Jordan feels ‘the love’ during trip to Allen Fieldhouse for KU-NC State hoops game
Former Kansas standout point guard Adonis Jordan, a native New Yorker who has lived in Australia for many years, headed from Melbourne to the United States three weeks ago to begin a vacation with 16-year-old daughter Amayah.
The father/daughter duo attended the Brooklyn Nets-Orlando Magic game on Dec. 1 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn as well as the New York Knicks-Magic contest on Dec. 3 at Madison Square Garden.
While thoroughly enjoying those games, Jordan, who started on a pair of Final Four teams (1991 and 1993) in his four-year KU career (1989-90 through 1992-93), reminded Amayah they were saving the best for last: a trip to Lawrence for his alma mater’s game against North Carolina State on Saturday at Allen Fieldhouse.
“I took my daughter to some NBA games in New York. I said, ‘We’re coming to The Mecca (of basketball) right now.’ It’s awesome to feel the energy,” Jordan said in an interview on the Jayhawk radio network held before KU’s 75-60 victory over the Wolfpack.
The Jordans were able to visit with some of Adonis’ former KU teammates — Greg Gurley, Patrick Richey, Alonzo Jamison, Malcolm Nash and Kirk Wagner — during their trip to the fieldhouse.
“It’s the love that we felt coming in the building,” Jordan said of the highlight of their stop in Lawrence.
Adonis Jordan quickly discovered upon driving from KC International Airport to Lawrence on Friday that he had not been forgotten by Lawrence natives.
“Five minutes,” Jordan said of how long he was in town before being recognized. “We went to get some water from the gas station. The owner was there. He recognized me. The owner is taking photos and everything. (It was) very cool,” he added.
He had a good view of the action Saturday, seated with his daughter a couple of rows behind the KU bench.
“It was great. It was awesome. The energy was live,” he told The Star in an interview held after the final horn sounded on a KU victory that snapped a two-game losing streak.
“I knew we were going to come out and play hard after the two losses. We got a big lead. They came back. We held ‘em down,” Jordan added.
Indeed KU, which blazed to leads of 15-0 and 19-3, led, 38-30, at halftime. KU outscored the Wolfpack by seven the final 20 minutes.
“It was a good victory at this time of the year,” Jordan said after the Jayhawks improved to 8-2 with one nonconference game remaining before the start of the Big 12 season. N.C. State dropped to 7-4.
“I think the losses are going to turn out to be a good thing. This time of year you’ve got to regroup and I think we’re going to continue to see some good Kansas basketball,” Jordan added.
Jordan was asked his opinion of the Jayhawks’ current point guard. Senior Dajuan Harris scored 15 points on 6-of-11 shooting with six assists to three turnovers with two steals in 36 minutes vs. N.C. State. Harris was 3-of-6 from 3.
“I love the whole team,” Jordan said, adding of Harris, “He’s the floor general. People say he doesn’t shoot a lot, but when he shoots, he makes them.”
The 54-year-old Jordan, who said he watches as many KU games as possible back in Australia where he’s lived since concluding an 11-year pro career, acknowledged Allen Fieldhouse has changed a lot since his playing days.
He last trip to the fieldhouse was six years ago but it was in April after the season had ended.
“It’s been a long time to see a game. It’s very different but at the same time … just the energy is the same. Unforgettable,” said Jordan, who brought his two Final Four rings with him to the game Saturday for good luck.
“I love Kansas. I love KU. I love Rock Chalk,” he stated.
KU fans and former Jayhawk coach Roy Williams certainly return the love to Jordan.
He is considered one of the most important recruits in Jayhawk history. That’s because he signed a letter of intent with the Jayhawks while they were on probation for violations committed before Roy Williams became KU coach. Williams has said Jordan’s signing provided momentum in recruiting and allowed the program to rebuild quickly evidenced by the Final Fours during Jordan’s college career.
Perhaps in fond appreciation the fans on Saturday gave Jordan a standing ovation when he was introduced to the crowd during a timeout in the first half.
His daughter Amayah told The Star that KU could conceivably be home of another Jordan.
Her dad’s alma mater is definitely on her list of possible colleges. Adonis was asked if he’d ever want to return to making his home in the U.S. perhaps when Amayah attends college in Lawrence.
“I would love to … maybe sitting on that bench,” he said with a smile, referring to the KU bench.
Jordan is a youth coach in Australia who also works “in family services, trying to help a lot of young players with their dream to come to America and go to college.”
He said KU basketball is well known in Australia, especially with Australia native Johnny Furphy playing for the Jayhawks last season before heading to the NBA after one year in college.
“Every bar … every game was up there (on TV),” Jordan said of folks watching Furphy play in a Kansas jersey. “I am always promoting KU, asking them to send hoodies for the kids. It’s been great.”
Jordan and his daughter visited with 22nd-year KU coach Bill Self after the game in the hallway leading to the KU locker room.
“Adonis ... he was playing when I was an assistant at Oklahoma State. He was a damn good point guard. He’s living in Melbourne now, if I’m not mistaken. So he probably doesn’t get a chance to get here much. But it’s great that he came to a game,” Self said. “I know it’s been a while. I don’t know if he’s been to a game since I’ve been here. And then of course, Wagner was here and Nash was here, and then my favorite of the group, Gradey (Dick) was here. So it was great to see them,” Self added of Jayhawks in the crowd.
The Jayhawks, who are entering finals week, will next meet Brown at 2 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 22, at Allen.
This story was originally published December 15, 2024 at 11:31 AM with the headline "Jordan feels ‘the love’ during trip to Allen Fieldhouse for KU-NC State hoops game."
