This is the sixth of our “Meet the Jays” segments featuring the 2009-2010 Creighton Bluejays men’s basketball players. Join us as we profile different scholarship players each day leading up to the season opener at Dayton on November 14.
Some might wonder if Kaleb Korver’s first two seasons at Creighton have gone as he expected. Some might wonder if being proceeded at Creighton by a brother who won two conference Player of the Year awards and is in the middle of a successful NBA career would bring some high expectations from fans as well as from Kaleb himself. Korver has spent the first two seasons at Creighton trying to battle other players for minutes at the wing and small forward positions. However, his stats per game almost doubled last season from his freshman year, and he started two games for Dana Altman.
Korver’s junior season appears to offer the sharpshooter from Pella, Iowa, different opportunities to break out as a difference-maker. He has been working hard during the offseason in developing more opportunities off the dribble and driving to the basket. Part of that effort may have earned him a spot in Creighton’s two exhibition games. Last season, Korver scored only two field goals that were not 3-point baskets, but he doesn’t necessarily want to be known as just an outside shooter.
“I’d like to think of myself, for a guard, as a good rebounder and someone who goes after the ball. I think I have pretty good floor vision and am good passer. I like to make plays by making good back cuts. “
One of the biggest moments in Korver’s career came last season against Kentucky in an NIT game at the Qwest Center, when he stuffed a dunk attempt by All-American Jodie Meeks. The other was this great drive to the basket against Bradley.
Kaleb shrugs off questions about his older brother Kyle and comparisons and expectations people might have for him.
“I think Kyle is far enough away and that around here people know about me and my family and my brothers, but I don’t think there are any unfair expectations.”
Korver is excited to pick up where the team left off in their hard-fought, last-second loss to the Wildcats last March.
“It was a blast. That was the loudest I had ever seen the Qwest Center. It was a whole lot of fun. The place was going nuts the whole game, but I am really looking forward to getting back on the court again and playing.”
Creighton appears to be full of shooters this season. With Korver, Casey Harriman, and Ethan Wragge they could have a 3-point contest or a game or H-O-R-S-E. I’m sure it would be exciting to see.
Take the opportunity to see Korver Saturday afternoon against Dayton to tip off the season. People in Omaha can watch the game on Cox Channel 2.
