Through the Phog
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Three former Jayhawks headed to inagural G-League Elite Camp

By Logan Fricks

SAN ANTONIO, TX - MARCH 31: Malik Newman #14 of the Kansas Jayhawks is defended by Collin Gillespie #2 of the Villanova Wildcats during the 2018 NCAA Men's Final Four Semifinal at the Alamodome on March 31, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. The Villanova Wildcats defeated the Kansas Jayhawks 95-79. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX - MARCH 31: Malik Newman #14 of the Kansas Jayhawks is defended by Collin Gillespie #2 of the Villanova Wildcats during the 2018 NCAA Men's Final Four Semifinal at the Alamodome on March 31, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. The Villanova Wildcats defeated the Kansas Jayhawks 95-79. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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Three former Kansas Jayhawks have been invited to the NBA G-League Elite Camp from May 12 to May 14.

Former guards Andrew White III and Malik Newman, along with forward Billy Preston, have all been selected as three of 80 candidates invited to an NBA G-League event from May 12 to May 14.

The G-League Elite Camp, an event established in February of this year, is a way for prospects who were not invited to the NBA Combine to show off their talent in front of NBA scouts. The event also allows for current G-League players to show off their skillset as well.

However, the two groups, the G-League group and NBA Draft hopefuls will be in separate groups. The 40 draft-eligible players will participate in their own events while the G-League prospects will be separated from the other group.

Newman transferred to the Jayhawks from Mississippi State, where he signed on as a five-star recruit. After a mixed bag season there, he decided to transfer and eventually landed at Kansas.

In his lone season at Kansas, Newman helped the Jayhawks make it to the Final Four in 2018. He then declared for the draft after his incredible postseason run.

From the first game in the Big 12 conference tournament to the Final Four game against Villanova, Newman averaged 22.5 points after averaging only 12 points in games prior.

Newman went undrafted in 2018 and eventually signed a G-League contract with the Canton Charge after having a two-way contract with the Lakers and another short-lived contract with the Miami Heat. As a member of the Charge, Newman averaged 11 points a game, shooting 44.8 percent from the field.

White spent two years as a Jayhawk before transferring to Nebraska and then eventually Syracuse. White never was able to reach his full potential at Kansas, playing only five minutes a game in his freshman season and then just over six minutes in his sophomore campaign.

KANSAS CITY, MO – NOVEMBER 19: Andrew White III #3 of the Kansas Jayhawks in action during the CBE Hall of Fame Classic against the Washington State Cougars at the Sprint Center on November 19, 2012 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO – NOVEMBER 19: Andrew White III #3 of the Kansas Jayhawks in action during the CBE Hall of Fame Classic against the Washington State Cougars at the Sprint Center on November 19, 2012 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

It was not until White left the Jayhawks that he would reach his potential. After leaving Kansas, White averaged 16.6 points per game at Nebraska and then 18.5 at Syracuse, leading to a third-team All-ACC award.

White went undrafted in 2017 and eventually wound up in the G-League after signing brief contracts with the Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers. He signed with the Maine Red Claws and established himself as one of the top players in the league, averaging 16 points a game, including 37 in his debut.

On January 15, 2018, White made his NBA debut with the Atlanta Hawks, scoring 15 points in only 17 minutes. He bounced back and forth between the Hawks and their G-League affiliate, the Erie BayHawks.

In his 15 games with Atlanta, White averaged 4.6 points per game in 13.9 minutes a game.

White played in Turkey for two months in 2018 before returning to the Red Claws for the 2018-19 season. He averaged 12.9 points per game on 42.6 percent shooting.

Finally, Preston never stepped on the court for the Jayhawks as he was involved in an on-campus car accident, which resulted in an extensive investigation. The power forward came to Kansas as the 18th overall recruit in the ESPN recruiting rankings.

Many thought he would help support a program that was struggling to find a big to play alongside current junior center Udoka Azubuike.

Preston eventually opted to play overseas for Igokea of the ABA and Bosnian leagues.

Preston entered the G-League in 2018 on a two-way contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers, although he never appeared in a game with the Cavaliers. After being waived by the squad, he signed with the Erie BayHawks.

CLEVELAND, OH – SEPTEMBER 24: Billy Preston #20 of the Cleveland Cavaliers on Media Day at Cleveland Clinic Courts on September 24, 2018 in Independence, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – SEPTEMBER 24: Billy Preston #20 of the Cleveland Cavaliers on Media Day at Cleveland Clinic Courts on September 24, 2018 in Independence, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

Preston finished out the season with the Texas Legends, where he saw the most playing time at.

In his 27 combined games, Preston averaged 7.1 points per game, 4.4 rebounds and shot 38.5 percent from the field. He averaged 17.6 minutes on the season.

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