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Kevin Haskin: Ballard’s first taste of WU basketball was at camp

Related Topics: Basketball, Bob Chipman

Years ago, Brett Ballard wanted desperately to be involved in Washburn basketball.

During the summer anyway. When Bob Chipman conducted youth camps throughout the state and lured popular Kansas players to be headliners.

“It was funny, my situation as a walk-on,’’ recalled Ballard, a two-year guard for the Jayhawks from 2000-02. “They wanted the Kirk Hinrichs, the Nick Collisons, the Keith Langfords and the Aaron Miles of the world. And I get it.

“I told Chip, ‘I understand, but anytime you need a guy at the last minute, just call me.’ So at 10 o’clock on a Tuesday night I’d get the call to see if I could be somewhere the next morning.