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An Ode to Wayne Blackshear

Probably one of my top five ever to don the Red and White, I offer up this poem.

Hailed as the next savior, but really a saint
Arrived, shoulders torn, going too hard in the paint
From Chicago in High School better than Anthony Davis
Expectations so high, anything else, fallacious

Fans waiting patiently, then he was hurt again
Red shirt freshman year, or take him for a spin?
He hit the court with a few games to go
Showed all that potential with more room to grow
Final Four dunking on Cats would be the routine
Super sweet stroke, eyeliner is clean

Sophomore year came splitting time with the Mobster
Surely here comes the Wayne Blackshear Monster
Fans start to grumble though when he doesn't show up
A game there or two just wasn't enough
But the team was rolling so it wasn't no thing
Cutting down the nets with Siva, Russ and Gorgui Dieng
What some don't remember about that championship game
First points in both halves scored by Wayne

Junior year the Luke and Russ show, we were all witnesses
Wayne taking a back seat, knew it was all business
There was only one ball, yup limited touches
It just wasn't his year, and ended in Cal's clutches

Senior year was here, time to step up to the plate
Put down the Wendy's fries and the frosty chocolate shake
Put in the time, worked on body and game
Yeah this was the year without the "same old Wayne"
Folks tired of flashes, wanted the real deal
Consistency was key, like the game was a meal
Zero points at Syracuse, then the team fell apart
They wanted more from Wayne, not just brains and heart

But dammit when it was time he put the team on his shoulders
Driving the lane like a true Cardinal soldier
Elite 8 time, and Izzo should be scared
Because Super Wayne was finally there
In the end though we all came up short
But my boy Blackshear left it all on the court
Puke on his kicks and jersey covered in blood
1,000 point scorer, true Academic stud
Got 1 ring, two fours, a sixteen and an eight
Should be seen as an all-time great
Now the lights are out, the Yum is closed for the year
And there will never be another Wayne Blackshear

Thanks for reading!