketball,” Wright said. “I love basketball – so much that surrounds you is just basketball. I just try to get away from the real world, so to speak, and just write poetry and express myself.”

Growing up with a knack for word games – think Scrabble – and a flair for writing, Wright has composed over 100 original poems. Though he completes many of his pieces quickly, Wright said he was most proud of the ones that took days to complete.

“Those are the ones I feel strongly about,” Wright said, “and I keep them a secret.”

Much like a diary, Wright’s poems remind him how he felt at a certain time in his life.

Because he doesn’t have as much free time as he did in high school, Wright hasn’t kept up with his writing as much in Lawrence. Still, he said he found time to reflect upon his life and, in a sense, continue.

Kansas University freshman Julian Wright tries to save the ball against Fort Hays State. Wright, shown during the Jayhawks' 96-62 victory Nov. 9 in Allen Fieldhouse, is learning to channel his creativity and not try to do too much on the basketball court.

“Sometimes, I would like to write poetry and just leave it at that,” Wright said. “If there’s a situation going on, I would like to just move on. It helps me to just go on with life and leave my problems on paper.”

Smooth delivery

Many Jayhawk fans would describe Wright’s play as a sort of poetry in motion.

The freshman has a certain grace on the court and ability to make the tough play look easy.

“I just try to bring a little different style of play,” Wright said. “It’s flashy, but not so flashy to the point where he’s full of himself. I just try to be a person everybody can embrace on the court.”

It seems to be working.

Wright quickly has become a crowd favorite, playing with the enthusiasm and emotion much like he did growing up in Chicago.

The forward knows he still has much to learn. He must calm down, especially in Allen Fieldhouse, where he wants to please the Jayhawk faithful.

After being a show-stopper in high school, encouraged to always make the dazzling play, Wright also has struggled at KU by trying to do too much.

“I just try to understand I don’t have to make a fancy play or do so much to be active. It’s natural,” Wright said. “I just got over a stage where I was forcing things that I like to do – and that’s being creative and being energetic. Now it’s starting to come to me, and that just comes with experience.”

Slowing down

After battling turnovers through the first few games, Wright is becoming more comfortable with his role and also the pace of the faster college game.

“I think he’s doing a real good job,” KU coach Bill Self said. “I still think there’s some things obviously he can improve on from a defensive and rebounding standpoint, but the game is slowing down for him.”

Wright isn’t exactly sure whether his up-and-down play has caused Self more happiness or headaches in the early season.

With the excitement he brings to the court, Wright knows either is possible.

“I think it’s always going to go both ways,” Wright said. “Coach gives me a little freedom, but now he showed me a few games ago he can take it away easily. He said he’s going to live through mistakes, but I can’t not play defense or not be active and do what I bring to the team most, which is energy.

“If I make a mistake, I’d better be the most enthusiastic and energetic guy, ready to make another play.”