Kansas Jayhawks Basketball

Kansas sophomore Jalen Wilson was arrested in Lawrence, Kansas, on suspicion of driving under the influence Sunday morning, according to Glenn Kinley and Tiffany Littler of KSNT.com.

The Kansas City Star's Jesse Newell shared a statement from Jayhawks men's basketball coach Bill Self: "We are aware of the incident involving Jalen Wilson last night, and are disappointed in his decisions. We are looking into the situation as we speak and will determine potential consequences with him once we have the rest of the details."

Per Newell, a deputy from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office observed a driver "not maintaining a proper lane" at 1:48 a.m. CT. Officers pulled Wilson over and asked him to perform field sobriety tests, and he was subsequently taken into custody.

The Denton, Texas, native was released after posting a $250 bond.

As a redshirt freshman in 2020-21, Wilson averaged 11.8 points, 7.9 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 29 appearances. He shot 41.4 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from beyond the arc.

The 6'8" forward explored his NBA draft prospects over the summer and opted to return to Kansas for the 2021-22 season. Heading into the year, he was one of 20 players placed on the preseason watch list for the Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year Award.

The Jayhawks host Emporia State on Wednesday in an exhibition before tipping off the regular season Nov. 9 against Michigan State.

Kansas will add a top prospect to its 2022 recruiting class after MJ Rice committed to the school Tuesday.

Rice announced his decision via Joe Tipton of On3.

"I feel like Kansas is the place for me to be," Rice said. "I feel like Kansas is somewhere I can grow and mature. They have all resources I need to develop my game and develop my mental. I really enjoyed my visit there. Great coaches, staff, players and environment."

The small forward is a 5-star recruit and considered the No. 20 overall player in the class and fifth-best player at his position by 247Sports' composite rankings.

At 6'5", Rice is a bit undersized for a wing, but he makes up for it with impressive athleticism that allows him to finish at the rim with consistency. He also has enough strength to handle the bigger players he might match up against at forward.

He remains a mismatch with his shooting ability from deep, giving him the opportunity to score a lot of points even without a lot of touches on the offensive end.

The biggest concern during his high school career was a torn ACL that sidelined him in December 2019.

Rice returned to the court the next season and said he simply needed to get over the mental aspect.

"With me, it's more about making the jump mentally; I'm already a dog on the court, now it's about being a killer!" he said in a November blog entry for SI All-American.

Having two seasons back before playing at the next level should provide plenty of time to get over his injury.

If he can add some additional handle and playmaking ability to his skill set, Rice could be an elite player going forward.

He represents a big addition for the Jayhawks, providing the team with someone who can help on both ends immediately in his college career.

Rice has the talent to be a go-to option as a freshman and could consider making the leap to the NBA before too long. 

Elite 2022 men's basketball prospect Shaedon Sharpe has narrowed his options to Arizona, Kansas, Kentucky, Oklahoma State and the G League Ignite, according to Jonathan Givony of ESPN.

The 5-star prospect is rated the No. 6 overall player in the class, per 247Sports.

Sharpe has official visits planned for Kansas, Arizona and Oklahoma State and could decide shortly after his final visit in September.

"I'm 100 percent open to all options right now," the guard said. "I want to see what all of them have to offer. I need to learn more about the G League in terms of what their offer is and which other players will be on the team to decide whether that's something I want to do."

Sharpe has already taken a visit to Kentucky, which is his predicted choice by 100 percent of 247Sports' crystal ball contributors, but he clarified the Wildcats aren't currently the leader.

"People have been penciling me in with Kentucky, and I'm honestly not sure where that's coming from," he said, per Givony. "Maybe it's because Shai Gilgeous-Alexander went there from Uplay and was one and done. ... No one really knows anything about my situation besides my family and [director of Uplay Canada, Dwayne Washington]."

Kentucky has produced its fair share of one-and-done talent under head coach John Calipari, although Oklahoma State has some impressive recent pedigree after Cade Cunningham was selected first overall in the 2021 NBA draft as a one-and-done.

