Monk and basketball
Charity Tosses
Derek Oxford
Issue date: 10/29/08 Section: Sports
When former Arkansas wide receiver Marcus Monk declared for the NFL Draft early this year, I figured that I would no longer see him wear the cardinal and white of the Razorbacks.
But now, that proves to be not the case, as there is a chance Monk will come back and play basketball for coach John Pelphrey and the Hogs.
Monk played 10 games for the hoopsters in 2004-05 during Stan Heath's tenure, arriving from the football team in early December.
Originally, the wide receiver was supposed to be a two-sport athlete, having excelled in both sports at East Poinsett County High School.
His freshman year of football likely changed those plans, however, when he snagged 37 balls for 569 yards and 6 touchdowns, leading all freshman receivers in the Southeastern Conference and set a record for catches in a season by a freshman.
After appearing in 10 games that winter for the basketball team, he stayed in football for the remainder of his time at Arkansas, attempting to become Arkansas all-time leading receiver in a variety of categories.
Had he not sustained an injury in early 2007, he likely would have reset every receiving record the school holds, and the season's result might have been drastically different.
That's the past, though.
Pelphrey said that he had never seen Monk bounce a basketball before, but was aware of him through football and appreciated the toughness he showed in coming back from his injury.
In other words, Pelphrey realizes the athletic talent that Monk is, and how he could fill the void of athleticism in the backcourt that was lost when Patrick Beverley had to hit the road.
And he also knows that Monk is the kind of player that Pelphrey loves - a player that will work hard and bust his butt to get the job done - similar to how Pelphrey played when he was at Kentucky.
Fans likely are excited to know that Monk has the opportunity to play as a Razorback once again, but the only concern is how the chemistry that the team has built thus far will be affected with the addition of Monk.
But now, that proves to be not the case, as there is a chance Monk will come back and play basketball for coach John Pelphrey and the Hogs.
Monk played 10 games for the hoopsters in 2004-05 during Stan Heath's tenure, arriving from the football team in early December.
Originally, the wide receiver was supposed to be a two-sport athlete, having excelled in both sports at East Poinsett County High School.
His freshman year of football likely changed those plans, however, when he snagged 37 balls for 569 yards and 6 touchdowns, leading all freshman receivers in the Southeastern Conference and set a record for catches in a season by a freshman.
After appearing in 10 games that winter for the basketball team, he stayed in football for the remainder of his time at Arkansas, attempting to become Arkansas all-time leading receiver in a variety of categories.
Had he not sustained an injury in early 2007, he likely would have reset every receiving record the school holds, and the season's result might have been drastically different.
That's the past, though.
Pelphrey said that he had never seen Monk bounce a basketball before, but was aware of him through football and appreciated the toughness he showed in coming back from his injury.
In other words, Pelphrey realizes the athletic talent that Monk is, and how he could fill the void of athleticism in the backcourt that was lost when Patrick Beverley had to hit the road.
And he also knows that Monk is the kind of player that Pelphrey loves - a player that will work hard and bust his butt to get the job done - similar to how Pelphrey played when he was at Kentucky.
Fans likely are excited to know that Monk has the opportunity to play as a Razorback once again, but the only concern is how the chemistry that the team has built thus far will be affected with the addition of Monk.
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