University of Minnesota Athletics
Years of Preparation: Freshman Forward Kris Humphries
1/6/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
But for Kris Humphries, his summer was all about basketball. He had been preparing for college since he began at Hopkins High School and was more than eager to move on the next stage of his life after graduation. After being named Mr. Basketball of the State of Minnesota in 2003, a 2003 McDonald's and Parade All-American, as well as receiving many other awards, Humphries accomplished everything he ever wanted as a student and basketball star for Hopkins. Since his junior year of high school he has been working out and getting in shape to physically and mentally prepare for the next level.
Although Humphries' intense preparation was over the summer, he began well before that. He began working with Trent Tucker before school during his junior year at Hopkins. Tucker is a former Gopher basketball player who is eighth on Minnesota's career scoring list with 1,445 career points from 1978-82. He also enjoyed a long and successful NBA career, suiting up for the New York Knicks for 10 seasons and won two NBA titles with the Chicago Bulls. Tucker resides in Minnesota and spends most of his time running his non-profit foundation for children in the metro area.
Humphries made a commitment to Tucker, and Tucker made a commitment to helping Kris develop as a person and a basketball player. They developed a solid mentor-student relationship. Tucker believes that preparation is the key to success. When you work hard at something and when you learn how you can get your skill level up to a certain level to achieve, than you can see the bigger picture. Conditioning and being prepared are essential to any success and Tucker believes that Kris understands that and he knows how to work hard.
"I thought it was important that I started to work with Kris at a young age and teach him the importance of hard work," Tucker explained. "I wanted him to understand how much determination and time was necessary in order for him to play and succeed at the college level. I helped him understand what basic fundamentals he needed to work on to elevate his game."
Tucker worked with Humphries on everything from his shot to potential game situations. They did some analysis of specific situations at the physical and mental level. They would run through drills and train to build an all-around game. Tucker wanted Kris to be prepared for any situation. He encouraged him to drive the ball with his left hand to make him more of a two-way player.
"It is important to have a mental sharpness of the game," Tucker stated. "And that is what I wanted Kris to come away with."
"Kris knows he has to continue to work hard to continue to be mentally tough," Tucker explained. "His determination and drive to be the best are important to his development. When you have a young kid with a great work ethic the talent Kris has, you know he is someone that can go places."
Over the summer, Humphries' focus was on basketball and getting ready to play at the college level. He spent most of his summer either in the gym or the weight room. Humphries had a personal trainer that he would lift with and he continued his work out sessions with Tucker on a weekly basis.
In addition to having one-on-one time with Tucker, Humphries looked to another experienced and knowledgeable basketball player, Chris Carr, who played for the Minnesota Timberwolves from 1996-99. Carr and Humphries have a unique relationship and formed a bond that has really helped Humphries as an athlete. Chris introduced him to the reality of professional athletes and what it takes it to make it at that level.
"I have worked with Chris for a long time and he has helped me develop my mid-range game and my game in the post," explained Humphries.
Although working with experienced verterans is important, Humphries thought it was necessary to work with a variety of other people and test his skills against those at the professional level. Humphries spent three weeks in Florida at IMG Academy training with other college athletes and professionals.
"There were a lot of pros at IMG with various talents, so I had the chance to get good workouts in and play pickup games against some great basketball players," Humphries said.
"The summer was all about preparation for this year," Humphries stated. "I concentrated on certain areas that I needed to improve on. I worked on my shot a lot and my overall skills. Any other free time I had was spent out on the lake that my family lives on."
Starting college was not something he was nervous about. He was more excited than anything. Humphries was well aware that the toughest part was learning to balance everything and not having much free time.
"The first few weeks I realized I had to start writing stuff down in order to figure out how to get everything done," Humphries explained.
The obvious question that everyone asks about freshmen student-athletes is their maturity level and if they are ready to compete with athletes that are tougher, stronger, bigger and more talented than previous competition. However, there is no need to question how prepared Humphries is. The effort that he has put forth throughout his high school years and this past summer has prepared him more than he ever could be.
"I don't think I am as developed as I will be," Humphries explained. "But I think from a maturity standpoint, I have proven that I can handle the college lifestyle and basketball."
Humphries is ready for anything that comes his way. He looks forward to learning something new everyday. He enjoys practicing and being able to learn from other guys that have the experience that he has not had. He looks to them for support and encouragement, which is important to the teams overall success.
"Everyday I learn something new," Humphries stated. "The coaches and my teammates help me to improve my game. Guys like Ben Johnson and Michael Bauer have been here forever and know all the little things that I don't know, and that helps out a lot."
Kris is thankful to his parents, William and Debra, for giving him so many opportunities to improve as a basketball player and person. They have been there for him through everything and have helped mold his character.
