Stewart’s KU debut contingent on grades

It doesn’t figure to drag on as long as, say, Brandon Rush’s multi-week waiting game with the NCAA Clearinghouse.

Yet a stay of even a handful of days could put Rodrick Stewart’s long-awaited Kansas University men’s basketball debut in jeopardy.

“The grades have to be submitted before he can be declared eligible. He has to be approved before he can play. We’re hopeful that will take place before the game Monday,” KU coach Bill Self explained Thursday.

He was referring to Southern California transfer Stewart receiving all his grades from first-semester courses and getting them processed by 6 p.m. Monday, the time of KU’s nonconference clash against Pepperdine and technically the first game of second semester.

The 6-foot-4 guard had to sit out two semesters after transferring in accordance with NCAA rules.

“If they get all the stuff in, it probably won’t happen until Monday,” Self said of KU “powers that be” deeming him fit to play.

“We are hopeful that can occur. Certainly some professors have had to be very cooperative to make sure that will happen. We believe it’ll happen, but it’s not a lock.

“The concern is not the grades. The concern is getting ’em all turned in,” Self added. “You take a final Friday and have grades Monday. It’s not always easy to do.”

As far as how much Stewart will play against Pepperdine if he’s eligible, Self reiterated his stance earlier this week that it’ll be difficult for the guard to crack the rotation.

“I have in my mind right now he could be a depth guy that can provide energy to everything,” Self said. “I am still of the belief Micah (Downs) and Brandon (Rush) need to get as many minutes as possible. He kind of plays a similar type spot.

“He’ll play some, but I don’t know how much. He will have to beat out one of those other five guys out to warrant significant minutes,” Self added of perimeter players Downs, Rush, Jeff Hawkins, Russell Robinson and Mario Chalmers.

“Right now he’ll be on the outside looking in in that regard, but he will play.”

Self said Stewart, who “is a better shooter than when he arrived,” and “tries real hard defensively which is a great start in that area,” is an unknown because of the fact he hasn’t played a game in over 600 days.

“I’m anxious to see him play to be real honest with you, in a game-type situation, how he reacts to it,” Self said.

Stewart says he’ll be happy with any minutes.

“I don’t know how far it put me behind in the rotation,” Stewart said of missing the first-semester games. “When I do get in there, I’ll play my hardest. I’ve been going all out in every little drill, making the most out of practice so I can be ready.”

¢ Kaun recovering: Self said sophomore pivot Sasha Kaun continues to recover from a virus that limited his play in Saturday’s win over Cal and a loss to St. Joe’s on Dec. 6.

“He’s doing better. He practiced the day before yesterday 50 percent of the time and full time yesterday,” Self said. “He doesn’t have total strength back, but he’s fine. He had the bug that’s going around.”

Downs was the only other player to miss one of KU’s 90-minute practices during finals week, the frosh having a final of his own during one workout.

¢ Chalmers’ confidence up: Self said Mario Chalmers has had “some of his best practices of the season” since Saturday’s game against California, one in which Chalmers suffered six turnovers in 11 minutes.

“I didn’t. I think some other people did,” Self said, asked if he gave the Alaska freshman a pep talk after the game. “I went recruiting right after the game. The next day in practice he was great. I think some guys obviously did a good job picking him up, getting his head where it needed to be.

“He’s been aggressive. His mindset seems right. He is a very talented young man. He will be a very good player. He has to keep plugging and not let one performance be a big deal.”