Kansas basketball roster figures to undergo some significant change prior to the start of the 2019-20 season.
Whats known at this time just hours after the Jayhawks 89-75 season-ending loss to Auburn in a second-round NCAA Tournament game in Salt Lake City is KU on paper has a full allotment of 13 scholarship players following the departure of senior Lagerald Vick and addition of freshmen guards Christian Braun and Issac Mackey McBride.
There are several non-seniors, however, who could move on and be replaced by prospects currently considering KU in recruiting.
For instance …
Junior Dedric Lawson could be NBA draft-bound after leading the Big 12 in scoring and rebounding. Junior Udoka Azubuike could leave for the pros as well despite missing all but nine games because of injury this season.
Lawsons brother, K.J. Lawson, has two years of eligibility remaining, but could conceivably follow Dedric to another locale. K.J. is getting married in July Dedric is the best man. If K.J. elects to turn pro or continue his college career elsewhere, he would be immediately eligible at the school of his choice in accordance with graduate transfer rules.
Freshman Quentin Grimes could leave as a one-and-done college player. At the time of his signing with KU, the McDonalds All-American was considered a projected lottery pick.
Sophomore Silvio De Sousa obviously would have to consider leaving Lawrence if his appeal to the NCAA for immediate restoration of eligibility is denied. Its hard to imagine the skilled 6-foot-9 sophomore electing to remain in college yet another year if not allowed to play in games.
This past season, the Angola native practiced but did not play in any games because of allegations his guardian accepted money from an Adidas rep during De Sousas recruitment. The NCAA ruled he also must miss games next season before being eligible for competition in 2020-21.
De Sousa declined comment after Saturdays loss, as did Azubuike.
If all players in this above scenario turn pro or transfer, KU would have as many as five additional scholarships available in recruiting, with coach Bill Self possibly bringing in as many as seven new Jayhawks in the Class of 2019.
The scholarship returnees figure to be: freshman guard Devon Dotson, sophomore guard Marcus Garrett, sophomore guard Charlie Moore, freshman guard Ochai Agbaji, freshman forward David McCormack and junior forward Mitch Lightfoot. Walk-ons Garrett Luinstra, E.J. Elliott and Chris Teahan also figure to be back.
Lets take a look at the newcomers and potential newcomers.
Braun, a 6-foot-7 senior guard from Kansas 6A state champion Blue Valley Northwest, averaged 27.8 points, 9.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.8 steals his senior season. He was MVP of the state tournament after scoring 16 points and grabbing 10 rebounds in the title game win over Topeka Washburn Rural.
McBride, a 6-1 point guard who goes by his nickname of Mackey, averaged 28.9 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4.1 assists a game this past season at Little Rock (Ark.) Baptist Prep.
