KRISTIN ELVES/Arizona Daily Wildcat Whi Kim has matured into the Wildcats' No. 2 tennis player since traveling to Europe last summer to face stiffer competition.

Kim has become one of UA's top players

When Whi Kim was young, he pictured himself dunking and shooting on a basketball court when he got older.

However, he had no idea he would be doing something completely different - volleying and serving.

As a youngster, all Kim wanted to do was play basketball.

That is, until his parents - Kenny and Annie - bought him a tennis racket when he was 9 years old. They realized their son was not cut out for basketball, but rather a sport with more finesse - tennis.

The rest is history.

Eleven years later, the 20-year-old Kim is a member of the UA men's tennis team.

The team is sure grateful to Kim's parents, because if it wasn't for them he might still be shooting jump shots at the Rec Center rather than being the No. 2 player on the team.

Kim, a native of Pueblo, Colo., is 5-0 this season, but success has not come easily.

At Pueblo South High School, he earned first-team All-Colorado honors, but he still lacked experience his freshman year at UA.

"His potential is unlimited," Arizona head coach Bill Wright said. "He came from Colorado, and he just didn't have that much experience. He just has worked so hard, and he is a great athlete."

When he arrived at UA, he lacked the physical presence he needed to be a successful player.

However, the 6-foot-2 player dedicated himself to improving his conditioning and physical ability.

"He came in with a big serve," junior Tom Lloyd said. "He is pretty tall, but he wasn't that strong. The biggest improvement since last year is how fit he is. He has matured physically and become a much quicker player on the court. That has helped him so much this season."

After a successful freshman campaign, Kim made a decision he said has made a big impact his success this season.

Kim and Lloyd traveled to Europe last summer to play in international events.

"Tommy and I played for two and a half months in Europe, and I learned so much," Kim said. "It was a great experience to be able to play tennis outside of the country. I had a chance to meet many international players and learn from them. They play a different style of tennis and it was great to be able to learn from them. It helped me come into this season more prepared."

Lloyd said traveling with Kim all summer brought the two players closer together, which has been apparent on the court.

"Everyone is always around each other on this team," Lloyd said. "We never get sick of each other. I don't think there is any team in any sport that is closer than we are. It has helped us so much on the court."

Kim said he is also gaining knowledge from the older players on the team who have helped him this season.

"Watching the older players on our team like (seniors) Steve (Capriati) and Brian (Jackson) showed me what it takes to play at this level. Playing with them and watching them taught me a lot."

As UA's No. 2 player, Kim said he is focused on doing whatever it takes to help Arizona (6-1 overall) improve as a team and that he isn't really concerned with his personal goals and aspirations.

"Last weekend, I was in the middle of the second set and we already lost the match against Rice," Kim said. "I came back and won the match, but it was hard for me because the team lost.

"Individually, my own goals are something that I don't talk about. I am more concerned about the team making it to the postseason and doing well."

Maybe he learned that from playing basketball.