Ahead of Senior Day, Jayhawks’ Mitch Lightfoot says it’s been ‘privilege’ to play at KU
For 24-year-old Mitch Lightfoot, it was a no-brainer to accept the NCAA’s offer of a Super Senior season at the University of Kansas.
“I wanted my last year of college to be one not affected by COVID. I wanted the ability to spend more time under a coach as good as Coach Self,” explained Lightfoot, a 6-foot-8, 225-pound power forward, who was born in Kansas City, then moved to Arizona when he was 5.
Even at a very young age he was attracted to KU and became a transplanted Jayhawk fan out in the desert.
“We (players) get to be treated like royalty and play before some of the best fans in the nation. It’s something I truly value. It’s been a privilege. I’ve been excited to do this one more year,” added Lightfoot.
Lightfoot — he has been a fixture on KU’s campus for six years now — believe it or not, is about to play his last game in Allen Fieldhouse.
Tipoff for KU’s Senior Day contest against Texas is 3 p.m. Saturday. Lightfoot and fellow seniors Ochai Agbaji, David McCormack, Chris Teahan, Jalen Coleman-Lands and Remy Martin will be honored before and again after the game when the six take turns speaking to the fans.
Lightfoot has lots of memories, of his time as a Jayhawk. He’s played in more games than anybody else in KU history. He’s played in 158 games, and has started 10. Danny Manning (1985-88) is second in total games played at KU (147).
Yes, Lightfoot’s played in a lot of games and been durable despite giving up his body on many occasions diving for loose balls. He’s led KU’s team in charges taken three different seasons.
“Honestly I do what I can to get us extra possessions, whether it’s putting my body on the line getting a charge or a blocked shot. You get in their way and get ready to get knocked over. I don’t think there’s anything too complicated or crazy about it. You look across college basketball, everybody takes charges nowadays. I can’t imagine ever missing out on taking an easy charge,” Lightfoot said.
Lightfoot likes to set a good example in holding his ground on defense. He prides himself on being somebody who works well with young Jayhawk players.
“Mitch is probably the best influencer on the team for me,” said freshman forward KJ Adams, a power forward who says he’s learned a lot from talks with Lightfoot.
“He always tells me where to go, makes sure I know the plays. He gives me confidence, tells me, ’You’ve got this.’ He gives me confidence to do what I do. That feels good coming from a leader,” Adams added.
KU coach Bill Self is somebody Lightfoot will always have on his resume, that’s for sure. Self speaks highly of Lightfoot the the player and person.
“Mitch is Mitch. You know what he’s going to give you … everything,” Self said. “He loves KU so much. He is so loyal.
“He’s been great ever since he arrived here. Mitch has done well. Trust me, six years of my rhetoric would be anything to wear people out. The other day I went around the locker room and I said to all of the guys, ‘Are you sick and tired of my voice yet?’
“Some said, ‘Not quite yet.’ Some said, ‘Yeah it’s getting, wearing on me quite a bit. This and this.’ I said, ‘You guys are so soft, so selfish. You’ve been here a few months and this dude has been here six years and he’s been listening to the same crap for six years. You think you’ve got it so bad, how about putting yourself in his shoes?’’’
Lightfoot described what he’s set out to do in his six seasons (he redshirted in 2019-20) at Kansas.
“Just try to go out there, give my team the best chance to win,” he said. “I’ve always tried to bring some energy to the game, know my role and that’s to bring energy.”
Lightfoot — he has averaged 4.6 points and 2.9 rebounds while playing 11.7 minutes a game in 30 games (two starts) this season — explained his offensive and defensive philosophy.
“Try to be there to alter shots at the rim,” he said of defense. He has 19 blocks this season for KU, which takes a 24-6 record (13-4 in the Big 12) into the finale versus Texas (21-9, 10-7).
“It helps our guards a lot when they can depend on somebody being there to alter shots at the rim. It allows them maybe to get bailed out if they do happen to get blown by. I try to play hard on the perimeter as well.
“Like Coach says it always starts on defense. If you can hold them to less points that gives us an opportunity to outscore them. It starts on the defensive end.”
Offense?
“I wouldn’t say I’m hunting shots or anything, just trying to find stuff within the rhythm of the offense. I try to give what we need out of the post position, some days it’s scoring, converting those jump hooks and stuff,” Lightfoot said.
Indeed … “He has a great jump hook,” Self said of Lightfoot, who for the year has converted 61 of 92 shots for a sizzling 66.3%. He is 16-of-29 from the line for 55.2%.
Lightfoot has been part of one Final Four team (2017-18) along with fellow senior Teahan. He’d like to enjoy a similar run this postseason.
“I wouldn’t say how I want to be remembered. I just want the teams I’ve played on to be remembered,” Lightfoot said.
This story was originally published March 4, 2022 at 10:25 AM with the headline "Ahead of Senior Day, Jayhawks’ Mitch Lightfoot says it’s been ‘privilege’ to play at KU."