The G League Ignite also developed top talent in its first year, including Jalen Green (No. 2 overall pick), Jonathan Kuminga (No. 7) and Isaiah Todd (No. 31).

The 6'4" Sharpe will likely make a move to the NBA before too long regardless of where he goes after high school. The guard has rocketed up rankings after an impressive performance at the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League, averaging 22.6 points across 12 games.

Kansas men's basketball coach Bill Self has tested positive for COVID-19. 

In a statement released on Twitter, Self said he got tested on Thursday after experiencing "some minor symptoms," and a final test taken Friday confirmed the positive. 

Self also said that he has been fully vaccinated. 

The Jayhawks head coach was scheduled to take recruiting trips this weekend but is currently in isolation. 

Self also delivered a message for everyone to get vaccinated so “we don’t have to worry about this virus continuing to affect our communities and loved ones.”

The 58-year-old is entering his 19th season at Kansas. He was hired in 2003 to replace Roy Williams, who left for North Carolina. 

KU has made the NCAA tournament every year it has been held since Self became head coach. He led the program to the national title during the 2007-08 season, 15 Big 12 regular-season titles and eight conference tournament titles. 

The Oklahoma State graduate previously worked as the head basketball coach at Oral Roberts, Tulsa and Illinois.    

Kansas guard Ochai Agbaji has reportedly withdrawn his name from the 2021 NBA draft class and will return to the Jayhawks for his senior season.

ESPN's Jonathan Givony reported the news Tuesday and noted Agbaji was projected as a potential second-round pick before opting to return for another year of college basketball.

The 21-year-old Wisconsin native has made steady progress across three years at KU. He averaged 14.1 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.1 steals across 30 appearances during the 2020-21 season while also typically garnering the assignment of defending the opponent's top wing scorer.

Agbaji (6'6'', 214 lbs) made significant strides as an outside shooter. He shot just 30.7 percent from three-point range as a freshman in 2018-19, but he knocked down 37.7 percent of his outside shots last season while pouring in 2.6 threes per contest. His overall shooting percentage (42.0 last season) still needs work, though.

"I will be keeping my NCAA eligibility throughout this process and look forward to hearing from NBA professionals on ways I can improve my game. This is a great opportunity as I work towards my goal of being a professional basketball player," Agbaji said in a statement after initially declaring for the draft.

Givony noted Agbaji could establish himself as a first-round pick next year if he continues his upward trend in his final season with the Jayhawks.

Meanwhile, his return further bolsters an already promising outlook for Kansas next season.

The Jayhawks return their top three scorers (Agbaji, David McCormack and Jalen Wilson) from a team that went 21-9 and reached the second round of the NCAA tournament, and they added one of the top transfers in the country, Remy Martin, who averaged 19.1 points each of the last two years at Arizona State.

Andy Katz of NCAA.com ranked KU at No. 5 in his early power rankings for the 2021-22 campaign in April.

Agbaji and the Jayhawks are scheduled to open the season Nov. 9 with a high-profile clash against Michigan State in the State Farm Champions Classic.

Former Kansas big Silvio De Sousa has entered the transfer portal, according to Scott Chasen of 247Sports. 

De Sousa opted out of the 2020-21 season amid "personal issues," Chasen reported in October. But weeks after his decision was made public, he was charged with aggravated battery stemming from an incident that occurred on New Year's Day in 2020. 

Per an affidavit, De Sousa struck a man outside of a restaurant. The victim lost vision in one eye despite having multiple surgeries to repair his injuries, reported Dylan Lysen of KUSports.com. 

"I have a lot of things weighing on my mind and need to address these by taking time for myself and stepping away from basketball," he wrote in a Twitter post last October. "I do not know what my next plan will be right now, but I will decide that when the time is right."

Lysen reported in April that De Sousa sought a diversion from the charge in order to avoid legal proceedings and instead complete rehabilitation or pay a fine, but negotiations in that process had "fallen through," his attorney said. 

Instead, De Sousa pleaded not guilty at a preliminary hearing May 4. He will stand trial Aug. 2, according to Jesse Newell of the Kansas City Star. 

