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THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 3. 2014
PAGE 10B
Wayne Selden settles into bigger role for Kansas
STELLA LIANG
@stelly_liang
Wayne Selden Jr. is no longer a freshman waiting to make a highly anticipated debut. He is also not a seasoned veteran.
But starting this season tonight with the exhibition game against Washburn, Selden said he's ready to be a leader.
"I feel like even though I'm just a sophomore, we still got a lot of young guys, guys looking at me for that leadership role." Selden said on basketball media day last month. "I feel like I can do that."
Wayne feels like this is his team more than anybody else's, which is a good thing. I think his leadership role is much more advanced since last year."
Selden never drew a crowd at the media day, with freshman Cliff Alexander and junior Perry Ellis at the center of attention. During this season, however, his experience will be sought in the backcourt, especially with the recent departure of sophomore guard Conner Frankamp.
BILL SELF
Kansas basketball coach
"Even though Perry [Ellis] is the biggest veteran we have and even though Jamari [Traylor] is a year older, Wayne feels like this is his team more than anybody else's, which is a good thing," Self said at the basketball media day. "I think his leadership role is much more advanced since last year. Where last year he was just kind of fitting in, this year I think he's taken more of a
leadership role."
Selden, who was sometimes overshadowed by fellow freshman Andrew Wiggins, came to Kansas as ESPN's 14th ranked member of the 2013 class. Last season, he averaged 9.7 points a game and totaled 87 assists, which was the second most on the team. He was also one of only two players who started all 35 games; Wiggins was the other.
At one point in the season, there was speculation that Selden would only spend one year in a Jayhawk uniform. Following the end of the season, Selden ended all conjectures with a tweet indicating he would be back. Part of the tweet read that he couldn't wait to get back to work.
Coming back this season, Selden said he has many goals for the team, listing improved defense and teamwork among them.
As for himself, Selden can work on improving his shooting consistency, Self said.
"Last year, he was great at times and last year he was obviously very streaky at times," Self said. "I would love for him to become more consistent."
Wherever he is, coach Self said, Selden will be aggressive. Self went as far as calling Selden an "alpha dog."
"I think he's in better shape," Self said. "I think he's healthy, he's got more bounce. He's definitely much more aggressive."
Selden might find his role expanded to many parts of the court. Known usually as a shooting guard, Selden has been practicing at the forward position. Now with Frankamp's departure, he could spend some time at the point guard position.
Edited by Yu Kyung Lee
JAMES HOVT/KANSAN
ABOVE: Kansas guard Wayne Selden, Jr. goes for a basket in a home game against TCU on Feb. 15 last season. Selden finished with 15 points against the Horned Frogs in the Jayhawks' '95-65 win. Last season, Selden averaged 9.7 points.
LEFT: Then-freshman Wayne Selden, Jr. celebrates Kansas' victory against Texas on Feb. 22. Although he is not a veteran player, Selden said he is ready to be a leader for the team.
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