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After painful saga, Withey becomes frontcourt force

Eric Prisbell, USA TODAY Sports
Jeff Withey of Kansas University returns after having a breakout end to the 2011-12 season.
  • Withey had big flashes last season, scoring 25 points against Baylor and grabbing 20 rebounds against Oklahoma State
  • College players historically don't emerge from relative obscurity to block an NCAA-record 31 shots, which Withey did
  • After spending most of his career on the bench, Withey is now seriously contemplating a jump to the NBA

LAWRENCE, Kan. -- As Jeff Withey gritted his teeth, his legs turned to Jell-O as he moved his 7-foot frame up every step in every aisle of Kansas' legendary Allen Fieldhouse, wanting desperately to get this punishment over as quickly as his fast-churning legs would allow.

But the most pronounced pain — embarrassment and anger that he grimaces at seven months later — came internally. If Withey, who was summoned to the steps after failing to dive for a loose ball in practice, feared anything, it was being labeled the team's weak link.

"I don't want to say he woke up," teammate Elijah Johnson says. "But he woke up."

February's 15-minute step-running session served as the pivotal moment in a college career that needed a jump start. After struggling to get on the court for most of his injury-riddled career, this was the ignition point.

A few days later, Withey's parents, Debbie and Mike, watched on television as their son scored a career-high 25 points against Baylor. They saw him snare a career-high 20 rebounds three days later against Oklahoma State. He brought home Oscar Robertson national player of the week honors.

Kansas Jayhawks center Jeff Withey (5) puts his head in his hands after loosing to the Kentucky Wildcats in the NCAA tournament last season.

"That's the Jeffree that we know!" Debbie Withey recalls hollering at the television. "I have been waiting for three years for that to happen. And all of the sudden, it went crazy. My husband and I are looking at each other, screaming and going, 'What the heck?'"

An appropriate question. College players historically don't emerge from relative obscurity to block an NCAA-record 31 shots, including 10 in a Sweet 16 victory against North Carolina State, in six tournament games. They typically don't go from spending most of their career on the bench to seriously contemplating a jump to the NBA after a junior season in which they earned Big 12 defensive player of the year honors.

Difficult road

The road has been turbulent. Debbie Withey turns emotional when she reflects, saying, "He just knew he would get through it. He had more faith in the situation than I did, a lot more than I did. Every day, every single day, I just pray. He's got to keep his body healthy."

And the Withey family is invested. When Withey's grandmother Grace was in the hospital with pneumonia last summer, she vowed to live through one more season to see him play again. His grandfather Karl still sends him $100 for each dunk.

A laid-back San Diego native, Withey doesn't always reveal his emotions, not even to teammates or family members. But he says he never lost sight of his dream to play in the NBA, even as his career narrative turned sour. And his unique journey is now a source of strength.

"When things get tough on the court, it's a breeze compared to what I have been through," Withey says.

Withey's roots are found on scenic South Mission Beach in San Diego. He and family members spent hours playing two-on-two volleyball during his childhood. Then came a nearly 8-inch growth spurt when he entered high school and, ultimately, a commitment to play basketball at Louisville.

His grandfather's death prompted him to reconsider. Wanting to stay closer to home, Withey chose Arizona. Two practices — that's what Withey says was the extent of his Arizona career. Amid uncertainty after the departure of coach Lute Olson, Withey sought stability.

After his decision to transfer went public, his mom, who had moved to Arizona, at times brought him food because he would get flak from students when he ventured outside. And one night, she says, some "drunk frat boys wanted to beat him up" because he was going to transfer.

Arizona initially did not release him from his scholarship because the school said he needed to remain for a full academic year to live up to his letter of intent. Withey says he was close to securing legal representation before he left in December 2008 when Arizona granted his release.

"It was a struggle to get out," Withey says. "People at Arizona really didn't like me that much. I became a lot stronger person."

At Kansas, Withey thought he would play once he became eligible for the second semester of the 2009-10 season. Besides adapting to a new team, his mom says, he fought through mononucleosis. There was the stress fracture in his knee in the fall of 2009.

Then there was the broken foot — a huge pin inserted — and the finger broken on a backboard and the tooth through the lip. On and on it went, injuries blurring together as he sat on the bench.

He played three minutes a game during the 2009-10 season. The next season, he played six minutes a game. During the 2011 NCAA tournament, he played a combined four minutes in four games. And he struggled to keep his weight up.

Withey grew frustrated, even depressed. He says he briefly considered transferring again but didn't want to be tagged as a guy content to hopscotch around the country from program to program.

"Not playing when you think you should, it's extremely tough and draining on your body," he says. "You have your parents, who moved to Kansas, in your ear. You need to do this, this and this."

Strong competition

Withey kept battling in practice, blocking some shots but many times being humbled by four players who would be selected among the top 14 picks in three different NBA drafts. Competing against

Cole Aldrich (11th pick, 2010), Markieff and Marcus Morris (13th and 14th picks, 2011) and Thomas Robinson (fifth, 2012) warped Withey's reality.

"When I was playing against them, I didn't think they'd go that high because I went against them every day," Withey says. "Then watching them in games, they were dominating. You feel great about that. Playing against lottery picks, I figured if I could play against them, I could play against anyone."

Says Kansas guard Travis Releford: "That made him the player he is now. Sometimes guys are good, but when they are not in the spotlight, no one can see that until they get that chance."

Kansas coach Bill Self said Withey did not realize his true value to the team until late last season. Robinson was the team's will. Withey was the team's anchor. And his six-game performance in the NCAA tournament will long be remembered in Kansas lore.

Because of his volleyball background, Withey is a shot-blocking natural. Johnson says he can jump too late and still alter a shot. Sometimes he doesn't even jump.

"He can intimidate people," Johnson says.

Withey is now bent on honing his 15-foot jump shot, determined to complement his shot-blocking prowess — he finished fourth nationally in blocks with 3.59 a game — with a well-rounded offensive repertoire.

If his body remains healthy, and his mom keeps praying, he might be the nation's most formidable big man. And he doesn't think he'll need another pride-swallowing Allen Fieldhouse step run as the catalyst.

"I have a lot to prove still — that's what is going through my head," Withey says. "It's all in my hands."

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