Kansas Basketball: Bill Self does it again
By Stan Unruh
Kansas Basketball has some added depth in the front court for next season. Bill Self spoke about his new big man this week.
When Udoka Azubuike injured his wrist last season, I feared Kansas Basketball was in big trouble. Coach Self is planning ahead for next season.
Most fans knew the team needed another big man. While I would have preferred a 7-foot Phenom, those aren’t always available.
Coach Bill Self found, as he usually does, the perfect graduate transfer.
Jack Whitman is graduating Saturday from William & Mary. They play in the “powerful” Colonial Athletic Conference.
Seriously, this young man could have a big impact on Kansas Basketball next season.
At 6 foot 9 and 235 pounds he should be big enough to mix it up in the middle. He reportedly is also quick enough to play away from the basket.
"“The best part of his game is his explosiveness,” Self said of Whitman. “He can play above the rim, has good feet and can score over both shoulders inside."
He started 25 games last season for a team that won 17 games. The Tribe played some tough non-conference competition including Duke and Louisville – both on the road.
Pitino’s Cardinals held Whitman to 3 points in just 19 minutes of action. He did grab 6 rebounds in the blowout loss.
He scored 13 points and got 4 rebounds in 16 minutes against Duke.
Against NCAA tourney team Rhode Island, Whitman scored 8 points with 4 rebounds in 24 minutes of action.
He hit just under 60 percent from the free throw line last season.
One of Whitman’s games did stand out to me. He scored 21 points in a mid-January blowout win over UNC Wilmington. It was his biggest offensive production of the season.
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When the teams met again in early March, UNCW held Whitman to just 4 points – to end his William & Mary career.
If coach Self is sold on Whitman, he will do just fine.