All here and accounted for. The USA National Team for the upcoming World University Games (WUG), July 3-14 in Gwangju, Korea, is all present as the 11 Kansas men's basketball contingent, joined by SMU guard Nic Moore the afternoon of June 12, continued practicing for the upcoming games.
…"Practices have been good and with Nic in here today, we'll have our full complement of guys," said USA National Team head coach Bill Self who has guided Kansas to an unprecedented 11-straight Big 12 Conference regular-season titles (2005-15) and two Final Fours as the Jayhawks are the winningest program in NCAA Division I since the 2006-07 season, averaging 31.1 wins in that span with an 83.8 winning percentage. "I'm pleased. We're experimenting on some different things and they guys are really trying hard, they're jacked and going at it. It is very competitive."
KUAD
The pace of play has been fast and furious at Kansas University’s World University Games basketball practices the past nine days.
“Our guys ... they always say they want to play fast. They don’t know what playing fast is until they’ve actually practiced this way,” KU coach Bill Self said Monday before holding a two-hour workout in the Jayhawks’ practice facility.
There is no walking the basketball up the court during the Jayhawk workouts in response to international basketball’s 24-second clock. It is drastically different from the 35-second clock college hoops has employed the past many years, to be reduced to 30 seconds for the 2015-16 season.
“It’s different,” Self said. “Playing with a short clock, you can’t run a different offense against every defense. You can’t have a slow press offense whenever people try to soft press you. You’ve got to get it and go. It’s been good for me to basically kind of re-evaluate how we do things to make our guys play with more pace."
LJW
Kansas University coach/Basketball Boogie emcee/comedian Bill Self on Saturday roasted a current KU player and one the Jayhawks have borrowed from SMU for the 2015 World University Games.
“Frank wanted us to make sure to take Nic so he wasn’t the shortest guy on the team,” Self deadpanned in introducing SMU senior Nic Moore to several hundred patrons who attended Saturday night’s Assists Foundation fundraiser at Abe and Jake’s Landing.
Frank Mason III is indeed KU’s shortest player at 5-foot-11, 185-pounds, while Moore stands 5-9, 170. All joking aside, Self has utmost respect for junior point guard Mason, as well as Moore, floor general at SMU.
“I feel loved here ... but I’m a Mustang at heart,” Moore said Sunday after signing autographs for 21⁄2 hours at Self’s basketball camp orientation in Anschutz Pavilion. “I’ve only been here for a day-and-a-half now. I’m getting used to the things that the guys do. Everybody has made me feel welcome so far.”
Moore said it was an “honor” for him to be asked to be the only non-KU player on the USA’s 2015 World University Games team.
…Moore in just one practice has already made an impression.
“I learned he’s a leader. He got there halfway through (Friday’s) practice, walked in and acted like he owned the place. That’s exactly what best players in leagues do,” Self said.
Moore explained his entrance: “I actually hopped off a plane, started signing some papers. I only got to practice with the guys about 35 minutes, so I haven’t really gotten to see anything yet,” he said.
Asked if he’s going to “be shy or be a leader,” Moore said: “I’m definitely going to be a leader. I wouldn’t be here if I was shy.”
KU senior Perry Ellis, who has been a leader mainly by example, said he was all in favor of adding Moore to the team.
“He seems like a great guy. I like him,” Ellis said, adding, “He moves the ball real well. He can score and is vocal. He’s going to be a huge addition to us.”
LJW
In preparation for the World University Games, KU’s USA National Team will face Team Canada in two exhibition games, June 23 and 26, at 7 p.m. at Sprint Center, in Kansas City, Missouri. Tickets are available with a two-game ticket package for $50. Fans can purchase tickets online at Sprint Center. For additional information, call the Kansas Athletics ticket office at 800-34-HAWKS.