The victim, Grant Davis, said at the preliminary hearing that he intervened when De Sousa, who he did not know, was arguing with his girlfriend and her softball teammate. Davis said De Sousa "charged and struck him," which "felt like my eye was getting hit with bricks." 

Witnesses said several other former and current Kansas basketball players were at the Lawrence restaurant on the night of the incident. 

De Sousa's career at Kansas was inconsistent. He was a member of the team's 2018 Final Four run but didn't play the next year. He was implicated in a scandal that season when it was discovered his guardian received payments related to his commitment to Kansas.

He was suspended 12 games during the 2019-20 season for his role in a fight between Kansas and Kansas State in January of that year. 

Former Arizona State star Remy Martin has committed to Kansas but left the door open for a possible jump to the NBA.

"I just want to be able to play for a historic program," Martin told Jon Rothstein of College Hoops Today. "I’m very excited to play for Coach Self and get my master's degree. I'm hoping to interact with the fans and play in such a historic place like Phog Allen Fieldhouse."

The 6'0" guard averaged 19.1 points, 3.7 assists and 2.0 rebounds in 23 games for the Sun Devils this past season.

Martin entered the transfer portal Tuesday. His father, Sam, told The Athletic's Doug Haller the three-time All-Pac 12 player was "just trying to hedge his bets a little bit" and is "full-bore, straight-ahead on trying to get to the league."

Martin also flirted with the NBA prior to the 2020-21 season before eventually returning to Arizona State.

With the NCAA allowing fall and winter sports athletes to gain an extra year of eligibility, suiting up for the Jayhawks will likely allow him to showcase his skills better than he could have with the Sun Devils. While it's still early, Kansas figures to be a Final Four contender in 2021-22, and the addition of Martin tips the scales even more in the program's favor.

Brian Bennett and Sam Vecenie of The Athletic ranked him as the best player in the transfer portal:

But Martin has a bulldog mentality that makes up for some of his shortcomings, and he's one of the few guys in the transfer portal who can get you 20 points a night in a power conference. He finished his Arizona State career ranked sixth all-time in scoring and second in assists. ... He's a winning player who could be one of the prizes of the portal.

Especially if Ochai Agbaji, who's also exploring his draft prospects, returns to Lawrence, the Jayhawks could have a dynamic backcourt combination. Agbaji was the team's leading scorer at 14.1 points per game.

From an NBA perspective, Martin might still have some work to do. Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman didn't list him among the top 50 players on May 4, and he was absent on ESPN's list of the top 100 available.

The downside for Martin is that he'd be 24 by the time the 2022 NBA draft rolls around if he chooses to wait. Obi Toppin was considered an older player in his draft class, and he was 22 when the New York Knicks selected him eighth overall.

Whatever he decides, Martin has until July 19 to make up his mind.

Kansas Jayhawks freshman guard Bryce Thompson will not return to the school for his sophomore season and will enter the transfer portal, he announced Tuesday.

"I just want to say thank you to the Kansas coaching staff, the team doctors, all the staff and the fans for supporting me since I got to Lawrence," he told Eric Bossi of 247Sports. "I appreciate everybody supporting me from day one, but after careful consideration with my family, I feel that it is in my best interest to enter the transfer portal."

Thompson, a 5-star recruit in the class of 2020, averaged 4.6 points, 1.5 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 20 games (four starts) for the Jayhawks. He dealt with a back injury and broken hand, limiting his production.

"After talking to his family, Bryce let us that he was going to enter the transfer portal," Kansas head coach Bill Self said in a press release. "I know Bryce had a tough freshman season with injuries, but I enjoyed coaching him this year through the ups and downs. We wish nothing but the best for the entire Thompson family moving forward."

Thompson has major talent despite a tough freshman season and will arguably be the crown jewel of this year's crop of transfers.

He joins Tristan Enaruna, Gethro Muscadin, Latrell Jossell and Tyon Grant-Foster as players who'll depart Kansas via the transfer portal this offseason, per Gary Bedore of the Wichita Eagle. Missouri Southern State's Cam Martin and Drake's Joseph Yesufu have joined the school via the portal.

