Collison's jersey takes its rightful place

Nick Collison receives his retired jersey from Athletics Director Lew Perkins. Jeff Jacobsen/KUAC

Nick Collison's jersey will hang in Allen Fieldhouse forever. Collison returned home Nov. 25 for the KU-Michigan State game and a halftime ceremony in his honor. He is now in the class of other KU greats such as Wilt Chamberlain and Danny Manning.

"It's an unbelievable honor, just to be recognized in any way by this great university," said Collison, joined by his mother, father, sister, brother, brother-in-law and uncle at the game.

A native of Iowa Falls, Iowa, Collison, c'03, was chosen by the Seattle Supersonics as 12th overall pick in the 2003 NBA draft. Last season he was named the NABC National Player of the Year, the Big 12 Male Athlete of the Year, a consensus first-team All-American and the Big 12 Player of the Year by the league's coaches.

Nick Collison hugs announcer Max Falkenstien during ceremonies to retire Collison's jersey. Jeff Jacobsen/KUAC

As a senior, Collison averaged team-highs of 18.5 points and 10 rebounds per game en route to leading the Jayhawks to a 30-8 record and the NCAA national championship game. Collison left Lawrence as the school's second all-time leading scorer (2,097 points), third all-time leading rebounder (1,143 boards) and second all-time leading shot-blocker (243 rejections).

During the ceremony Collison thanked the great fans at KU, reminisced about his two trips to the Final Four, and spoke of the fulfillment he enjoyed playing basketball for Kansas.

Collison is sitting out his first NBA season because of shoulder injuries.