"I am most impressed with his ability to put his faith and giving back to the community first, before anything else," Debra explained. "Giving back is important and I think Kris has a good understanding of how fortunate he is and how he can help others."
Kris has helped Trent Tucker with his after school programs and has put a lot of time into the Trent Tucker Foundation. The experience has been wonderful for him and the children that he has devoted his time to and has stayed in contact with to this day.
Kris' parents also have encouraged him to concentrate on his physical fitness which will help prevent injury and benefit him in the long run. Yoga and Pilates are important to develop as an athlete. It is crucial for him to do more than just play basketball and lift weights. Debra believes that it enhances his game and his body athletically.
"I try new things to improve as an athlete," Humphries said. "I do Pilates and yoga at home on Sundays with my mom. She encourages me a lot and I appreciate her support. At first I was forced into Pilates, and now I really like it."
Debra explains her son as an amazing individual who is determined and devoted to whatever he sets his mind to. She explained that it was important that Kris took a little time away from basketball right after he graduated, but then got right back into lifting weights, conditioning and working on his overall skills. He was focused on basketball and his preparation has obviously paid off.
"I am hungry to succeed," Humphries commented. "I always want to get better, and that is what my focus was on over the summer and what my focus is on today and what it always will be. My goals are far beyond basketball. I am here and focusing on college. But everyday I get up and think about what I can do to get better. I just want to take advantage of anything I can do."
Dan Monson and his Golden Gopher basketball team haven't reached the rigorous Big Ten season, but have been working on every area of the game to be ready for the rigorous up coming schedule. Humphries' preparation in high school and over the summer before coming to the Gophers has definitely been beneficial to the Gopher basketball team. He already leads the nation in scoring by a freshman with an average of 24.3 points. He is second in the country among freshmen in rebounds and eighth overall at 11.8 boards a game. He earned two Big Ten Player of the Week honors in the first three weeks of the season and is on pace to be the first freshman to ever lead the Big Ten in scoring and rebounding.
These are just a few of Humphries accomplishments through the beginning of the season and the list will only get bigger as the season continues. Hard work and determination pay off and Humphries has proven that his preparation over the years is guiding him to leave a mark in Gopher basketball history.
Written by Media Relations Student Assistant Jessica Fleischmann. She welcomes comments at gophers@umn.edu.
The summer after high school graduation is usually spent getting prepared to say goodbye and moving on to another part of life. It is spent working and making money for college, relaxing and enjoying the last three months before a whole new life begins and spending time with those that are moving away. It is a time to reflect on your childhood and adolescence. A time to prepare to be independent and live on your own, and a time to say goodbye to the "good old days of high school."
But for Kris Humphries, his summer was all about basketball. He had been preparing for college since he began at Hopkins High School and was more than eager to move on the next stage of his life after graduation. After being named Mr. Basketball of the State of Minnesota in 2003, a 2003 McDonald's and Parade All-American, as well as receiving many other awards, Humphries accomplished everything he ever wanted as a student and basketball star for Hopkins. Since his junior year of high school he has been working out and getting in shape to physically and mentally prepare for the next level.
Although Humphries' intense preparation was over the summer, he began well before that. He began working with Trent Tucker before school during his junior year at Hopkins. Tucker is a former Gopher basketball player who is eighth on Minnesota's career scoring list with 1,445 career points from 1978-82. He also enjoyed a long and successful NBA career, suiting up for the New York Knicks for 10 seasons and won two NBA titles with the Chicago Bulls. Tucker resides in Minnesota and spends most of his time running his non-profit foundation for children in the metro area.
Humphries made a commitment to Tucker, and Tucker made a commitment to helping Kris develop as a person and a basketball player. They developed a solid mentor-student relationship. Tucker believes that preparation is the key to success. When you work hard at something and when you learn how you can get your skill level up to a certain level to achieve, than you can see the bigger picture. Conditioning and being prepared are essential to any success and Tucker believes that Kris understands that and he knows how to work hard.
"I thought it was important that I started to work with Kris at a young age and teach him the importance of hard work," Tucker explained. "I wanted him to understand how much determination and time was necessary in order for him to play and succeed at the college level. I helped him understand what basic fundamentals he needed to work on to elevate his game."
Tucker worked with Humphries on everything from his shot to potential game situations. They did some analysis of specific situations at the physical and mental level. They would run through drills and train to build an all-around game. Tucker wanted Kris to be prepared for any situation. He encouraged him to drive the ball with his left hand to make him more of a two-way player.
"It is important to have a mental sharpness of the game," Tucker stated. "And that is what I wanted Kris to come away with."
"Kris knows he has to continue to work hard to continue to be mentally tough," Tucker explained. "His determination and drive to be the best are important to his development. When you have a young kid with a great work ethic the talent Kris has, you know he is someone that can go places."
