Taylor time

The loss of Mario Chalmers to the NBA likely means a gain in playing time for incoming Kansas University freshman guard Tyshawn Taylor.

“It’s our time now, especially me,” Taylor, a 6-foot-3 guard from St. Anthony High in Jersey City, N.J., said of KU’s seven newcomers, who will try to make up for the departure of five seniors as well as underclassmen Brandon Rush, Darrell Arthur and Chalmers who are off to the NBA Draft.

Chalmers was the last to decide to stick in the draft for good, making his announcement last Sunday.

“I play the same position as him, and I’ll be wearing the same number. It’s his time to go on and my time to step up and be the next No. 15 at KU,” Taylor said.

Taylor impressed 1,000 Bill Self campers and 200 or so fans on Wednesday, scoring 19 points in Self’s annual camp game. He hit eight of 11 shots and had four assists.

Of Taylor, ex-Jayhawk Julian Wright said: “His game is pretty solid in terms of he doesn’t force much. He sees the court well. He knows when to get in the paint and make things happen.”

Appleton debuts

Tyrone Appleton, a 6-3 guard from Midland (Texas) College, who did not play in last week’s game because of a camp commitment in Kansas City, impressed on Wednesday.

He had 12 points off 5-of-10 shooting with four assists.

“It was exciting to play with and against my new teammates,” Appleton said. “It was pretty intense. I think we have a lot of freshmen who are hungry and want to play well. I like that.

“I love my teammates. I’ve been here a couple weeks, and it feels like family already, like I’ve known them a few years. I feel good about it. It’s all I imagined and more,” Appleton said.

A juco rival of Mario Little, the two were teammates in Wednesday’s scrimmage won by the duo’s Blue team.

“It’s nice. We talked about it a few minutes before the game. We should be pretty good together this year,” Appleton said. “Mario is a great player. I like to play with good people.”

One-on-one

Chicago Public League high school rivals Wright and Little guarded each other Wednesday.

“You could see the tension out on the court a little bit. It was fun watching it,” Taylor said.

Wright finished with 16 points; Little 13.

This, that

Cole Aldrich, who had 16 rebounds, connected with Quintrell Thomas, who finished a dunk off the high/low. … Later Aldrich was recipient of an easy bucket off a perfect feed from Appleton. … Little not only cashed a deep three, but hit a nice 12-foot fadeaway shot. … Taylor, Conner Teahan, Jeremy Case and Brennan Bechard each connected for three threes. … Brady Morningstar was aggressive offensively and had 12 points off 6-of-14 shooting.