With top basketball prospects running to the NBA Draft like contestants to “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?”, it’s amazing in this day and age to see a university honor an accomplished career on senior day.
But Saturday, when the Tigers face DePaul in their home finale at 1 p.m. in The Pyramid, The University of Memphis will honor the stellar career of senior Kelly Wise, who will leave the school as one of Conference USA’s best-ever big men.
Wise, the first player in C-USA history to score over 1,400 points and grab over 1,000 rebounds, stands now as C-USA’s all-time leader in career double-doubles with 41. He is also the only player in C-USA history to average a double-double in a season after averaging 15.1 points and 10.1 rebounds as a junior.
Not since the days of Elliot Perry or Cedric Henderson has a Memphis player made as great an impact for four years on the court.
Last year, Wise became the cornerstone of John Calipari’s first-year system, and on a team with young, unproved talent, the lanky, 6-10 forward made the Tigers a respectable ball club. With Wise’s leadership, the Tigers put together a run that landed them in the postseason, giving Memphis fans something in March to cheer about again.
With six newcomers this season, preseason talk across the nation focused on prized recruits Dajuan Wagner and Chris Massie. Yet Wise has remained focused on a bigger picture, concerned more with earning a trip to the NCAA Tournament than with being the subject of great expectations.
Not until his recent injury and Memphis’ three-game slide have fans seen how much not having Wise hurts the Tigers’ chances of winning. With Wise not even 100 percent, the Tigers controlled the tempo against South Florida Wednesday night because he was on the floor.
His career numbers to this point prove Wise has been a player for the ages. He’s scored 1,438 points, blocked 212 shots, and grabbed 1028 rebounds in 118 games. Memphis won 70 of those 118 games.
Wise wasn’t a McDonald’s All-American like his teammate Wagner. He doesn’t score with the frequency of a Steve Logan and he doesn’t have the charismatic appearance that most adore, but Wise is a consistent winner.
The night he recorded his first double-double (10 points, 10 rebounds) against Arkansas-Pine Bluff during his freshman season, a Tiger all-time great was born.
Wise has put together a career that should be honored by hanging his No. 45 jersey from the rafters. No. 45 should hang above the court with greats like Perry, Keith Lee, Penny Hardaway, and Larry Finch.
Wise didn’t talk a good game, he played a good game, bringing to mind the words of this country’s 26th president.
He spoke softly and carried a big stick.
