'Ultimate honor' for Hinrich

Maybe if things work out the way Kirk Hinrich would prefer, Sunday will simply be the first time one of his jerseys is retired.

"I definitely want to be a career-long Chicago Bull," he said. "Hopefully, that works out."

Well, first things first. Hinrich took some time during a break in the schedule Thursday to discuss an honor bestowed by Kansas University. Hinrich's No. 10 jersey will be retired at halftime of Sunday's game against Missouri.

"It's an unbelievable honor," he said. "I feel like Allen Fieldhouse is a very magical place, it's so rich in tradition. There are so many great players that played there."

So many, in fact, that Kansas retires jerseys, not numbers. Hinrich will be the 21st men's basketball player to have his jersey retired, according to the Kansas media guide.

"I feel like for myself, it's the ultimate honor," he said. "I don't know if there's a greater honor in basketball than to have your jersey hanging in the most historic basketball building in the world."

Oklahoma City forward Nick Collison, Hinrich's college teammate, is expected to be on hand for the ceremony. Hinrich and Collison helped lead the Jayhawks to two Final Fours and the 2003 NCAA title game, where they lost to Syracuse.

Collison and ex-Bulls forward Drew Gooden have already had their jerseys retired. Along with Hinrich, all three players were in the same recruiting class, though Gooden turned pro a year early.

"I think the thing that was most special about us was just the chemistry and camaraderie," Hinrich said. "Everybody gave up a part of their game to fit into the team and what we needed go do to win. That's ultimately what I think Kansas basketball is all about and that's what I feel most proud to be a part of."

Hinrich, a native of Sioux City, Iowa, ranks among the top 10 in Kansas history in scoring, assists, 3-pointers, steals and games played. Before Sunday, he plans to phone his college coach, Roy Williams, who switched jobs and went to North Carolina after Hinrich's senior season.

"I think I'd like to be remembered as a winner and as a guy who just laid it on the line every night; played his hardest, gave it his all his entire career," Hinrich said. "I don't really have any regrets. If the ball had bounced a different way, maybe we could have won a championship."