Notebook

¢ Russell Robinson said Micah Downs’ decision to leave Kansas University was one that would “stick with him the rest of his life.”

He was asked if his former roommate would regret it the rest of his life.

“I don’t know. I’m not psychic,” Robinson said, noting he didn’t even know Downs had fled from KU on Monday night, indicating he thought his always-quiet roommate was in his room.

“I hope for the best for him. He’s good.”

Darnell Jackson said of Downs: “I was pretty shocked he left. We can’t do anything about it except wish him well wherever he goes.”

Brandon Rush added: “I was surprised. I didn’t know the day he left. I found out later. I wish him well.”

¢ New recruiting needs: In the wake of Downs’ decision to transfer, Kansas now has a need for a perimeter player who can score, especially if, as expected, Rush turns pro after this year.

“Timing now is difficult. We’ll have to find somebody based on needs this year or the following year,” KU coach Bill Self said of recruiting. “We didn’t recruit him (Downs) to be a one-year guy. We recruited him to in time develop.”

Still, there is always hope to sign an impact player or two.

“If anything the pool of players may be larger now than finding out later,” Self said, referring to the fact no top recruits would be available had Downs decided to transfer after the season.

KU, which has two scholarships available in recruiting, remains in the hunt for Darrell Arthur, a 6-foot-9, 220-pound senior from South Oak Cliff High in Dallas. Arthur is considering KU, Indiana and Baylor.

Also, KU is in the hunt for Davon Jefferson, a 6-7, 190-pound forward from Lynwood, Calif., currently attending Patterson School in North Carolina. Jefferson, who played in the Jayhawk Invitational last spring, is considering KU, Georgetown and Oklahoma State and still reportedly has some interest in Louisville, USC and UNLV.

¢ Loose ends must be tied: Downs, who has been rumored to have a strong interest in Gonzaga, won’t receive a release from KU until, as Self said, he “fulfills some responsibilities he’s aware of.”

He must drop his classes, or he’ll receive all F’s in those classes. He also must check out of the dorm and pick up a few belongings.

Athletic director Lew Perkins said he “will always follow the lead of our head coaches” in granting releases to players who wish to transfer.

Self said he wouldn’t stand in Downs’ way as long as he wraps up those loose ends at KU.

¢ More Downs: Downs’ brother, Steve, Jr., by the way, is a 6-foot-5 freshman at Rainier Beach High in Seattle, alma mater of KU’s C.J. Giles and Rodrick Stewart. The Seattle Post Intelligencer quoted Micah Downs’ high school coach as saying the player was upset with limited playing time at KU.