2015 World University Games - Men’s Basketball Pool D Schedule
Saturday, July 4
12 p.m. – USA vs. Turkey at Dongkang Gymnasium (July 3, 10 p.m. Central)
5:30 p.m. – Brazil vs. Chile at Yeonggwang Sportium Gymnasium
8 p.m. – Serbia vs. Switzerland at Gwangju University Gymnasium
Sunday, July 5
6 p.m. – Turkey vs. Switzerland at Gwangju University Gymnasium
8:30 p.m. – Brazil vs. USA at Dongkang Gymnasium (July 5, 6:30 a.m. Central)
8:30 p.m. – Chile vs. Serbia at Muan Indoor Gymnasium
Tuesday, July 7
12 p.m. – Switzerland vs. Brazil at Muan Indoor Gymnasium
2:30 p.m. – Chile vs. USA at Muan Indoor Gymnasium (July 7, 12:30 a.m. Central)
2:30 p.m. – Serbia vs. Turkey at Muan Indoor Gymnasium
Wednesday, July 8
12 p.m. – USA vs. Serbia at Dongkang Gymnasium (July 7, 10 p.m. Central)
2:30 p.m. – Switzerland vs. Chile at Dongkang Gymnasium
5:30 p.m. – Brazil vs. Turkey at Dongkang Gymnasium
Thursday, July 9
10 a.m. – USA vs. Switzerland at Dongkang Gymnasium (July 8, 8 p.m. Central)
6 p.m. – Serbia vs. Brazil at Muan Indoor Gymnasium
6 p.m. – Turkey vs. Chile at Gwangju University Gymnasium
July 10-13 Bracket Play
Medal Bracket Play will be held in Dongkang Gymnasium.
Self said the competition should be fairly difficult, and he’s looking forward to playing with a shot clock (24 seconds) -- and also experimenting a bit. Kansas has been almost exclusively a man-to-man defensive team under Self, but he said he may try out some zone defenses. He also may press, another thing his Kansas teams have rarely done.
“I may find out I like it more than I thought I would,” Self said. “But we’ve been such a good defensive team statistically, I haven’t really wanted to go away from what’s worked. We’ve tried stuff in the past but spent 10 days on it and then kicked it to the curb. This is different because we have unlimited practices and then a bunch of games.”
Self said there are a few other things he’s looking forward to seeing:
- He intends to have point guards Frank Mason and Devonte Graham on the floor at the same time. “Playing those two guys together a lot can help us moving forward.”
- The continued development of Wayne Selden. Self said Selden has used his shot to set up other aspects of his game, instead of using his strength and ability to get to the rim to set up his shot. “He didn’t have a bad year, but he just didn’t have the year people were expecting him to have -- and I think he started pressing.”
- His first look at talented freshman forward Carlton Bragg, and also increased minutes for Hunter Mickelson. “Hunter’s already a good player, he just hasn’t gotten a chance to play a lot.”
@ESPNAndyKatz and I visit with @KUHoops Bill Self and @CycloneATH @CoachProhm http://t.co/fhUeddrP4b
— Seth Greenberg (@SethOnHoops) June 15, 2015
The 2015-16 Kansas Basketball team being introduced at the Bill Self Boogie. Great time for great cause. #kubball pic.twitter.com/HrLPSiYwt8
— Andrew Baker (@abaker6sports) June 14, 2015
I did it ...Now Next Step Is Kansas babypic.twitter.com/SWxMyudsbo
— _cd13 (@cheick_diallo13) June 13, 2015
Coaching in this year's Classic is KU's all-time assist leader, Aaron Miles! pic.twitter.com/u8uM8G6cIF
— Rock Chalk Roundball (@RCRClassic) June 16, 2015
Some great items on our silent auction this year, like a Mario Chalmers signed basketball and D Manning signed jersey pic.twitter.com/M7JgOhoNko
— Rock Chalk Roundball (@RCRClassic) June 15, 2015
The name you've all been asking about...Yes, @BenMcLemore is coming back for his second Roundball Classic! #kubball pic.twitter.com/jkv00BVenX
— Rock Chalk Roundball (@RCRClassic) June 15, 2015
Kings shooting guard Ben McLemore is looking to add consistency to his game on the offensive and defensive side of the ball. Outside of basketball, he's also looking to express himself this summer through another passion - rapping.
The 22-year-old guard is hoping to release a mixtape in July. The compilation will feature songs about his life, how he grew up and his family and friends. McLemore was raised by a single mother in a 600-square-foot home in the suburbs of St. Louis with five other siblings. He once told USA Today that he would sometimes go days without food. One of those siblings is his brother, who is currently serving a 15-year prison sentence. Two of the songs on his mixtape are already available on YouTube, one of which includes McLemore speaking about his brother and features a telephone conversation between the two.
