Irving, Texas – As the countdown to the end of his college career ticks away, Oklahoma senior forward Kevin Bookout feels a special sense of urgency.
An Olympic hopeful in the discus, Bookout likely will hang up his basketball sneakers for the last time when this season ends. He hopes that’s April 3 – the national championship game in Indianapolis.
“I already have April 4 circled as my first day back with our track team,” Bookout said Thursday during Big 12 Conference basketball media day activities. “That’s why I want us to go out with a bang.”
At 6-feet-8, 275 pounds, Bookout could probably draw a paycheck playing basketball in the NBA or overseas after his collegiate career ends. He earned third-team all-Big 12 honors last season after averaging 11.5 points and 6.6 rebounds.
But track and field was his first love and remains the sport closest to his heart. He’s pointing toward the 2008 or 2012 Olympic Games.
“I started throwing when I was 5, and a gold medal is something I’ve always pushed for,” said Bookout, from Stroud, Okla. “Seeing a shot or discus fly in the air farther than anyone, it’s just a different feeling.”
Ready, willing and able
Colorado sophomore Richard Roby said he’s ready to assume the role of the program’s marquee player.
“Having the best players go against me, it brings out the best in me,” said the 6-6 guard, who averaged 16 points last season to set a CU freshman record. “It’s a mental thing. I want to think that when I’m on top of my game, nobody is as complete as I am. You have to feel that way to be successful.”
Dow is up
First-year Colorado women’s coach Kathy McConnell-Miller said 6-2 freshman Caley Dow has become one of the surprises of early practices and likely will earn a spot in a rotation of post players. Dow averaged 17.3 points and 9.3 rebounds as a senior at Arapahoe.
“Caley is the most versatile of our post players,” McConnell-Miller said.
Footnotes
The Kansas men, picked first in the coaches preseason poll five times in the past six years, were chosen third this year, behind Texas and Oklahoma. Don’t expect the Jayhawks to be down long. One scouting service ranked all four of their freshman recruits among the nation’s top 19 signees. … La Toya Micheaux, a 6-3 freshman center for Texas A&M, is the daughter of Larry Micheaux, a member of Houston’s legendary Phi Slamma Jamma teams of the early 1980s. … Texas Tech’s Bob Knight, on the recent naming of his son, Pat, as his eventual successor: “I don’t want to (exert myself) all the time and have it turned over to somebody who has no idea what coaching at Tech is all about.” … Texas Tech sophomore Martin Zeno predicts playing time for Dazzmond Thornton, the Red Raiders’ 6-6, 288-pound freshman from Denver’s East High School. “He has quickness that you wouldn’t think he’d have,” Zeno said. … Baylor’s men won’t leave town until January, but that’s because the Bears will not play any nonconference games because of NCAA sanctions.
Tom Kensler can be reached at 303-820-5456 or tkensler@denverpost.com.
