After finishing final exams and heading home for the Holidays, Jeff Withey finally got the opportunity to sit down with his family to discuss where he would bring his game for the next few years.
“I decided this morning,” Withey said about his decision. “My family and I got a chance to discuss it. We went over the positives and negatives and at the end of the day, Kansas just had more positives.”
There certainly were other viable options for Withey, but when all was said and done, the Jayhawks just stood out from the rest of the pack.
“I really liked San Diego being here (Whithey is from San Diego) and I liked Texas. Most of the schools were really close to each other, but Kansas was in front,” said Withey.
One of the major factors in Withey choosing Kansas was the coaching staff.
“I think the coaches, coach Manning and coach Self, and coach Townsend are really going to help me out. Coach Self was excited about my decision when I told him about it,” said Withey.
Due to NCAA transfer rules, Withey will be eligible to join his new Jayhawk teammates on the court at the semester break in 2009. With almost a year to work on his game and school, Withey doesn’t see that as a bad thing.
“I think it’s really a blessing in disguise. I can focus on getting stronger. I can work on my game for the next year without distractions and then be ready to hop in and show everybody what I can do,” said Withey.
“I will work on my ‘back to the basket’ game and work to add strength, but I will bring a defensive presence. I will block shots, run the floor, and dunk the ball. I can play either the 4 or 5,” Withey continued.
Withey will certainly be an immediate impact player for the Jayhawks during the 2009-2010 season. With the youth on this year’s team, next year will be full of experienced players poised for a run at the title. According to Withey, he has the tools to help in that championship run.
