Conner Teahan, a 6-foot-5, 180-pound senior guard from Kansas City (Mo.) Rockhurst High, has decided to accept a preferred walk-on spot on Kansas University’s men’s basketball team.

For Teahan, who has spent all of his 18 years in Kansas City, it classifies as a “dream come true.”

“When I was growing up, it seems like every year there was a new guy for me to follow on the team. I always liked Kirk Hinrich, Raef LaFrentz, Paul Pierce. I’m like those guys now. I get to wear the uniform,” Teahan said enthusiastically Sunday night.

Teahan, who said he received the preferred walk-on offer about two months ago, informed KU coach Bill Self of his decision after meeting in Self’s office with his parents after Saturday’s KU victory over Iowa State.

“I just had some questions how I’d be treated. Coach told me, ‘I wouldn’t tell you if I didn’t think you could help the team down the line,'” said Teahan, who averages 25 points, eight rebounds and three assists at Rockhurst and is known as a deadly three-point shooter.

“I’ll be treated the same as all the other players.”

He showed off his long-range bombing for Kansas City Pump-N-Run at last spring’s Jayhawk Invitational in Lawrence.

“I would say because of my size and shooting I’ll be on the perimeter at KU,” said Teahan, who received recruiting interest in basketball from Wichita State, Illinois State, Missouri State as well as Tennessee, Mississippi, Washington State, Kansas State and Pepperdine.

An accomplished football quarterback, he was recruited by Kansas State, Missouri, Wisconsin, Washington and Stanford, among others.

“I decided a month ago to play basketball in college. I was hearing from schools, but it was nothing like basketball where I heard from a lot more,” Teahan said.

Connor Teahan, center, brings the ball upcourt for Kansas City Pump-N-Run at last May's Jayhawk Invitational AAU tournament in Allen Fieldhouse. Teahen accepted a preferred walk-on spot on next season's Kansas University basketball team.

“It’s just that I always loved KU and always wanted to play at KU. It doesn’t matter if I’m a walk-on or have a scholarship as long as I get to wear the jersey.”

Walk-ons do not receive athletic scholarships.

Teahan was an AAU teammate of Tyrel Reed, a KU signee from Burlington. The two are close friends.

“He’s a really good pickup for KU,” Stacy Reed, Burlington basketball coach and Tyrel’s father, said Sunday. “A great shooter, a hard-nosed kid, a very nice and polite young man. I think he works his tail off, and he’s a really good catch-and-shoot kid.”

Teahan recently scored 27 points to lead Rockhurst past Creighton Prep 65-46, in a tournament in Omaha. He was Missouri’s Gatorade Player of the Year a year ago.

“He has gotten better at putting the ball on the floor,” Rockhurst coach Mark Nusbaum said. “He’s not just a shooter anymore. He’s a scorer.”

KU coach Self cannot comment on the Teahan commitment until he enrolls in classes this summer.