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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2014
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THE DAILY DEBATE
Which freshman will have the biggest impact for Kansas basketball?
"KELLY OUBRE, JR."
Freshman shooting guard Kelly Oubre Jr. is not Andrew Wiggins. He's not a guaranteed one-and-done. He may not be the best player on the roster, where Wiggins, to most, clearly was.
But Oubre has one thing that Wiggins didn't, and it's already gleamed in his time with the Kansas basketball team. It's his leadership.
During a two-day boot camp run by Marines last month, the award for best teammate and leader came down to three players: Wayne Selden Jr., Devonte Graham, and Oubre.
"You know, Kelly Oubre Jr. is going to be a good leader," coach Bill Self said.
And it wasn't just that one award that has proven Oubre's
leadership. Right when he arrived on campus and began working with the team, he's proven to be vocal, day-after-day, something that's not typically seen from a freshman.
Frequently in 2013, scouting reports of the Jayhawks' basketball team would come out naming Wiggins as the most talented prospect on the team, but reluctant as a leader. That proved to be true when Kansas got to the pinnacle of its season, failing to really find a voice that would lead the team.
the team.
As skill goes, Self did not slack off in his recruiting of a replacement for Wiggins. Oubre isn't far behind the first overall pick in the NBA draft in any aspect of his game, and a case can be made that Oubre is even more well-rounded than Wiggins.
Oubre started last season at No. 12 on Rivals' basketball rankings, and rose to No. 6 by the end of the year and continues to elevate his level of play. He specializes as shooting guard and small forward positions, but Self hopes to see him also post up and contribute as a power
forward, which Wiggins also had the ability to do.
The 6-foot-7 high school standout from Richmond, Texas, is a fantastic finisher around the rim, but specializes in 3-point shooting, and never hesitated to fire from the corners in high school. His freakish 7-foot-2 wingspan gives him an edge on defense, and at Late Night, that was on display.
Comparing Oubre to Cliff Alexander is splitting hairs. Both are some of the best prospects in the entire nation and both could be in the NBA at this time next year.
He started by poking a pass away for a steal early on, and in 16 minutes he had piled up five points, three boards, an assist and a block.
Considering that playing time for both isn't set in stone as we are weeks away from the season opener, I prefer Oubre, who has already proved to be a voice for the Jayhawks in the preseason, and will be crucial in filling the gap with Wiggins left.
Edited by Lyndsey Havens
"CLIFF ALEXANDER"
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ERIC HOSMER: 56%
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It is a well-known fact that the 2013-14 Kansas men's basketball team lacked toughness. There were more than a couple games that demonstrated this deficit. On a Dec. 10, 2013, bout against the University of Florida, the Jayhawks got punched in the mouth early and often and could not recover, eventually losing that game 61-67. In a January 5, 2014, home loss to San Diego State, Kansas was thoroughly outmuscled on rebounds and struggled to score in the game. The Jayhawks were outrebounded 51-39 in that game.
for his rim-rattling dunks, he is an elite rebounder and has a motor that won't stop running. Alexander will bring much needed energy to the 2014-15 Jayhawks team.
Let's start with Alexander's rebounding ability. Alexander uses his tremendous effort and 240-pound frame to outmuscle unfortunate opponents around the basket. In the 2014 Chicago high school championship, Alexander matched up with Jahlil Okafer, a current Duke Blue Devil and the No. 1 recruit in the 2014 class. Alexander helped his team win the game with 20 points and 12 rebounds. His rebounding efforts were a key part of that particular victory and will help the Jayhawks win this season.
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Thankfully, the Jayhawks now have a player who can add toughness and rebounding ability straight out of the gate. That player's name is Cliff Alexander. Coming out of Curie High School in Chicago, the freshman forward was the No. 4 ranked recruit in the class of 2014, according to Rivals.com. Often compared to a young Amar'e Stoudemire, Alexander plays with an infectious energy. Although he is best known
Alexander should have a season comparable to the one Julius Randle had last season. In his one and only season with the Kentucky Wildcats, Randle averaged 15 points and 10 rebounds while earning third-team All-American honors. Considering the nature of Kansas coach Bill Self's high-low offense, Alexander should get a great amount of touches and can have an even better season than Randle had. Like Randle, Alexander should impact the Jayhawks with high-energy rebounding and hustle-plays.
Alexander will affect the Jayhawks with his infectious energy, which often manifests itself in the form of rim-rocking dunks and impressive shot-blocking ability. When Alexander is in the vicinity of the basket, chances are high that he will try to dunk the basketball. Despite his 6-foot-9 size, Alexander is a very good shot-blocker. On a Jayhawks team without a player like Jeff Withey or Joel Embid, that shot-blocking ability will be very much needed to help round out the defense.
Center in Kansas City, Mo., junior forward Perry Ellis described how Alexander has benefited the team. "Cliff is a physical guy," Ellis said. "Going up against him (in practice) has really helped me."
THE BULLPEN. 44%
Alexander has also made an impression on some of the returning players. At Big 12 Media Days, which was held on Wednesday morning at the Sprint
Yes, the Jayhawks may have other freshmen who will greatly affect the team in this upcoming season. Kelly Oubre Jr. brings monstrous scoring ability. Devonte Graham brings leadership at point guard and Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk brings an excellent 3-point shooting ability. However, Alexander will make the biggest overall impact throughout the season and should be a key piece in the Jayhawks' quest for an 11th straight Big 12 Conference title and hopefully a national championship.
Edited by Alyssa Scott
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