Kansas Jayhawks Basketball

Kansas is reportedly set to acknowledge an Adidas consultant paid Silvio​ De Sousa's guardian $2,500 and ask the NCAA for his immediate reinstatement.

Seth Davis of The Athletic reported Kansas came to the conclusion following a three-month investigation into the matter. The school plans to acknowledge De Sousa's compromised amateurism, declare him ineligible and appeal to the NCAA’s Academic and Membership Affairs Group to have him reinstated.

Kansas coach Bill Self announced in October that De Sousa would not play for the Jayhawks until the school completed an investigation into his eligibility. T.J. Gassnola testified he gave De Sousa's guardian $2,500 in order for him to commit to Kansas during a federal fraud trial on college basketball corruption.

"Information was presented during the current trial in New York—some of which we knew, some which we didn't," Self said in a statement at the time. "We have decided to withhold Silvio from competition until we can evaluate and understand the new information."

Gassnola and Adidas executive James Gatto were also involved in a $90,000 payment to former Kansas player Billy Preston.

The $2,500 payment to De Sousa was allegedly made to get him out of a similar pay-to-play agreement with Maryland.

De Sousa was the nation's No. 32 prospect in the 2017 class, per 247Sports. He did not sign his letter of intent with the university until November 2017 and did not enroll at Kansas until January 2018—well into the 2017-18 campaign.

De Sousa appeared in 20 games for the Jayhawks, averaging 4.0 points and 3.7 rebounds in a minor role off the bench. The Jayhawks expected him to help lead their frontcourt this season.

Davis noted De Sousa has already been suspended for more than 30 percent of the Jayhawks' season, which is the typical punishment for a player who receives an improper benefit similar to De Sousa's. The 6'9" forward has remained enrolled with the university and has practiced with the team despite the suspension. 

It's possible Kansas could wind up having to forfeit any games De Sousa previously played in, which would include the team's 2018 Final Four run. 

Kansas Jayhawks junior center Udoka Azubuike will miss the remainder of the 2018-19 season in order to undergo surgery on his right hand, Kansas head coach Bill Self announced Sunday.

"Udoka had an MRI done this morning and the MRI revealed he tore the same ligament in his right hand that he tore in his left hand his freshman season (Dec. 2016)," Self said in the Jayhawks' official press release. "This occurred in practice on Friday and although the initial X-rays did not reveal the extent of the injury, the MRI did and it will require season-ending surgery."

Azubuike appeared in nine games, averaging 13.4 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.6 blocks. The Athletic's Seth Davis wondered whether his absence will exacerbate Kansas' struggles from the perimeter:

The Jayhawks are tied for 271st in made three-pointers (89) and 176th in three-point percentage (34.4). Having the 7'0" Azubuike inside allowed them to survive without consistent long-range shooting.

Now, the 6'9" Dedric Lawson is the tallest among Kansas' regular rotation players. Self may have to rely more on David McCormack, a 6'10" true freshman who's averaging 7.2 minutes per game. McCormack was the No. 5 center in the 2018 recruiting class, per 247Sports.

Either way, losing Azubuike further depletes a frontcourt that was also counting on the services of Silvio De Sousa. Self has held De Sousa out since the sophomore forward was connected to the FBI's trial into corruption in the NCAA.

This week was already bad enough for Kansas after it lost 77-60 to Iowa State on Saturday, bringing the team's record 12-2. Now, the Jayhawks' streak of 14 straight regular-season Big 12 titles could be in serious jeopardy.

Kansas junior center Udoka Azubuike will not play against Iowa State on Saturday, per head coach Bill Self:

Azubuike suffered torn wrist ligaments during a practice in December 2016 and missed the rest of the season. He also suffered a sprained ankle in December of this season and missed four games.

The 7'0", 270-pound center is averaging 13.4 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game. He's an invaluable starter on a 12-1 team that is ranked fifth in the country.

Azubuike also came up big at various times during KU's Final Four run last season. Of note, he had 10 points, six rebounds and a block in the first half of Kansas' 80-76 win over Clemson in the Sweet Sixteen. Azubuike also stuffed the stat sheet with 10 points, seven rebounds, two blocks and two steals off the bench in a second-round win over Seton Hall.

As for the ISU game, KU may do well without Azubuike. CJ Moore of The Athletic provided reasons why:

On the flip side, the 11-2 Cyclones are at home and rank 16th in Ken Pomeroy's most recent men's college basketball ratings. The Jayhawks are also a two-point underdog, per OddsShark.

KU is making the right move by taking precautions with Azubuike's wrist given the injury he suffered two seasons ago. March Madness is two-and-a-half months away, and the key is for him to be 100 percent for a championship run.

If Azubuike is good to go after a one-game absence, his next matchup will be at 9 p.m. ET Wednesday against visiting TCU.