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Breaking down Kansas' newest transfer
DYLAN SHERWOOD
@dsherwoodku
Malik Newman had a chance to come to Kansas right after high school, but the Jackson, Miss. native decided on Mississippi State over schools like Kansas, Kentucky, LSU and Texas A&M.
After playing one year at Mississippi State, Newman decided to declare for the NBA Draft. However, he said he was not satisfied with his performance at the
Contributed/Kansas Athletics
He then announced he would transfer from Mississippi State and seek other options.
NBA Combine and dropped out of the Draft.
Sophomore transfer Malik Newman joins the Jayhawks after a year of playing for Mississippi State University. He will be eligible to play in 2017-18.
Newman visited multiple schools and decided this time that Kansas was the way to go. His commitment came last Friday in a KU Athletics release.
Here is a look at some of the 6'3" combo guard's preKU achievements, and how he will fit into the roster.
HIGH SCHOOL
Newman was a 2014-15 McDonald's All-American nominee and the overall No. 2 recruit by Scouts.com. He was ranked No. 8 according to Rivals.com and No. 10 in ESPN's 100.
Newman was named Mr. Basketball in the state of Mississippi twice during his four years at Callaway High School in Jackson, Miss. During his senior season, He averaged 29.7 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game. Newman led Callaway to four straight Class 5A Mississippi State Championships and was named the MVP during his senior campaign.
Over his four years at Callaway High School, he scored 3,108 points,651 rebounds,301 assists and 195 steals. His No. 14 jersey has been retired at Callaway High School.
"In our opinion, Malik was a top-five player coming out of high school," Kansas coach Bill Self said in a Kansas Athletics release. "He's a combo guard that has good size, can really shoot the ball and stretch it. There are things he needs to get better at, but the year off will allow him to address things that the NBA people wanted to see more of out of him."
FRESHMAN YEAR AT MISSISSIPPI STATE
During his one season at Mississippi State, Newman averaged 11.3 points per game and made 61 three-point field goals. He made seven three-pointers against Ole Miss in January and was one shy of breaking the school record of most three-pointers in a
Newman was named the SEC Freshman of the week during the week of December 20, 2015 after a 20-point outing against Northern Colorado.
game. Newman scored a career-high 25 points in that game.
"He's a combo guard that has good size, can really shoot the ball and stretch it. There are things he needs to get better at, but the year off will allow him to address things that the NBA people wanted to see more of out of him."
-- Bill Self
Kansas Coach
WHO WILL NEWMAN REPLACE?
Having to sit out the 2016-17 season, Newman will have the whole year to get better and practice against KU's starting guards, including senior guard Frank Mason and junior guard Devonte' Graham.
With Mason leaving after the 2016-17 season and Graham potentially declaring for the NBA Draft, Newman could form a new guard duo with current
sophomore LaGerald Vick.
"We feel very fortunate that we were able to influence him and his family that this is the best place for him to try to realize his goals both on and off the basketball court," Self said in the release.
All information from KU Athletics