Downs loose, deadly from anywhere deep

If the NBA doesn’t work out, Micah Downs could consider a career with the Harlem Globetrotters.

He put on a display Thursday worthy of the clown princes of basketball, swishing three consecutive three-pointers while sitting in a chair situated just outside the bonus stripe.

It was his way of loosening up before chatting with reporters at Kansas University men’s basketball Media Day in Allen Fieldhouse.

“I don’t think I’ll bring a chair out there. I might be too easy to guard,” the 6-foot-8 freshman from Kirkland, Wash., quipped, referring to tonight’s Late Night in the Phog (6:30 Allen Fieldhouse).

Downs is going to be counted on to stretch the defense.

“I feel comfortable shooting a deep three from NBA range,” Downs said. “I think coach (Bill) Self recruited me to shoot and score. I think I’m doing a pretty good job of that.”

Downs shrugged when asked if he considered a three as easy as a layup.

“I go through little struggles when I don’t follow through all the time,” he said.

“Coach will get on me, say, ‘Follow through; follow through.”’

Of Downs’ shooting, fellow freshman Brandon Rush said: “When he gets set, he can hit nine of 10.”

Downs, by the way, is listed on the roster at 180 pounds though he says he’s closer to 190. “I’d like to get to 200, 205,” he said.