Graham could’ve played against Rider

Kansas guard Devonte Graham (4) heads to the bucket between Kentucky guard Aaron Harrison (2) and forward Karl-Anthony Towns (12) during the second half of the Champions Classic on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2014 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

• Box score

Kansas University freshman guard Devonté Graham could have played if necessary on Monday night against Rider.

But coach Bill Self chose to be a bit cautious, not wanting to rush back the 6-2 point guard from Raleigh, North Carolina, who suffered a shoulder sprain in last Tuesday’s 32-point loss to Kentucky.

“We practiced him yesterday and today,” Self said after the Jayhawks’ 87-60 victory. “But I made the decision, with the doctors, that we weren’t going to play him unless we needed him.

“He’ll shoot full speed (Tuesday) and practice Wednesday (in Orlando, Florida, site of Thursday’s Orlando Classic game against Rhode Island) and then I don’t see a reason why he won’t be available. I don’t know if he’ll play 20 minutes, but I can’t believe he won’t be available on Thursday.”

Graham was hurt early in the Kentucky game. He finished with no points, no assists, one a turnover, two rebounds and a steal in 14 minutes against the Wildcats.

“It happened the first play when he checked in (vs. UK), diving for the ball,” Self said. “Two guys collided and dove for the ball. He was hurt and kept playing with it. They went back and checked it out and said he could play. So he showed some toughness being out there, but the longer it went on the stiffer it became. He’s close to being OK.”