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Kansas basketball: Jayhawks prepping for long-awaited Puerto Rico trip

By Joshua Schulman

Feb 18, 2023; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; Kansas Jayhawks huddle mid court prior to the game against the Baylor Bears at Allen Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 18, 2023; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; Kansas Jayhawks huddle mid court prior to the game against the Baylor Bears at Allen Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-USA TODAY Sports /
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Kansas basketball is preparing to embark on its offseason trip to Puerto Rico.

Less than a week from now, the Kansas Jayhawks will be in Puerto Rico for their first real exhibition games as a team. The long-awaited event will begin Aug. 1 and end a week later.

A trio of contests will be played on Aug. 3, 5, and 7, respectively. The full schedule for the trip has not yet been released, but head coach Bill Self revealed that the Jayhawks would take on the Bahamian National Team. Kansas could see NBA players such as Buddy Hield and Kai Jones in action, which should make for some extremely challenging competition.

There will be plenty of things to look out for during KU’s three exhibition games. This unit has never taken the floor together in front of a crowd, and most of the roster consists of transfers and high school recruits. The play of Hunter Dickinson and the Jayhawks’ other sought-after talent will be closely monitored.

Although it might not be the most cohesive unit yet, expectations are high for the 2023-24 Kansas basketball team. They are widely regarded as the likely preseason No. 1 team once the polls come out.

READ: Kansas announces first-round Maui opponent

Games will be played in Guillermo Angulo Carolina Coliseum in Carolina, Puerto Rico. It is the arena where the Gigantes de Carolina compete. The stadium has a capacity of around 4,000 seats.

Kansas basketball has not ventured on an overseas trip since 2017 when the school’s team traveled to Italy for one week. NCAA Division I schools are allowed to go on international preseason tours every four years, but the COVID-19 pandemic delayed it for the Jayhawks.

Coach Self said this in a press release from June:

"“We are excited for the upcoming Puerto Rico trip. We have three returning starters, but the other scholarship guys are new. This trip will allow this team to bond, get some extra work in and play competitive games. It will be a great trip for the team and for the fans who will also travel to Puerto Rico.”– Kansas basketball head coach Bill Self"

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