June 8, 2007

Aldrich getting settled at Kansas
Freshman basketball player couldn't wait to get to Lawrence, and he may not have to wait long to make his impact felt out on the court.

By J. BRADY McCOLLOUGH
The Kansas City Star

LAWRENCE | It's move-in day, everything is about to change, and the only thing Cole Aldrich can think about is his brand-new, flat-panel TV.

While his parents and some helpers from the Kansas basketball staff handle the boring stuff -- golf clubs, an assortment of size-17 sneakers and collared shirts fit for the Jolly Green Giant -- KU's new big man on campus carries only his securely bubble-wrapped monitor, a graduation gift from his parents.

Aldrich, a 6-foot-11 freshman center from Bloomington, Minn., wears a cutoff shirt, official Washington Wizards uniform shorts and a backward KU hat. The sight of him walking into Jayhawker Towers would surely bring a smile to KU coach Bill Self's face.

Because of Julian Wright's early departure to the NBA and the uncertainty surrounding Brandon Rush's recovery from ACL surgery, Aldrich won't have to wait long before he's called upon to make an impact.

Aldrich, who has dirty-blonde hair and blue eyes, takes a rickety, old elevator to the second floor. It's probably the same elevator that took former KU big men Raef LaFrentz, Drew Gooden and Nick Collison to their apartments years ago.

He raps on the door of his new digs, hoping that roommate Tyrel Reed is home, and opens it with a twist of a key.

"Where you at!" Aldrich yells.

Sure enough, there's Reed, ready with a handshake. Here's something you should know about Aldrich, something Reed just learned: Before shaking hands with the big guy, you should go ahead and start grinding your teeth, because it's going to hurt.

Reed and Aldrich both predict a great year as roommates. They've been talking and sending text messages back and forth all month, but especially this week. Reed, a guard from Burlington, Kan., moved in on Sunday. He's been bored waiting for Aldrich to show up, and Aldrich has been badgering Reed for constant updates on what it's like.

Walt Aldrich, Cole's father, doesn't waste any time offering Reed advice for life with Cole: "When he gets mad, all you gotta do is give him food."

If there was any question about Aldrich being excited to get here, he answered it by graduating from high school Wednesday night, going to an all-night party and leaving at 5:30 a.m. Thursday on no sleep to drive eight hours to Lawrence. If you remember, Aldrich committed to Kansas as a junior. He is ready to be a Jayhawk.

"I think he's pretty ready to move on in life," says Kathy Aldrich, Cole's mother. "He was getting tired of high school. He grew out of that."

Aldrich has a way of growing out of things. Kathy proudly says that her son is of Norwegian descent, so that could explain his size. Upon moving into his apartment, Cole learns very quickly that the hallway between the living area and his bedroom is too short. For at least the next year, Cole will have to bend down every time he leaves his room. Told that he might get a crick in his neck, he sighs.

Still, nothing seems to dampen his enthusiasm, especially when electronics are involved. Aldrich carries around two cell phones, a "Q" and a "Sidekick," as well as an iPod, and within minutes of moving in, the first order of business is to hook up his TV and Xbox 360 for a round of Tiger Woods golf.

"Nobody beats me," Aldrich says, showing the humility of a McDonald's All-American.

The TV is a smaller HD model with a 25-inch screen, and Reed informs Aldrich that sophomores Brady Morningstar and Sherron Collins, who live directly underneath them, have 50- and 60-inch TVs. Aldrich is not used to being smaller than anyone, so the news is far from welcome.

"I'm going to need an upgrade now," Aldrich decides.

The first year of college is packed with way bigger decisions. Now, for the first time, Cole Aldrich will make them for himself.

After about half an hour, Walt and Kathy Aldrich leave Cole to his game of Tiger Woods (he was 12 under par through 17 holes) and head back to their car. They're staying in town until Saturday and will spend time with Cole when he isn't occupied with sociology class or meetings with basketball staff and trainers.

This is the first time the Aldriches have moved one of their kids into college. The emotions are a mixed bag, knowing that when they return home, their own lives will open up, but also that there will be no more year-round basketball games to attend.

"That's been our entertainment," says Walt, "and we'll have to entertain ourselves."

Walt is able to joke about how cheap the groceries will be now and how they're turning Cole's bedroom into an office, but Kathy talks seriously about making the transition into life without Cole. She is already starting to exercise more and just joined a yoga class. She even got the old bike out of the garage recently.

"We used to do a lot of bike rides as a family," Kathy says nostalgically.

The Aldriches don't know how they'll do without Cole, but they aren't worried about Cole living away from home.

"He's traveled so much for basketball," says Walt, who works as a union sheet-metal worker. "He's always been kind of ... adventurous."

After finishing his game of golf, Aldrich goes into his room to unpack more. He talks about his girlfriend, Molly, back home. They will have been dating for six months on Saturday, and Aldrich plans to send her flowers.

Putting away his three pairs of Air Jordans, Aldrich says he just wants to start playing in front of the KU fans. His Kansas career has been a long time coming, and he's eager to start working with Jayhawk legend and assistant coach Danny Manning on his post game. He also readily admits that Wright's leaving has opened a door for him.

"When Julian left," Aldrich says, "I thought, 'Well, I've got an opportunity to get some really good playing time.' It's going to take a lot of hard work and determination."

Aldrich will be competing for time with seniors Sasha Kaun and Darnell Jackson and sophomore Darrell Arthur. He'll meet up with them later Thursday night at open gym, but right now, Aldrich has more pressing things on his mind.

"I'm tired," Aldrich says.

He shows his visitors to the door and closes it, relieved. College is two hours under way, and it's already time for an afternoon nap.

To reach J. Brady McCollough, Kansas reporter for The Star, call (816) 234-4363 or send e-mail to jmccollough@kcstar.com

J. Brady McCollough - jbrady@coveringsports.com (email) - 816-868-2621 (cell)