Roster set for Kansas men’s basketball team

Apr 2, 2012; New Orleans, LA, USA; Kansas Jayhawks head coach Bill Self reacts during the second half in the finals of the 2012 NCAA men

Last year’s runner-up roster was set on Monday. Kansas head coach Bill Self has all kinds of youth at his disposal. Even with one of the highest ranked recruiting incoming recruiting classes in the country, Self has three dependable seniors in Elijah Johnson, Jeff Withey, and Travis Releford. Seldom used Niko Roberts and Justin Wesley, are the only returning juniors. Nadir Thorpe, who has shown some great things during practice in the off-season returns. He saw little action last year, though should play more next season. Christian Garrett, also returns as a sophomore.

That brings us to the vaunted freshman class, each of which can contribute immediately if given the chance. Ben McLemore and Jamari Traylor, both have been with the program for a year, yet now have a chance to play. Perry Ellis arrives as the likely heir apparent to Sacramento Kings top pick Thomas Robinson opposite Withey in the middle. Ellis was the 2012 Gatorade High school player of the year. Milton Doyle and Anrio Adams arrive as two of the top 100 recruits in the country to aide Johnson in the backcourt. Both guards can light it up from the outside. Three strong forwards/centers arrive in Zach Peters, Andrew White and Landen Lucas. Self’s son Tyler also has a roster spot as a walk-on guard, as does guard Evan Manning out of Lawrence, Kansas.