THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2013
PAGE 5
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MICHAEL STRICKLAND/KANSAN all well for a 6-foot-7 player.
Freshman guard Brannen Greene describes himself as primarily a shooter and handles the ball well for a 6-foot-7 player.
MICHAEL STRICKLAND/KANSAN
Joel Embiid, a freshman center from Cameroon, was a highly touted recruit. Embiid's background in volleyball benefits him on the basketball court.
MEN'S BASKETBALL
GEORGE MULLINIX/KANSAN
Freshman guard Frank Mason acts as a backup point guard this season. Coach Bill Self described Mason as a "pit bull."
Freshman recruits bring depth, versatility to team
BRIAN HILLIX
bhillix@kansan.com
This year's recruiting class features Andrew Wiggins, the top recruit in the country; Joel Embid, a seven-footer from Cameroon; and McDonald's All-American Wayne Selden. Just don't overlook the other players that round out the second-best recruiting class in the nation, according to ESPN.
Freshman guards Conner Frankamp, Brannen Greene and Frank Mason provide depth to the guard position that Kansas lacked last season. Each player averaged more than 25 points per game their senior years in high school and each brings different skills to the program.
Now the owner of the Wichita City League scoring record, Frankamp is a 6-foot point guard known for putting up points in a hurry. Ranked No. 34 overall by Rivals.com, Frankamp averaged more than 31 points per game in his senior season at Wichita North High School highlighted by a 52 percent three-point field goal percentage.
"If there's somebody who shoots
Frankamp knows high school is vastly different from college where defenders are taller and more physical. Accepting that he won't attempt as many shots while at Kansas, he emphasized knocking down open shots when he has them.
it better, I'd like to see it." Self said,
"because he can shoot it maybe as well as anyone we have had here."
Mason said his primary responsibilities at Kansas are to "be a pit bull on the ball, guard anyone and lead the team."
"I feel like I was pretty accurate in high school," Frankamp said. "I just got to bring that to the college level."
"He's big," Self said. "He's 6-foot-7 with great range and vision and good ball skills."
Also an accurate shooter, 6 foot- 7-inch Greene brings an all-around game to the squad along with the unusual combination of size and long-range shooting. He averaged 27 points, nine rebounds, six assists and two steals per game to go along with a 91 percent free throw percentage.
Known for his gritty defense and ball-handling abilities, Mason is a physical guard capable of driving the lane and knocking down the open three. He averaged more than 27 points per game his senior year.
perceptions. Greene describes himself as primarily a shooter, but capable of contributing in multiple ways. He said he is comfortable playing as a shooting guard or small forward.
"I handle the ball pretty well for my height," Greene said. "I'm a versatile player."
Mason, ranked No. 76 according to Rivals.com, will likely see the most playing time of this threesome, acting as the backup point guard to junior Naadir Tharpe.
"There is no question Frank can push Naadir and Naadir knows that," Self said. "Frank is talented, he's tough and he's a pit bull, probably as tough as anybody we have."
Greene was ranked No.29 in the
nation according to Rivals.com. Self said he would be a headliner in any other recruiting class.
You may not see these players on the court a lot this season, but expect to hear their names often throughout their Kansas careers.
Edited by Tara Bryant
DID YOU KNOW?
BRANNEN GREENE was named the 2013 Gatorade Georgia Boys Basketball Player of the Year and Georgia's 2013 Mr. Basketball.
FRANK MASON scored 1,901 points during his career at Petersburg High School, second only to forward Moses Malone, an NBA Hall of Famer.
CONNER FRANKAMP averaged more than 14 points a game at the FIBA World Championships for the U17 USA Basketball team in the summer of 2012, where the Americans won gold.
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