The Jayhawks finished the 2020-21 season 21-9 and reached the second round of the NCAA tournament, where they lost to USC.

The University of Kansas and head men's basketball coach Bill Self agreed to a lifetime contract Friday.

According to the announcement on KUAthletics.com, the contract replaces Self's current deal, which was set to expire next year. The new contract is a five-year rolling agreement that will add one year on at the end of each season for the rest of Self's career.

With regard to the new contract, the 58-year-old said:

"I want to extend my sincere appreciation to Chancellor Girod, [interim athletic director] Kurt Watson, and the rest of the leadership at KU for their belief and faith in me to provide this lifetime contract. Every day, I am reminded just how fortunate I am to lead this storied program and there truly is no place else I would rather be.

"As we continue to work through the challenges facing our program, we look forward to moving ahead and focusing on our bright future. I would also like to express my gratitude to our alumni and donors, as well as the best fans and students in the nation, that have supported my family and me for the past 18 seasons. I'm excited to remain your basketball coach and compete for many championships in the future."

Self, who is 522-118 in 18 seasons at Kansas, led the Jayhawks to a 21-9 record this season and a spot in the second round of the NCAA tournament, where they fell to USC.

During his 18 years at Kansas, Self has led the Jayhawks to the NCAA tournament 17 times with the only exception being the 2019-20 season when there was no tourney held because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Oklahoma native has guided Kansas to 15 regular-season Big 12 titles and eight Big 12 tournament titles, netting him six Big 12 Coach of the Year awards.

He has also taken KU to the Final Four on three occasions and led it to a national championship in 2008 when it defeated Memphis.

Watson commented on the contract that will keep Self at Kansas for the rest of his coaching career:

"Bill Self has meant a tremendous amount to the University of Kansas and our entire Lawrence community throughout his 18 seasons. He has changed the lives of so many young men that have played for him throughout his nearly 30 years as a head coach.

"I have known Bill for many years, but working closely with him over the past few weeks in my current role has shown me even more so on a daily basis how deeply he cares about this program. We are certainly proud that he began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at KU in 1985 and that this new contract will ensure he finishes his coaching career here as well."

The two-time Associated Press College Coach of the Year is set to enter his 29th season as a collegiate head coach overall in 2021-22, as he previously spent time at Oral Roberts, Tulsa and Illinois.

All told, Self has taken his team to the NCAA tournament 22 times during his career, which speaks to the fact that they are always in the mix and competing for a national title.

This past season was something of a disappointment since Baylor established itself as the dominant force in the Big 12, but Kansas finished as the regular-season runner-up and was still a No. 3 seed in the NCAA tournament.

One potential area of concern, however, is that Self was charged with head coach responsibility violations and the University of Kansas was charged with lack of institutional control by the NCAA in 2019 after allegations that the coaching staff was working with Adidas to funnel recruits to Kansas.

Kansas has denied that the coaching staff had knowledge of Adidas' dealings, and it remains unclear what punishments the program may face, if any.

Kansas has withdrawn from the Big 12 men's basketball tournament after a player tested positive for COVID-19.

Matt Norlander of CBS Sports first reported the news.

The Jayhawks were scheduled to face Texas in the tournament semifinals Friday, but the game has been canceled.

Per Norlander, the player who tested positive competed in Thursday's quarterfinals win over Oklahoma.

Kansas was already without David McCormack and Tristan Enaruna for the Big 12 tournament because of COVID-19 protocols.

The team expected both players to be available to return for the NCAA tournament, per Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports. Jeff Goodman of Stadium reported Kansas still has "optimism" it can compete in March Madness.

The 20-8 Jayhawks are projected as a No. 3 seed in the NCAA tournament by Bleacher Report's Kerry Miller.

Kansas becomes the third major conference team to drop out of its tournament this week because of COVID-19 protocols after Virginia and Duke both withdrew from the ACC tournament.

Texas will advance to the finals of the Big 12 tournament to face either Baylor or Oklahoma State.