Through the Phog
Fansided

Former Kansas Star Kelly Oubre Still Fighting

By Stan Unruh

May 2, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Washington Wizards shooting forward Kelly Oubre Jr. (12) stand next to Boston Celtics point guard Isaiah Thomas (4) during the first quarter in game two of the second round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
May 2, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Washington Wizards shooting forward Kelly Oubre Jr. (12) stand next to Boston Celtics point guard Isaiah Thomas (4) during the first quarter in game two of the second round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /
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Former Kansas Basketball star Kelly Oubre, Jr. is passionate about basketball. He’s now serving an NBA suspension for that passion.

I really was disappointed when Oubre left after one season playing Kansas Basketball. Was he ready for prime time? I never think most underclassmen are ready. I don’t like these one and done situations.

Few are as obvious as Andrew Wiggins or this year Josh Jackson.

It doesn’t matter what I think. A talented player in the right situation, on the right team and with the right coach will flourish.

Oubre found the right team. Fortunately, Atlanta picked and then traded him to Washington.

After averaging 10 minutes a game in his rookie season, he’s playing twice that much per game this season.

May 2, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Washington Wizards shooting forward Kelly Oubre Jr. (12) stand next to Boston Celtics point guard Isaiah Thomas (4) during the first quarter in game two of the second round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
May 2, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Washington Wizards shooting forward Kelly Oubre Jr. (12) stand next to Boston Celtics point guard Isaiah Thomas (4) during the first quarter in game two of the second round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /

While he occasionally got fired up for Bill Self and Kansas Basketball (remember the Baylor game?), Oubre exploded in game three of the NBA Eastern Conference semifinals against Boston the other night.


Officials charged him with a flagrant 2 foul for charging and knocking over Kelly Olynyk. Then the refs sent him to the showers.

Did he overreact?  Maybe that’s what his teammates needed to see.

On the other hand, the event is more costly, since the league suspended him Sunday’s game 4

This is not his first Oubre has had a run in with the NBA. During his rookie year, the league fined him for “making an obscene gesture” during a game against San Antonio.

Kansas basketball fans were just getting to know Oubre when he declared for the NBA draft. He was fun to watch.

Next: Why Kansas basketball doesn’t need Trevon Duvall

I recall his big games against Baylor and Oklahoma? Now he need a big game 5 for Washington.

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