It’s been a whirlwind couple of days for Florida Gulf Coast senior guard Julian DeBose, who received, and accepted, an unexpected offer to join Kansas University’s World University Games basketball team.

“Well I received the call about 12 a.m., on Friday morning from my coach (Joe Dooley) saying, ‘Do you still want to go down to Kansas and compete with them in the University World Games for sure?’ I said, ‘Of course I want to.’ That’s how the conversation ended,” DeBose said Sunday at Allen Fieldhouse where he starts preparations for Tuesday’s exhibition game against Canada (7 p.m., KC’s Sprint Center).

KU had a need for a player following Thursday night’s news that Devonté Graham would be out several weeks with a quad injury.

“The next day he (Dooley on Friday during day) texted me and said, ‘Looks like it’s a go.’ From that point on he said, ‘Pack your bags.’ From that point on coach Q (Fred Quartlebaum, KU director of student/athlete development) called me, set up a few things, set up a flight. I was out the next day (Saturday) at 10 a.m,” DeBose said.

DeBose has been quite impressed with what he’s seen here so far.

“It’s an amazing experience of course. I’ve never been to Kansas. I’ve never seen a locker room like this or seen any facilities like this,” DeBose said. “I’m just glad and blessed and completely thankful from coach Dooley and coach (Bill) Self to allow me to be on the team.”

What did former KU assistant Dooley tell him about Self?

“He said, ‘You think I’m a problem, wait ’til you meet Bill Self,”’ DeBose said with a laugh. “He basically said, ‘Same rules here as there. Play hard and there’s not too much else he can ask for from me. As long as you play hard, you’re fine.”’

DeBose averaged 11.6 points and 3.9 rebounds a game last season for 22-11 Florida Gulf Coast.

“I’m a versatile player. I can do pretty much anything on the court. I’m a pretty good leader,” combo guard DeBose said. “(I’m a) very positive person, always in my teammates’ ears, let ’em know you can do it no matter what. I also like to lead by example.”

His expectations are, “to come in, work hard and win a medal. That’s my expectations, win a gold medal,” DeBose said.