(For those sensitive to foul language, cover your ears.)
Link
The 22-year-old guard is hoping to release a mixtape in July. The compilation will feature songs about his life, how he grew up and his family and friends. McLemore was raised by a single mother in a 600-square-foot home in the suburbs of St. Louis with five other siblings. He once told USA Today that he would sometimes go days without food. One of those siblings is his brother, who is currently serving a 15-year prison sentence. Two of the songs on his mixtape are already available on YouTube, one of which includes McLemore speaking about his brother and features a telephone conversation between the two.
(For those sensitive to foul language, cover your ears.)
Link
Kelly Oubre's NBA Draft Workout! http://t.co/rFKeaaKaZz pic.twitter.com/zVapZabuEm
— Hoopmixtape.com (@Hoopmixtape) June 1, 2015
"I've been able to work with a lot of talented players, but it's really exciting to be on the ground floor with (Wiggins) and be there for the beginning, see how far he can take his game," Hanlen said last week from Portland, Ore., where he'd accompanied Wiggins to meetings with Adidas. "I think he just showed a few signs or flashes of how good he can be.
"I think he's capable of becoming an All-Star next season, which will be pretty cool considering the All-Star Game is in his hometown next year."
Fox Sports
That means that the Timberwolves have two offseason objectives — only two.
1 – Make sure to give Andrew Wiggins whatever he needs to continue his development in a way which will result in him hitting his potential as soon as humanly possible.
2 – Scout the NBA Draft to the point of knowing what kind of underwear top prospects wear because the number one overall pick could (and should in a blue sky scenario for them) be the pillars of their organization to Wiggins’ foundation.
Fox Sports
If Embiid is unable to get on a basketball court and stay there, it won't be because analytics failed the Sixers. It will be physics, and specifically the pounding that a nearly 300-pound man can exert on what might be an exceptionally fragile skeletal system. Before the foot fracture was discovered prior to last year's draft, Embiid had missed the final weeks of his lone college season and the NCAA tournament because of a stress fracture in his back.
All of this was known when Hinkie and his analysts performed the calculation that two bone injuries, plus the bargain of not having Embiid for at least one season, was still an acceptable risk. What wasn't known, and still isn't now, was whether those two injuries were isolated bad luck for Embiid or an indication of chronic problems that would dog his basketball career.
As we look at it today, the answer to that question could go either way. Embiid might recover fully and be the dominant player his skills indicate. Then again, he might not.
"We're not going to bat 1.000 on every single draft pick. We have them by the bushelful in part because of that, because we don't have any hubris we will get them all right," Hinkie said at the February trade deadline. "We're not certain we have an edge over anyone else. We're not certain we have an edge at all. That's OK. It's a hard league, with 30 teams trying to clamber to the top of the same mountain."
Embiid's condition - and there is no guarantee the Sixers are being entirely forthcoming about its severity, not that they should be - puts next week's NBA draft, in which the team again holds the third pick, in an entirely new light.
philly.com
On Monday, Embiid’s college coach, Bill Self, addressed the media and discussed what he knows about the latest chapter in his former pupil’s story.
Benton Smith of KUSports shared some of Self’s comments on Embiid.
“Basically, he’s been working out and everything, and the doctor told him, based on doing the MRIs or X-rays or whatever they do, even though it feels better, it doesn’t look like it’s made the progress they would hope at this stage, so they were gonna slow him down,” Self told the media.
Self also took the time to draw a distinction between a “setback,” and what Embiid has been told.
“By no means, from what [Embiid] has told us, ‘slow down’ does not mean major setback. It means they’re gonna give it a little bit more time to heal before they put him in stressful situations.”
For Sixers fans who were ready to press the panic button, take a step back and take a deep breath. Embiid reportedly was not hurt doing any particular activity and he is not experiencing pain.
Could this be an absolutely dire situation for the franchise? Yes, it absolutely can.
However, it is too early to panic.
CBS Philly
"I think he's capable of becoming an All-Star next season, which will be pretty cool considering the All-Star Game is in his hometown next year."
Fox Sports
That means that the Timberwolves have two offseason objectives — only two.
1 – Make sure to give Andrew Wiggins whatever he needs to continue his development in a way which will result in him hitting his potential as soon as humanly possible.
