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Freshman forward Carlton Bragg Jr. dunks the ball in the second half against Baylor in the Big 12 Tournament. Bragg has announced that he will return to Kansas for his sophomore season.
Carlton Bragg Jr. announces return at Men's Basketball Awards Banquet
SCOTT CHASEN
@SChasenKU
At the 2015-16 Kansas Men's Basketball Awards Banquet on Wednesday, freshman forward Carlton Bragg Jr. announced his intentions to return to the University for his sophomore season.
"I've got a big stage and big shoes to fill," Bragg said after the banquet. "It's going to be a challenge, but I think I'm up for it."
Last season, Bragg averaged 3.8 points and 2.5 rebounds in 8.9 minutes per game. He scored a career-high 12 points against Kansas State in the quarterfinals of the Big 12 tournament.
In the middle of addressing the team on stage, Kansas coach Bill Self turned to Bragg, inviting him up on stage. There, Bragg announced his return, as the audience responded with applause.
On the year, Bragg scored in double figures just three times. However, his ability to stretch the floor and rebound — especially on the offensive glass — coupled with his potential to develop as a passer makes him an intriguing prospect.
"He's going to be special. He has a lot of talent and a good work ethic," junior guard Frank Mason III said after the team's loss to Villanova. "The sky is the limit for him."
With Bragg's announcement, Kansas has three open scholarships remaining for next year. That number will slip to two if freshman forward Cheick Diallo opts to return to the University. Diallo previously declared for the NBA Draft but can return since he has yet to hire representation.
Breakdown:
- Edited by Brendan
Dzwierzynski
Leaving and planning to hire an agent:
Which Kansas players are returning, and which are entering the NBA draft
Leaving but has not hired an agent:
Announced they will return:
Guard Wayne Selden Jr.
Guard Brannen Greene
Forward Cheick Diallo
Guard Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk
Forward Carlton Bragg Jr.
Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk to return for junior season
Missy Minear/KANSAN
Missy Minear/KANSAN Sophomore guard Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk shoots around an Austin Peay defender in the first round of the NCAA tournament.
SCOTT CHASEN
@SChasenKU
On Tuesday, Kansas guard Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk announced his intentions to return to Kansas. Prior to the announcement, Mykhailiuk was projected as the 45th best prospect for the 2016 NBA Draft according to DraftExpress. com.
Mykhailiuk averaged 5.4 points per game last season, shooting 40.2 percent from three. He scored a career-high 23 points in the first round of the NCAA tournament against Austin Peay, leading Kansas to a 105-79 win.
So far, in addition to the four seniors leaving the program, three Kansas players have declared for the draft: Wayne Selden Jr., Brannen Greene and Cheick Diallo. Of the three, Diallo is the only one who reportedly doesn't have any immediate plans to hire representation, meaning he can return to the Uni-
KU softball looks to capitalize on Texas Tech's road woes
BRIAN MINI
@daftpunkpop
Despite a rocky start to the conference season, there's still a chance for Kansas softball to make a run at a postseason spot. That starts this weekend against Texas Tech.
Coming into the weekend, the Jayhawks sit at just 1-2 in Big 12 play, which isn't as bad as it sounds, given the one win came against No. 7 ranked Oklahoma, according to the NCAA Softball RPI.
Despite the conference success, Texas Tech's record on the season is just 19-21, which includes a 3-13 away record, largely in part to their poor pitching. The Red Raiders entire pitching staff has a 4.99 ERA with 81 strikeouts. Meanwhile Kansas sophomore pitcher Andie Formby has a 1.97 ERA with 103 strikeouts.
Meanwhile, the Red Raiders have played two series and sit at 4-2 in the Big 12 after sweeping Oklahoma State and picking up a win against Texas.
The Jayhawks will have to take advantage of the Red Raiders' high ERA. The Jayhawks have four players batting over .300 - senior
Tech has also committed the most errors in the Big 12 with 51. That's more than double Kansas' errors (20).
infielder Chaley Brickey, sophomore outfielder Erin McGinley, senior outfielder Shannon McGinley and sophomore infielder Daniella Chavez — and three players with more than 20 RBIs in Chaley, Chavez and sophomore catcher Harli Ridling.
Even with Formby's recent dominance, the threetime Big 12 Pitcher of the Week will still need to be wary of Tech's offense, which has four players batting over .300.
The first game of the series is at 5 p.m. Friday, April 15, at Rock Chalk Park.
Given both teams' recent success, this series could be closer than the stats reveal. This would be an important series win for Kansas, with a sweep propelling Kansas toward the top of the Big 12 standings.
The Jayhawks offense has been boom or bust against less talented pitching this season, but if it can turn that around, the Jayhawks would have a pretty solid start to the Big 12 season.
- Edited by Madi Schulz
Junior outfielder Kierra Miles is key to Texas Tech's offense. The Oklahoma native is batting .361 and has 41 RBIs with a Big 12-leading 13 home runs.
Sophomore pitcher Andie Formby pitches the ball against the St. Louis Billikens during the Jayhawks 9-0 victory at Rock Chalk Park on Sunday afternoon.
Paige Stingley/KANSAN
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versity up until 10 days after the NBA Draft Combine.
Later on Tuesday, Self told The Kansas City Star that Mykhailluik's decision was one that showed a lot of maturity and made sense with two other Kansas wings leaving early.
Location: 8000 Cole Parkway, Shawnee, KS 66227 Just west of K7 on 83rd St
Mykhailiuk's announcement comes one day after the top-ranked recruit in next year's class, Josh Jackson, committed to Kansas. Even though Mykhailiuk will be a junior next year, he's actually four months younger than Jackson, although he won't be the youngest player on the team for the first time in his career next season.
Udoka Azubuike, a Kansas recruit who is ranked 22nd in the 2016 ESPN 100, will turn 17 just before next year's Late Night, according to NBADraft.net.
SHARON JONES & THE DAP KINGS
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CHARCOAL JONES & THE BAR KINGS
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DISCLOSURE
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ZIGGY MARLEY
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311
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