Kansas basketball: Lagerald Vick ready for new challenge

Another starter on the Kansas Basketball Final Four team is going pro. Lagerald Vick is ready for a new challenge.

Only one Kansas basketball player needed a senior night speech next season. Now Lagerald Vick apparently will miss the opportunity to make the Allen Fieldhouse crowd cry. The junior from Memphis is set to find out about life in professional basketball. He made it official this week that he didn’t want to return for a senior season.  I’m happy for him but disappointed.

I hoped Malik Newman or Vick would stay to lead next season’s team of youngsters. Vick has the most to gain from one more year in Hall of Fame coach Bill Self’s system.  I don’t know how close he is to finishing his degree. That is just as important.

Vick is an amazingly talented athlete who can jump out of the gym. He provided so many highlights over the past three seasons. His performance against Long Beach State in 2016 is one of the best ever by a Jayhawk. He hit all 9 of his shots including 4 from beyond the arc in that 30-point win over the 49ers. His 23-points that night were a career best at that point.

Vick led the Jayhawks in scoring as the team began 2017-18 Big 12 conference play. He had some health issues this season and was inconsistent at times. As a matter of fact, he almost cost the Jayhawks a win in Lubbock.  The Red Raiders held him to just two points in both meetings this year.  He more than made up for it in March with big games in the conference tournament and NCAA tournament action. His play against Duke in the Midwest Regional final was critical to the victory.

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Anything is possible

Everyone including coach Bill Self and Vick’s mom are firm on this decision. On the other hand, I wonder if they are playing it safe by announcing they didn’t hire an agent. This year’s NBA draft is loaded. Vick doesn’t want to play in the minor leagues or Europe. It will be interesting to see how this decision plays out. Yes, there are some talented player headed to Lawrence. I’d rather have a senior on next season’s Kansas basketball team.  But I’m selfish.