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Volume 128 Issue 103
COMMENTARY Recruiting could improve team culture
The Kansas men's basketball team needs some new faces next
season. One of the biggest issues that the team faced this season was what looked like the lack of a winning mindset.
The easiest way to change these issues is to bring new players into the program. Seven of the top 12 recruits for next season are currently undeclared, and Kansas could use the help of a few of them.
Kansas' lack of a solid lowpost big man was evident throughout most of the season and No. 10 recruit Stephen Zimmerman fits that build well. Zimmerman is a 7-foot-tall left-handed center.
Bill Self is well-known for his high-low offensive mindset when it comes to big men. Landen Lucas will likely start the season at the center position, but has not yet proven his ability to effectively perform on the offensive side of the ball.
Zimmerman has the ability to run the floor and can finish strong at the rim. He also has an outside shot that he can continue to develop his freshman year at college. Zimmerman is considering Kansas, UNLV, Kentucky and Arizona among others.
Another option for Kansas at the big man position is Mike Thorne Jr.
Thorne is a senior transferring from Charlotte, N.C. He has already graduated and, similarly to former Jayhawk Tarik Black, he will not have to sit out a year after transferring.
Thorne is scheduled to visit Kansas on May 1. Thorne has narrowed down his choices to three schools: Kansas, Pittsburgh and Illinois. He announced on Instagram that he will make his decision on April 25th.
Thorne is 6-foot-11 and weighs 270 pounds. He would bring a similar skill and mindset to the Jayhawks that Black did. He is a big body down low and brings the experience of having played four years of college basketball already. In 26 minutes per game, Thorne averaged 10 points and eight rebounds.
Cheick Diallo would be the best-case scenario for Kansas at the big man position.
Diallo is the No. 11 recruit in the country at 6-foot-9. Diallo was named the McDonald's All-American Game MVP after recording 18 points and 10 rebounds. Diallo brings a similar skill set to the table that Kansas commit Carlton Bragg does.
Whoever it is, Kansas needs help at the big man position. If Self is to continue running his high-low offense, the Jayhawks will need to improve at the position.
Edited by Miranda Davis
GRIFFIN HUGHE
@Griffin/Hughes
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Kansas baseball's N Laughlin has been seel 12 Newcomer of the his outstanding play out the week of March 5.
McLaughlin earn 12 Newcomer of Week honor
The Big 12 announced that the freshman the man was chosen for the along with West Virgin Blake Smith for week the season.
"I am absolutely the McLaughlin," head coa Price said in a KU
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Tuesday, April 7, 2015
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as rowing team, won the 2015 Marlene an athlete, student and philologist.
nent mark on KU rowing, but she doesn't see it like that. For her, it's just one less space in the trophy cabinet.
Whether she's recognized or not, she'll continue to excel on the water, in school and change her community as she's done throughout her career.
I may try to paint her as a star but her team will always see her as, simply, Claudijah Lever.
Edited by Valerie Haag
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in 1969 by the Boston Celtics and went on to make seven all-star teams and win two NBA Championships. He averaged 17.2 points per game, 4.9 assists and 4.0 rebounds in his 11-year career.
White is among five others who will be inducted in September, including NBA referee Dick Bavetta, Kentucky coach John Calipari, former NBA forward Spencer Haywood, former NBA center Dikembe Mutombo and three-time WNBA MVP Lisa Leslie.
Both White and Haywood were part of the USA National Team which won an Olympic gold medal in 1968.
-Ben Felderstein
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