Williams' 400th win, 12 jersey retirements among season's early highlights

Coach Roy Williams thanks the fans after securing his 400th victory.

Coach Roy Williams captured his 400th career victory Jan. 15 when Kansas defeated Wyoming, 98-70, in Allen Field House.

After the victory, Williams reflected on his record: "I am proud of our teams. I wish the winning percentage could say Roy Williams and his staff and his teams. I am very proud of the type of schedules we have played in these 15 years. This summer I am sure I will take some time and think back and say this was a pretty cool night. … Just think about the kids: the kids who have represented the University in the right way, the kids who have tried to get their degrees, and the kids who have tried to play as a team. I have really enjoyed my relationship with all of these players, and that is something I will always enjoy."

Following the tribute to Jacque Vaughn Dec. 21, KU continued its ceremonies honoring some of the Jayhawks' outstanding alumni:

Jan. 15 ceremony:
Tustin Ackerman earned All-America honors in 1924 and 1925 and was the leading scorer for KU in the 1923 Helms Foundation National Championship game. He helped KU to three conference titles. Ackerman was represented by his daughter, Ann Houchin, and her husband Claude Houchin; grandson Tustin Houchin and his wife, Andrea Houchin; great-grand daughter Erica Houchin; and great-grandson Arthur Tustin Ackerman.

Gale Gordon was named All-American in 1925 and 1926 and was also a two-time All-Conference selection. Gordon was represented by granddaughter Karla Claycamp and her husband, Jeff.

Al Peterson earned All-America honors in 1925 and 1926. He was a three-time All-Conference selection and also led the Jayhawks in scoring as a junior and senior.
Peterson was represented at the ceremony by is step-grandsons, Mike Ash and Jeff Ash.

Fred Pralle was KU's first consensus All-American. He was named All-American in 1937 and 1938. He earned All-Conference honors three times while leading the Jayhawks to three conference titles. Pralle was represented by his sister, Clarean Pralle Huber, and his nephews ,Thomas Praelle Hubur and Jim Huber.

Jan. 18, Drew Gooden:
- He is only the second player in KU history (joining Danny Manning) to record at least 1,500 points, 900 rebounds, 100 blocks, and 100 steals in a career.
- He was a consensus first team All-American.
- He was the 2002 NABC Co-National Player of the Year in college basketball, ESPN the Magazine Power Forward of the Year and Basketball America National Player of the Year.
- He was the Big 12 Conference Player of the Year in 2002.
- He helped the Jayhawks to a 33-4 record in 2001-2002, a Conference Championship and a Final Four Appearance.
- He was selected #4 overall in the 2002 NBA draft by the Memphis Grizzlies. He was rookie of the month in November and will be playing in the Rookie game during 2003 All-Star weekend.

Jan. 25, Paul Pierce

Paul Pierce accepts his framed #34 jersey.

- Consensus first team All-American and All-Big 12 selection in 1998.
- He helped KU to a combined 98-11 record in his 3 seasons as a regular in the KU lineup, including a 34-2 record his sophomore year and a 34-4 record his junior year.
- He is one of only five players in KU history to score more than 700 points in a season.
- A first round pick, #10 overall, of the Boston Celtics and was named to the NBA All-Rookie team in 1999.
- Selected to the NBA all-star game last season, averaging just under 26 points a game.

Both Pierce and Gooden took the opportunity to thank the KU fans, each saying that they never felt like they had a chance to say goodbye and thank you…because they left after their junior seasons.

Jan. 27, Jo Jo White

Jo Jo White addresses the crowd.

- First team All-America selection in 1968 and 1969 and a three-time All-Big Eight selection.
- He was selected as a member of the U.S. Olympic Team.
- He was named the Jayhawks' most valuable player in 1967,1968, and 1969.
- He led KU to the NCAA Tournament in 1966 and 1967 and the NIT finals in 1968 and 1969.
- He played 11 seasons in the NBA with Boston, Golden State, and Kansas City. His number 10 jersey was retired by the Boston Celtics.

Feb. 3 ceremony

Coach Marian Washington hugged Tamecka Dixon during ceremonies to retire Dixon and Angela Aycock's jerseys. Dixon and Aycock join Lynette Woodard as the only women players to have their jerseys retired.

Angela Aycock
- 1995: Kodak All-American, AP second team All-American, USBWA All-American, All Big Eight Tournament Team.
- 1993: Co Big Eight Player of the Year, Big Eight Tournament MVP
- 1992: Honorable Mention All-Big Eight.
Currently plays professionally overseas.

Tamecka Dixon
- 1997: Kodak All-American, AP second team All-American, Big 12 Player of the Year, Big 12 All-Tournament Team,
- 1996: Big Eight Player of the Year, AP Honorable mention, Big Eight All Tournament team
- 1994: Phillips 66 Academic All-Big Eight Team.
She currently plays in the WNBA for the Los Angeles Sparks.

Raef LaFrentz

KU will honor Raef LaFrentz, who now plays for the NBA's Dallas Mavericks, Feb. 16 when the Jayhawks face Iowa State; Howard Engleman will be honored March 1, when KU plays Oklahoma State in the season's final home game. For more on another Jayhawk legend, three-sport star Jim Bausch, visit: http://www.kuhistory.com .

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