The Yakima Sun Kings of the Continental Basketball Association expect former Kansas University forward C.J. Giles to join the pro team this week, according to the Yakima (Wash.) Herald-Republic.

The Sun Kings’ coach said Giles was back in his hometown of Seattle preparing to join the Kings’ preseason camp.

KU assistant Kurtis Townsend, who was instrumental in Giles’ recruitment, said he talked to Giles on Friday. Giles indicated he had not yet decided whether to report to the CBA team or an NBA Developmental League team, perhaps one in Oklahoma.

“You do what you feel is best, and he feels this is his best chance (to get to the NBA),” Townsend said.

Giles has moved out of Lawrence, Townsend indicated. He was kicked off the team earlier this month after he was cited by police for battering a female KU student. He was given a notice to appear in court Dec. 6 for the battery charge and has a Jan. 8 court date for failure to pay child support to the mother of his son.

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Only in Vegas: It was legal for gamblers to bet on Friday’s game, in which the Jayhawks were 20-point favorites over Ball State.

KU’s Sherron Collins dribbled out the clock on the final possession, prompting several fans to wave their hands wildly, wanting a final bucket, apparently to break even on their bets.

KU won the game by 18, thus bettors who took the Jayhawks lost.

“Score,” one fan screamed behind the press table. “I bet $20 on KU to win!”

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Lots of KU fans in house: KU had at least 5,000 of the fans out of the announced crowd of 8,400. The arena holds 8,500.

“There are a lot of KU people here,” KU coach Bill Self said, admitting, “If we play like we are capable of, the crowd could become a factor (in tonight’s 10 p.m. game against Florida). I don’t think Florida will be rattled by 5,000 Jayhawk fans, not what they accomplished last year.”

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Energy: KU figures to play more inspired basketball tonight than it did against Ball State. “The whole team will come out sky-high, with a lot of energy and all ¢

Good D: One strong point in Friday’s win was defense. Ball State hit 34 percent of its shots and two of 15 threes.

“Nah, it wasn’t great defense. It was probably average defense,” Self said.

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Fun in Vegas: “We were able to see that magic show (Penn and Teller),” KU freshman Sherron Collins said. “Other than that, we’ve been spending time in guys’ rooms focusing on the tournament.”

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Milt on hand: Ex-Jayhawk Milt Newton, player personnel director of the Washington Wizards, attended. He was besieged for autograph requests by KU fans at halftime of Friday’s game.

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Kaun scores two: Sasha Kaun had just two points on 1-of-6 shooting with three rebounds. He played nine minutes for the second straight game since returning from a knee injury.

“I think we have a better chance against Florida with Sasha in there than if he wasn’t. He’s practiced just three times (since returning from injury). It’s new and he’s not yet in shape,” Self said. KU’s bench had just 12 points against Ball State.

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Rough play: Tempers flared a bit Friday. KU’s Mario Chalmers and Ball State’s Jalon Perryman barked at each other. Darnell Jackson and Micha Rollin also had words.