JC: All right Drew, let’s get right into it. Rumor has it you
were in Lawrence over the summer taking classes.
DG: It’s no rumor. It’s
the truth. I took 8 hours toward my degree. I have some more to go to get my
degree. I’m a communications major.
JC: So how was summer school?
DG: Weird. Going to class. Walking on campus
again. Very strange, but good. Definitely good.
JC: You weren’t the only
one back this summer. Many of your old teammates were back in town as well.
DG:
Absolutely. We all love coming back.
JC: Get in any pick-up games?
DG: Of course. It’s great to play with
the older guys and the younger guys. It’s important that we come back.
I remember when Pierce and Lafrentz came back when I was in school.
JC: How
intense are those games?
DG: Ha! Very intense. The young guys want to prove
they can play with the NBA guys so they go all out. What they don’t know
is that the older guys are just trying to stay in shape in the off-season.
JC:
Did you get a chance to play with some of the freshman?
DG: You bet. I was impressed.
JC: Who caught your eye out there?
DG: JR Giddens, for sure. The kid has a
tremendous amount of athletic ability. He reminds me of myself.
JC: How so?
DG: Well, he can play (laughs) and he likes to talk. He reminds
me of me at that age.
JC: Anyone else impress you?
DG: Jeremy Case. That kid can shoot.
JC: So we hear
DG: It’s true. Jeremy really knows how to shoot the ball.
JC: Did you
get a chance to hang with Coach Self at all?
DG: No, not really. I knew him
when he was at Illinois though. I’ve always
respected him. He’s been successful at so many programs. He’s going
to keep things going for the Jayhawks. He’s an excellent hire.
JC: Were
you surprised that Coach Williams left?
DG: No, not surprised. I mean, I thought
he would stay but when I heard he left, I wasn’t totally surprised. He’s
got family in North Carolina, and after having turned it down once. I just
don’t think he could do it again.
I think his heart was at UNC.
JC: Let’s talk about the final four this
year. Were you watching that game wishing you were out there with Kirk and
Nick?
DG: Of course. I don’t regret my decision to go to the NBA, but
it would have been nice to be out there with my friends.
JC: So if you are out
there, do you shut down Carmelo Anthony?
DG: I’d like to think so (laughs)
but to be honest. We might not have been in the championship with me on the
team. That team worked so hard to get
there.
It was all about them, but yeah, I would have liked to be there with them.
[snip]
JC: Your fan club, Club Zero has really taken off. Tell
us a little bit about it.
DG: It’s my way of thanking the fans who have
stood by me for years. They can join the fan club and get autographed items
and such. It’s a
good way to stay in touch with me in my career. All the proceeds will go to
my foundation, which will help kids in a few communities where I played during
my career. My old neighborhood in Oakland, and also in Lawrence. All the money
will go to help kids buy uniforms and support their teams.
JC: Your Fan Club
has partnered with Phog.net to help promote the Fan Club and your foundation.
Why Phog.net?
DG: Phog.net is the top KU website on the net. Why wouldn’t
I work with Phog.net? It’s the best way to reach KU fans. We wanted to
hook up with the best.
JC: Ever drop by Phog.net?
DG: Of course. I’ve been there plenty. Catching
up on the Jayhawks.
[snip]
JC: There was quite a story about a year ago when a recruit came to town during
the summer for a pickup game. The story had it that he really took it to you
and was not afraid to tell you about it. Did the kid really school you?
DG:
(Laughs) He played well. He talked a lot. He was a good kid. Of course, I had
to call a special second session for the next game. The kid never made
a basket on day two.
JC: He didn’t end up coming to KU, did he?
DG: No, he sure didn’t.
JC: Lastly, and most importantly…..if you had one more year of eligibility,
and the NCAA would let you come back. Where would you play? With Coach Self
at KU or with Coach Williams at Carolina.
DG: That’s a great question,
but it would be KU no doubt. No doubt about it. KU will always be home.
JC:
Thanks Drew.
DG: Anytime.
(Editor's Note: Drew Gooden's fan club, Club Zero, is right
here. This story is only a portion of Joel's interview with Drew. The entire
Drew
Gooden
interview
will
be
printed
in
our
the
upcoming
Basketball
Preview edition of "Jayhawk Illustrated" magazine.)