2 – Scout the NBA Draft to the point of knowing what kind of underwear top prospects wear because the number one overall pick could (and should in a blue sky scenario for them) be the pillars of their organization to Wiggins’ foundation.
Fox Sports
If Embiid is unable to get on a basketball court and stay there, it won't be because analytics failed the Sixers. It will be physics, and specifically the pounding that a nearly 300-pound man can exert on what might be an exceptionally fragile skeletal system. Before the foot fracture was discovered prior to last year's draft, Embiid had missed the final weeks of his lone college season and the NCAA tournament because of a stress fracture in his back.
All of this was known when Hinkie and his analysts performed the calculation that two bone injuries, plus the bargain of not having Embiid for at least one season, was still an acceptable risk. What wasn't known, and still isn't now, was whether those two injuries were isolated bad luck for Embiid or an indication of chronic problems that would dog his basketball career.
As we look at it today, the answer to that question could go either way. Embiid might recover fully and be the dominant player his skills indicate. Then again, he might not.
"We're not going to bat 1.000 on every single draft pick. We have them by the bushelful in part because of that, because we don't have any hubris we will get them all right," Hinkie said at the February trade deadline. "We're not certain we have an edge over anyone else. We're not certain we have an edge at all. That's OK. It's a hard league, with 30 teams trying to clamber to the top of the same mountain."
Embiid's condition - and there is no guarantee the Sixers are being entirely forthcoming about its severity, not that they should be - puts next week's NBA draft, in which the team again holds the third pick, in an entirely new light.
philly.com
On Monday, Embiid’s college coach, Bill Self, addressed the media and discussed what he knows about the latest chapter in his former pupil’s story.
Benton Smith of KUSports shared some of Self’s comments on Embiid.
“Basically, he’s been working out and everything, and the doctor told him, based on doing the MRIs or X-rays or whatever they do, even though it feels better, it doesn’t look like it’s made the progress they would hope at this stage, so they were gonna slow him down,” Self told the media.
Self also took the time to draw a distinction between a “setback,” and what Embiid has been told.
“By no means, from what [Embiid] has told us, ‘slow down’ does not mean major setback. It means they’re gonna give it a little bit more time to heal before they put him in stressful situations.”
For Sixers fans who were ready to press the panic button, take a step back and take a deep breath. Embiid reportedly was not hurt doing any particular activity and he is not experiencing pain.
Could this be an absolutely dire situation for the franchise? Yes, it absolutely can.
However, it is too early to panic.
CBS Philly
. @keith_langford giving away 2 scholarships at #TheMetroClassic Saturday. @NinaZavalaGroup giving away 2 tix to @swish41 heroes game! #RT
— Nina Zavala Group (@NinaZavalaGroup) June 15, 2015
Former North Crowley and Kansas basketball star Keith Langford is hosting a charity basketball game Saturday at North Crowley High School. Langford’s teams at Kansas reached the Final Four in 2002 and 2003. He plays for the Russian club UNICS Kazan in the European professional basketball league.
The event begins with an autograph session at 2 p.m. followed by the basketball game. Tickets are $3.
Star-Telegram
Miami Heat guard Mario Chalmers revealed Tuesday that the recent procedure on his right knee actually was to address a season-long issue.
On hand Tuesday at AmericanAirlines Arena as the team announced a $350,000 donation from the team's charitable fund to Big Brothers Big Sisters to create a fitness center, Chalmers said the May 29 arthroscopic procedure to repair an inflamed Plica in his right knee was something he decided to put off during a season.
…"It was giving me a little issues throughout the whole year," he said. "It's been something that's going on for a while, but I was able to play through it.
"I feel like right now is the perfect time for me to go in and get and get it cleaned out especially going into a contract year, and a big year for us as the Heat."
Chalmers has been doing some light shooting, but said he is expecting to be cleared for more extensive court work the first week of July.
Sun Sentinel
The event begins with an autograph session at 2 p.m. followed by the basketball game. Tickets are $3.
Star-Telegram
Miami Heat guard Mario Chalmers revealed Tuesday that the recent procedure on his right knee actually was to address a season-long issue.
On hand Tuesday at AmericanAirlines Arena as the team announced a $350,000 donation from the team's charitable fund to Big Brothers Big Sisters to create a fitness center, Chalmers said the May 29 arthroscopic procedure to repair an inflamed Plica in his right knee was something he decided to put off during a season.
