KU’s Self taking transfers in stride

Bill Self, who met with each of his Kansas University men’s basketball players in his office this week, wasn’t floored when two Jayhawks — Moulaye Niang and Omar Wilkes — asked to be released from their national letters of intent.

“I’d heard things rumor-wise over the last couple of months,” Self, KU’s first-year coach, explained. “I didn’t put any stock into anything until the completion of the season.”

It was more than a week after KU’s Elite Eight run ended that Self learned during one-on-one talks that the 6-foot-4 Wilkes wanted to play closer to his hometown of Los Angeles, and the 6-10 Niang sought to visit TCU and San Diego State to see if he could find more playing time at one of those schools.

Self, who had players transfer after coaching a year at Oral Roberts, Illinois and Tulsa, was asked if, in retrospect, he felt it was inevitable a player or two would leave one year after a coaching change.

“I think it may have something to do with the coaching change,” he said, “but what happens is you get guys — whether local or far away — that go to school, and it doesn’t go exactly as scripted. You have 13 guys on scholarship. For all 13 you always hope it’ll go exactly as scripted.”

For freshman guard Wilkes, who definitely is leaving, and sophomore pivot Niang — who leaves open the possibility of returning, but likely will leave — playing time is far from guaranteed for next season.

Self likes to use an eight- or nine-man rotation with three guards and two big men playing at all times. Guards ahead of Wilkes are Keith Langford, Aaron Miles, J.R. Giddens, Michael Lee and Jeff Hawkins. Guards tied or ahead of Wilkes on the depth chart are Russell Robinson and Jeremy Case. Another guard — Malik Hairston — still could sign with KU.

Big men ahead of Niang are starters Wayne Simien and David Padgett. Tied or ahead of Niang for possible minutes are incoming signees Sasha Kaun and Darnell Jackson, plus Christian Moody, who passed Niang this past season.

“With Omar’s situation, I do think he is a good player and believe he’ll be a good player,” Self said. “Omar came out here, gave it a shot. Things didn’t work in a way that maybe he thought it would overall. I’m sure he will get closer to home, maybe in a very comfortable setting for him, one he can focus in and lift (weights) and work hard and get a little stronger physically.

“I think substituting his second year for a fifth year will be advantageous to him from a strength standpoint.”

As for Niang …

“Moulaye really loves it here at Kansas,” Self said. “I think playing time is obviously a concern. My personal opinion is he could have some opportunities to play here. He may think he has better opportunities elsewhere.

“Both those kids are tremendous people and provide a lot of energy and enthusiasm to us whether on the court or on the bench. They both have great attitudes.”

Self, who played college basketball at Oklahoma State, realizes players want to get in games.

“This is not unusual,” Self said of players transferring. “Obviously it happens every year all over the country.”

  • Jordan Wilkes responds: Omar Wilkes’ brother Jordan is a 6-10 junior at Loyola High in Los Angeles. Jordan, who is considering attending Stanford, UCLA and Washington, could attend the same school as Omar.

“There’s a chance now,” Jordan Wilkes said. “Whatever is in the cards.”

Jordan Wilkes repeated Omar’s statement that Omar was happy at KU, but wanted to play closer to home.

“He loves Kansas. Kansas is a place that is hard not to like,” Jordan said. “It will be hard for him to leave. He’ll miss it. He told me it’s a great place, everybody is so nice, they welcome you in.

“He didn’t have a problem with anybody there, the players or coaches. I was a little surprised when he told me, but I knew there was always that possibility. You never know what’s going through that kid’s head,” Jordan added with a laugh.

Jordan Wilkes looks up to his big brother.

“I think the people there should remember him as a happy-go-lucky kid,” Jordan said. “He was never unhappy there, but I’m sure he’ll be happy wherever he goes next. There’s no hard feelings at all.”

  • Graves seeks NBA career: KU senior Jeff Graves, who hopes to play in the NBA, has not yet picked an agent, but plans on doing so and attending pre-draft workouts all over the country.

“Jeff, we all challenge you because we all want nothing but the best for you. Stay focused,” Self said during Thursday’s awards ceremony.

“If this guy can stay focused, he has a chance to make a lot of money.”

Graves indeed is counting on a career in the NBA.

“I’ll keep working out, staying in condition,” said Graves, who in upcoming months will have arthroscopic knee surgery. “I think it’s full speed ahead for me, welcome to the real world. I am nervous, yet anxious and eager to get into it. I want to have an NBA career. I’ve heard people say I could get drafted.”

  • Practical use for trophy: Simien had the best joke of this year’s awards ceremony. After receiving a cup that goes to the team MVP, he said: “This will make for a nice popcorn bowl for back at the house.”
  • Self on Giddens: “You talk about the year he had. He played the last month with a stress fracture and cartilage damage. He wants it so bad. He works so hard. The sky is the limit for J.R.”
  • Miles to hit 1,000?: KU junior point guard Aaron Miles has 738 career assists. He is on track to become the fifth college player in history to record 1,000 assists. The others are: Duke’s Bobby Hurley (1,076), Assumption’s Demetri Beekman (1,044), N.C. State’s Chris Corchiani (1,038) and North Carolina’s Ed Cota (1,030).