Gary Bedore's thoughts: One of the most outgoing players on the team, Giddens likes to talk and talk and talk. Nothing wrong wih that. I hope he keeps up the enthusiastic attitude. Giddens' teammates will tell you he's as athletic a player as they've ever seen. Hopefully the stress fracture in his left foot, which was repaired last summer via surgery, won't slow him down. KU fans better hope the screw in his foot doesn't develop rust. Giddens comes in with McDonalds All-America credentials. He figures to be a star in the making, but I'm sure he'll have some inconsistencies like all freshmen. KU fans are smart enough to realize ALL freshmen have growing pains. I see Giddens as a Langford-type player in that he will find all sorts of ways to score.

GIDDENS AT A GLANCE
Favorite food: Pizza. Favorite TV show: Bet Midnight Love. Latest DVD purchase: When Darkness Falls. Nickname: Jay-Reeze. Dream Date is With: Megan Goods. If I could switch places with one person for a day: Michael Jordan.

After college I plan on : Going to NBA. Favorite hobby other than basketball: Hanging out. Favorite actor: Will Smith, Morris Chestnut. I try to mold my game after: T-Mac, Kobe. Chose jersey number because: It was given to me.

Favorite vacation spot: My bedroom. Favorite sports personality: Charles Barkley. Favorite NBA team: Orlando Magic. Favorite NBA player: T-Mac. Following actor would play me in a movie about my life: Flex Washington. Best friend on another team: Keith Smith, Colorado.

Favorite movie: He got game. Favorite non basketball pro athlete: Tiger Woods. Not many people know this but I: Love Cartoons.

Overview (courtesy of kuathletics.com)
A very athletic wing player who can contribute at shooting guard or small forward for the Jayhawks... A great slasher who gets to the hole with ease... An impressive leaper who was also a standout performer in track in high school... Described as an explosive player who likes to drive and dunk... Shoots well from the perimeter.

Summer, 2003
Participated in the 2003 Global Games in Dallas, Texas, where he was named Co-MVP (along with Deron Williams of Team USA) of the tournament in leading his squad to a 3-2 record and the silver medal... Averaged 16.0 points per game.... Also won the tournament's slam dunk contest.

High school
John Marshall High School (2003)... Coached by John Martin... A McDonald¹s High School All-American... Ranked as the 17th-best high school prospect in the country by ESPN.com... Led the Bears to the class 5A state championship as a senior in Oklahoma¹s Lloyd Noble Arena... Averaged just over 22 points and 10 rebounds per game as a senior... Racked up 25.0 points per game as a junior, ranking second in state to current KU teammate Jeremy Case, while grabbing 7.2 boards per game as a junior... Shot 55.0 percent from the floor and 48.0 percent from behind the arc as a junior.

Off the court
Exploded onto the national scene after an impressive showing at the BigTime Shootout after his sophomore year... An outstanding track athlete in high school, Giddens excelled at the high jump, where he cleared 6-feet, 10-inches... Played summer AAU ball with current KU teammate Jeremy Case... Chose Kansas over Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Purdue and Illinois... Some former Jayhawks to wear No. 15 include Ray Evans, Bud Stallworth and Jo Jo White.