…"It was giving me a little issues throughout the whole year," he said. "It's been something that's going on for a while, but I was able to play through it.
"I feel like right now is the perfect time for me to go in and get and get it cleaned out especially going into a contract year, and a big year for us as the Heat."
Chalmers has been doing some light shooting, but said he is expecting to be cleared for more extensive court work the first week of July.
Sun Sentinel
Congrats Quinton Hosley (@HarlemT2) and Russell Robinson (@Next718star)! The #YouFirstClient crowned #tblpl champs pic.twitter.com/k5le6HMzk5
— YouFirstBasket (@YouFirstBasket) June 10, 2015
DJ Wilt Chamberlain pic.twitter.com/h12CsqA2oQ
— History Tweets (@OnIyHistory) May 26, 2015
“Pay Heed. The game you love began here. Respect those who came before you. Make their legacy your own. Because destiny favors the dedicated. And rings don’t replace work. In this game you don’t get what you want. You get what you earn. We are Kansas. Together we rise. Rock Chalk Jayhawk!
Big 12 / College News
The University of Texas has hired an outside investigator for an independent probe into allegations of academic fraud within the men's basketball program.
School spokesman Gary Susswein said late Monday the investigation will be overseen by Gene Marsh, a former chairman of the NCAA infractions committee, who has already begun his work.
The review was ordered by new school President Greg Fenves, who assumed the post June 3. Last week, the Chronicle of Higher Education reported on three cases of alleged academic misconduct by men's basketball players.
The university scheduled a conference call with reporters Tuesday morning to discuss the investigation. The cost of the probe and how long it will take were not immediately announced.
The announcement of the investigation was first reported by the Austin American-Statesman.
Link
School spokesman Gary Susswein said late Monday the investigation will be overseen by Gene Marsh, a former chairman of the NCAA infractions committee, who has already begun his work.
The review was ordered by new school President Greg Fenves, who assumed the post June 3. Last week, the Chronicle of Higher Education reported on three cases of alleged academic misconduct by men's basketball players.
The university scheduled a conference call with reporters Tuesday morning to discuss the investigation. The cost of the probe and how long it will take were not immediately announced.
The announcement of the investigation was first reported by the Austin American-Statesman.
Link
Big 12 schools could face big penalties for court storming http://t.co/JV7JMTUcwt
— Andy Katz (@ESPNAndyKatz) May 28, 2015
Kansas State men’s basketball coach Bruce Weber expects the Wildcats to play Missouri in the semifinals of the CBE Classic this November at the Sprint Center.
Nothing will be certain until the tournament announces its matchups later this summer, but Weber can already picture the setting. He sees a well-attended game with fans on both sides of the state line converging on Kansas City. Should that vision become reality on Nov. 23, he thinks it could signal the start of a recurring game between the former conference rivals.
“We have talked about it,” Weber told The Star. “It could work as a game in Kansas City, maybe every couple of years, because if we have that game it makes sense for both of us.”
Though a potential Kansas City series between K-State and Missouri is not the border rivalry many in the region have clamored for since the Tigers left the Big 12 for the Southeastern Conference — Kansas has shown no interest in playing Missouri — it would be an intriguing arrangement.
Weber stressed K-State and Missouri have merely had informal conversations about a series, but he sees its merits. He was part of a similar series with Missouri, the Braggin’ Rights game in St. Louis, when he coached Illinois.
“It is not a definite by any means, but we have talked about it,” Weber said. “We will see what happens this year with the CBE. If it looks like it was a good thing and a success and we have officially broken the barrier of them leaving, that kind of stigma, then maybe we can move forward with it.”
KC Star
Former Missouri basketball player Kim English has followed his former coach and joined the staff at Tulsa, where he'll work under Frank Haith, his head coach at Mizzou during the 2011-12 season, English's senior year at Mizzou. Haith left Mizzou for the head-coaching job at Tulsa in 2014.
Haith announced Monday that English will take over as Tulsa's director of player development. English, No. 13 on Mizzou's career scoring list with 1,570 points from 2008-2012, spent the last three years playing professionally.
St Louis PD
CBSSports.com: The OVC was a great mid-major conference, but sixty percent of the coaches in the Big 12 have already taken a program to the Final Four. How big is the jump going to be for you personally from a coaching perspective?
