Kansas Basketball: Tears flowed on senior night

The post game speeches from Kansas Basketball seniors are always emotional. This seasons seniors gave some speeches that brought tears to everyone’s eyes.

The Kansas Jayhawks are Big 12 champs once again, and again, and again. For 14 straight seasons senior night has consisted of champions. Kansas Basketball shows the world what it truly means to be a Jayhawk on senior night.

Nobody leaves after the game. It’s just something you do not do. Senior night isn’t just about this streak, for now 35 straight seasons Kansas has won on senior night. Kansas University really does care about their basketball players.

In a speech at Allen Fieldhouse on senior night, everyone is reminded as to why Kansas is Kansas.

Bill Self comes out and addresses the full house. Tells them how great the season was and how proud he is of his team. It isn’t that it sounds repetitive, it’s that it is repetitive. It has to be, because his team goes out there and does it every season.

If you haven’t listened to their speeches, please listen before reading on.

Clay Young

Clay was not a household name. His journey to get to Kansas and his role while at Kansas defines… Kansas.

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Taking another coaches word, Self and his coaches bring him to Lawrence. Never becoming more than a role player is something to be extremely proud of. He played at Kansas. During his speech he mentioned how tough it was to play ball here. Calling his mom even to get support.

Yet Clay battled through injury and through hijinks at practice to be a vital part of this team off the court.

Svi Mykailiuk

The sweetest kid he’s ever had at Kansas. That’s what Bill Self said about Svi. Svi showed up as a kid. Just turning seventeen before playing his first game as a freshman, he was a child.

As beautiful as his three-point shot is, his speech about his dad, who had flown from Ukraine to watch the game, was prettier. As a father myself, I wept. Svi told the story of his father continuing to drive to practice even though he wasn’t there. It took several tries before Svi could get through it.

Svi left home when he was a child. He left his mom, his dad and his friends. All to come to Kansas, while speaking little to no English. He would find a friend who would teach him English.

Devonte’ Graham

What Graham means to Kansas University is awe-inspiring. To grow into the leader that he became is almost unheard of. Yes, he should be the 2018 Big 12 PoY.

Graham spoke about Self wanting him to yell at players such as Wayne Seldon when Graham got to K.U. “There’s no way I was going to yell at those guys”.

When it came to thank Bill Self, Devonte’ wept. I wept.

It was the most heartfelt I had ever seen someone give a speech. From the heart.

The emotions that filled the air inside Allen Fieldhouse were puzzling. Being a Kansas Jayhawk is special. For the players, I can only imagine the overwhelming feelings they must have when they first walk on campus. The amount of pressure that comes with the gig. By the time they leave, they are men, they are better human beings, they are better players.

Next: Best seasons all-time for Kansas Basketball

All those characteristics should be a head coaches goal. The only goal. Just ask these seniors, The goal is always met with Bill Self.