Friday Rock Chalk Roundup — 7.15.16
By Evan Riggs
Rock Chalk Roundup: Andrew Wiggins back in Lawrence, Cole Aldrich goes home, Trae Young Peach Jam highlights and more.
Jesse Newell of the KC Star: “College is arguably my favorite time, my best time in my life,” Wiggins said Thursday. “Just being on← the campus and hanging out with my friends and everybody else and games, the Fieldhouse, everything. It was amazing.” Wiggins returned to Lawrence briefly Thursday, working his Kansas All-Star Camp that was co-hosted by former Jayhawk Ben McLemore. It was Wiggins’ first time back in Kansas since August 2014. “It feels great, especially with the young kids, all Jayhawk fans,” Wiggins said. “They’re having fun. They’re all working hard. That gets me excited.”
Here’s the photo gallery from Wiggins’ day back in Lawrence.
Jon Krawczynski of the Associated Press: “He said he had talks about joining Thibodeau in Chicago with the Bulls a few years back and feels uniquely suited to play for a coach who values toughness and defense. Aldrich pointed to a scar over his left eyebrow and then popped out his fake front tooth to serve as his credentials.“As you can tell, I’ve got a few scars and I’ve got a missing tooth,” he said with a smile. “It kind of fits the groove. Just exciting to play for him and the organization is going to be a really good few years.”
Jesse Newell of the KC Star and C.J. Moore held a draft with the Roy Williams era Jayhawks in this podcast.
Matt Tait of the Lawrence Journal World: “There’s no doubt that what he experienced while facing some of the bigger, stronger pass rushers in the conference, along with what was taught to him by his coaches and teammates helped McCauley make it through his first season of college football, and he almost certainly used that information this offseason to better prepare himself for Year 2. KU coach David Beaty recently said that McCauley and Shelley-Smith were in a too-close-to-call type of battle for that starting spot. But, with preseason camp yet to begin, it’s what they will do in the next few weeks that will determine who starts and who does not. Even if he does not get the nod, McCauley will have value on this team as a swing tackle, joining Larry Hughes in providing depth behind Shelley-Smith and new right tackle D’Andre Banks.”
Brandon Chatmon of ESPN.com: “The Jayhawks could use help in the defensive backfield and Mayberry has the confidence and talent to make an immediate impact. A quick and competitive cover man, Mayberry could play early, either on special teams or on defense. At 5-foot-11 and 175 pounds, Mayberry has good size and room to grow and mature as a player. Kansas returns some talented players at the position, including Brandon Stewart, but Mayberry could be tough to keep off the field and should be a future leader for David Beaty’s team.”
Trae Young Peach Jam highlights from Matt Scott of The Shiver.
Aaron Miles hired by Florida Gulf Coast: “My family and I are extremely excited about joining the FGCU family,” Miles said in the release. “I want to thank coach Dooley for this great opportunity. I’m also very grateful and appreciative of the Kansas staff, players and in particular head coach Bill Self for allowing me to learn from them the past year and helping prepare me for this position. FGCU was the perfect fit for me. Having the chance to work with coach Dooley is a great honor as I’ve seen first-hand the passion and knowledge he has for the game. I’m looking forward to working with our student-athletes and helping them improve and succeed on and off the court every day.”