Prohm: I'm going against a lot of terrific coaches. Like you said --- six out of the 10 coaches in the league have led a team to a Final Four --- that's an amazing stat. The thing that I have to do being the newest coach in the league is just to prepare each and every day and be very detail oriented so that our kids have the best chance of being successful night in and night out. I'm going to go about that the same way I went about it at Murray State. We're going looking forward to the opportunity and it's going to be a great challenge.
Link
Nothing will be certain until the tournament announces its matchups later this summer, but Weber can already picture the setting. He sees a well-attended game with fans on both sides of the state line converging on Kansas City. Should that vision become reality on Nov. 23, he thinks it could signal the start of a recurring game between the former conference rivals.
“We have talked about it,” Weber told The Star. “It could work as a game in Kansas City, maybe every couple of years, because if we have that game it makes sense for both of us.”
Though a potential Kansas City series between K-State and Missouri is not the border rivalry many in the region have clamored for since the Tigers left the Big 12 for the Southeastern Conference — Kansas has shown no interest in playing Missouri — it would be an intriguing arrangement.
Weber stressed K-State and Missouri have merely had informal conversations about a series, but he sees its merits. He was part of a similar series with Missouri, the Braggin’ Rights game in St. Louis, when he coached Illinois.
“It is not a definite by any means, but we have talked about it,” Weber said. “We will see what happens this year with the CBE. If it looks like it was a good thing and a success and we have officially broken the barrier of them leaving, that kind of stigma, then maybe we can move forward with it.”
KC Star
Former Missouri basketball player Kim English has followed his former coach and joined the staff at Tulsa, where he'll work under Frank Haith, his head coach at Mizzou during the 2011-12 season, English's senior year at Mizzou. Haith left Mizzou for the head-coaching job at Tulsa in 2014.
Haith announced Monday that English will take over as Tulsa's director of player development. English, No. 13 on Mizzou's career scoring list with 1,570 points from 2008-2012, spent the last three years playing professionally.
St Louis PD
CBSSports.com: The OVC was a great mid-major conference, but sixty percent of the coaches in the Big 12 have already taken a program to the Final Four. How big is the jump going to be for you personally from a coaching perspective?
Prohm: I'm going against a lot of terrific coaches. Like you said --- six out of the 10 coaches in the league have led a team to a Final Four --- that's an amazing stat. The thing that I have to do being the newest coach in the league is just to prepare each and every day and be very detail oriented so that our kids have the best chance of being successful night in and night out. I'm going to go about that the same way I went about it at Murray State. We're going looking forward to the opportunity and it's going to be a great challenge.
Link
Recruiting
I want to thank the schools who've been involved in my recruitment, these are the 17 I'm going to move forward with! pic.twitter.com/hWFKeSb1ud
— Michael Porter Jr. (@m1chael_porter) June 15, 2015
We'll tipoff this loaded edition with an update on Providence transfer Paschal Chukwu (see video above). The 7-2 center has recently visited both Kansas and Nebraska, and according to CBS' Jon Rothstein, Chukwu will check out the Cavaliers next. Chukwu will reportedly visit UVa on Friday, and then Michigan State next Monday. Rothstein also reports that the big man is interested in both Syracuse and UConn, but no visits are set in stone.
Chukwu will sit out this coming season, and will have three years of eligibility left. Between Anthony Gill and Darius Thompson, it appears that Bennett has grown fond of these kinds of transfers.
Link
Recruiting Calendar
My Videos:
Late Night in the Phog
Bill Self Camp KU Alumni games
60 Years of AFH Celebration
Legends of the Phog game
2011-12 Final Border War
KC Prep Invitational
Jayhawk Invitational
and more, now on YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/user/kcjcjhawk
Chukwu will sit out this coming season, and will have three years of eligibility left. Between Anthony Gill and Darius Thompson, it appears that Bennett has grown fond of these kinds of transfers.
Link
Recruiting Calendar
My Videos:
Late Night in the Phog
Bill Self Camp KU Alumni games
60 Years of AFH Celebration
Legends of the Phog game
2011-12 Final Border War
KC Prep Invitational
Jayhawk Invitational
and more, now on YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/user/kcjcjhawk
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