Over the summer, Humphries' focus was on basketball and getting ready to play at the college level. He spent most of his summer either in the gym or the weight room. Humphries had a personal trainer that he would lift with and he continued his work out sessions with Tucker on a weekly basis.
In addition to having one-on-one time with Tucker, Humphries looked to another experienced and knowledgeable basketball player, Chris Carr, who played for the Minnesota Timberwolves from 1996-99. Carr and Humphries have a unique relationship and formed a bond that has really helped Humphries as an athlete. Chris introduced him to the reality of professional athletes and what it takes it to make it at that level.
"I have worked with Chris for a long time and he has helped me develop my mid-range game and my game in the post," explained Humphries.
Although working with experienced verterans is important, Humphries thought it was necessary to work with a variety of other people and test his skills against those at the professional level. Humphries spent three weeks in Florida at IMG Academy training with other college athletes and professionals.
"There were a lot of pros at IMG with various talents, so I had the chance to get good workouts in and play pickup games against some great basketball players," Humphries said.
"The summer was all about preparation for this year," Humphries stated. "I concentrated on certain areas that I needed to improve on. I worked on my shot a lot and my overall skills. Any other free time I had was spent out on the lake that my family lives on."
Starting college was not something he was nervous about. He was more excited than anything. Humphries was well aware that the toughest part was learning to balance everything and not having much free time.
"The first few weeks I realized I had to start writing stuff down in order to figure out how to get everything done," Humphries explained.
The obvious question that everyone asks about freshmen student-athletes is their maturity level and if they are ready to compete with athletes that are tougher, stronger, bigger and more talented than previous competition. However, there is no need to question how prepared Humphries is. The effort that he has put forth throughout his high school years and this past summer has prepared him more than he ever could be.
"I don't think I am as developed as I will be," Humphries explained. "But I think from a maturity standpoint, I have proven that I can handle the college lifestyle and basketball."
Humphries is ready for anything that comes his way. He looks forward to learning something new everyday. He enjoys practicing and being able to learn from other guys that have the experience that he has not had. He looks to them for support and encouragement, which is important to the teams overall success.
"Everyday I learn something new," Humphries stated. "The coaches and my teammates help me to improve my game. Guys like Ben Johnson and Michael Bauer have been here forever and know all the little things that I don't know, and that helps out a lot."
Kris is thankful to his parents, William and Debra, for giving him so many opportunities to improve as a basketball player and person. They have been there for him through everything and have helped mold his character.
"I am most impressed with his ability to put his faith and giving back to the community first, before anything else," Debra explained. "Giving back is important and I think Kris has a good understanding of how fortunate he is and how he can help others."
Kris has helped Trent Tucker with his after school programs and has put a lot of time into the Trent Tucker Foundation. The experience has been wonderful for him and the children that he has devoted his time to and has stayed in contact with to this day.
Kris' parents also have encouraged him to concentrate on his physical fitness which will help prevent injury and benefit him in the long run. Yoga and Pilates are important to develop as an athlete. It is crucial for him to do more than just play basketball and lift weights. Debra believes that it enhances his game and his body athletically.
"I try new things to improve as an athlete," Humphries said. "I do Pilates and yoga at home on Sundays with my mom. She encourages me a lot and I appreciate her support. At first I was forced into Pilates, and now I really like it."
Debra explains her son as an amazing individual who is determined and devoted to whatever he sets his mind to. She explained that it was important that Kris took a little time away from basketball right after he graduated, but then got right back into lifting weights, conditioning and working on his overall skills. He was focused on basketball and his preparation has obviously paid off.
"I am hungry to succeed," Humphries commented. "I always want to get better, and that is what my focus was on over the summer and what my focus is on today and what it always will be. My goals are far beyond basketball. I am here and focusing on college. But everyday I get up and think about what I can do to get better. I just want to take advantage of anything I can do."
Dan Monson and his Golden Gopher basketball team haven't reached the rigorous Big Ten season, but have been working on every area of the game to be ready for the rigorous up coming schedule. Humphries' preparation in high school and over the summer before coming to the Gophers has definitely been beneficial to the Gopher basketball team. He already leads the nation in scoring by a freshman with an average of 24.3 points. He is second in the country among freshmen in rebounds and eighth overall at 11.8 boards a game. He earned two Big Ten Player of the Week honors in the first three weeks of the season and is on pace to be the first freshman to ever lead the Big Ten in scoring and rebounding.
These are just a few of Humphries accomplishments through the beginning of the season and the list will only get bigger as the season continues. Hard work and determination pay off and Humphries has proven that his preparation over the years is guiding him to leave a mark in Gopher basketball history.
Written by Media Relations Student Assistant Jessica Fleischmann. She welcomes comments at gophers@umn.edu.
