Kansas basketball coach Bill Self released from hospital, ready to rejoin team for NCAA Tournament

Kansas head coach Bill Self flashes a smile toward the fans as the Jayhawks leave the court following their 90-78 win over Kansas State on Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023, at Allen Fieldhouse. Photo by Nick Krug

Kansas basketball coach Bill Self has been released from the University of Kansas Health System and returned to his home in Lawrence, KU announced Sunday afternoon about an hour before the NCAA Tournament Selection Show on CBS.

The news release noted that Self was in “good condition.”

In a statement, Self said he was “so thankful for the amazing staff at the University of Kansas Health System for the excellent care” he received.

He also added that he was proud of how the Jayhawks and KU’s coaching staff handled his absence during the Big 12 tournament and that he was “excited to be back with the them as the best time of the season gets underway.”

KU is expected to land a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament — the 10th in 19 tournaments under Self — and likely will head to Des Moines, Iowa, next week for the first and second rounds on Thursday and Saturday.

The statement of Self’s release from the hospital also included the following details about exactly what put him there in the first place late Wednesday night on the eve of his team opening play in the Big 12 tournament.

“He arrived at the emergency department Wednesday evening March 8, complaining of chest tightness and balance concerns. Clinical Service Chief for Cardiovascular Medicine and Interventional cardiologist Dr. Mark Wiley said Coach Self underwent a standard heart catheterization and had two stents placed for the treatment of blocked arteries. Coach Self responded well to the procedure and is expected to make a full recovery.”

Assistant coach Norm Roberts filled in for Self during the Big 12 tournament — as he did for the first four games of the regular season when Self served a university-imposed suspension — and led the Jayhawks to a runner-up finish, with wins over West Virginia and Iowa State and a loss to Texas on Saturday night in the Big 12 title game.

Roberts said after Saturday’s loss that the Jayhawks were planning on Self coaching next week.

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