Kansas University preferred-walk ons Conner Teahan and Chase Buford have officially paid fees and enrolled at Kansas University, and on Friday they were recognized as members of the Jayhawk basketball team.

KU coach Bill Self for the first time commented on the two non-scholarship guards who will join the rest of the Jayhawk team for summer school classes in June.

“Conner had numerous opportunities to go to Div. I schools on scholarship, but he wanted to be at Kansas,” Self said of the 6-foot-4 guard from Kansas City Rockhurst High who received recruiting interest from Wichita State, Illinois State and Missouri State as well as Tennessee, Mississippi, Washington State, Kansas State and Pepperdine.

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

“I think he is a guy that will have a chance to impact our team in a comparable way that Christian Moody (walk-on forward) did. He’s not coming here to just be a part of our team. He’s coming here to impact our team from a playing-time standpoint as well,” Self said.

Teahan averaged 25 points, eight rebounds and three assists for 2007 state runner-up Rockhurst. In April, he received the Mr. Show-Me Basketball Award by the Missouri Coaches Association. He was the state’s Gatorade Player of the Year his junior and senior seasons and received the DiRenna Award as the Kansas City metro area’s top player.

“I love Conner’s attitude,” Self said. “I love his commitment to Kansas. I feel like we are very fortunate to have him. He has been well coached by Mark Nusbaum at Rockhurst and will come in here prepared to put himself in a position to make a contribution.”

Teahan committed to KU on Feb. 25.

“Coming to KU is a dream come true,” he said. “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.”

Buford, a 6-3 guard from San Antonio’s Alamo Heights High, made his commitment public Tuesday.

Buford averaged 9.2 points and 2.7 assists his junior season. Last year he was diagnosed with mononucleosis, which caused an enlarged spleen and made him miss his entire senior campaign.

Prior to his bout with mono, Buford’s senior football season as a wide receiver was cut short because of a broken ankle.

Buford is the son of R.C. Buford, a Kansas assistant coach under Larry Brown from 1984-88 and current San Antonio Spurs general manager. Self and R.C. were roommates at KU during the 1985-86 season.

Chase Buford’s mom, Beth, was a standout golfer at Kansas from 1975-78 before going on to a professional golf career.

“Chase’s family has played a huge role in my life. I care deeply for both his mother, father and grandparents,” said Self.

“Chase has had a rough go this past year from a physical standpoint. He is excited about being here. He’s excited about playing. I know he loves Kansas and I think he will be a fabulous teammate.”

Chase Buford has attended “four or five” games in Allen Fieldhouse.

“The atmosphere is second to none,” Buford said. “It’s a great opportunity. I’m excited I get to play again.”

Teahan and Buford will join fall signees Cole Aldrich and Tyrel Reed as members of the incoming 2007 recruiting class.

Aldrich is a 6-10 McDonald’s All-American from Bloomington, Minn.

He averaged 22.9 points, 17.6 rebounds and 3.8 blocks for state quarterfinalist Jefferson High School in 2006-07.

For his efforts, he was named player of the year by the St. Paul Pioneer Press and Minneapolis Star-Tribune.

Reed, a 6-3 guard from Burlington High, was named Kansas Basketball Coaches Association “Mr. Kansas” after averaging 26.4 points, 7.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 3.5 steals for the third-place team in Class 3A.