KU’s Dotson, Azubuike secure invitations to NBA Combine; will KU land Texas recruit?
Former University of Kansas basketball players Devon Dotson and Udoka Azubuike have both been invited to the 2020 NBA Combine, an NBA front office official told The Star.
The Combine, which normally is an in‑person event in Chicago in which players run through drills, scrimmage and have official measurements taken, may be an online‑only interview event this year depending on conditions surrounding the COVID‑19 pandemic. Former KU/Iowa guard Isaiah Moss was not on the list of 105 players who were considered for the Combine. The event normally includes between 60 and 70 NBA hopefuls.
Both Dotson and Azubuike are expected to be be selected in the two‑round draft, set for Oct. 16. No date has yet been set for the Combine.
Dotson, a 6-foot-2 first team all-Big 12 selection from Charlotte, North Carolina, is listed as the No. 25 overall pick of the New York Knicks by NBAdraft.net. He’s the No. 29 overall pick of the Los Angeles Lakers in the latest nbcsports.com mock draft.
Here’s what James Han of NBCsports.com wrote of Dotson: “L.A. is going to continue to search for low budget veterans to fill out the roster. That being said, Dotson is lightning quick and a solid creator who could be a nice third point option on a good team early in his career. In his sophomore season at Kansas, he was a catalyst for one of the best teams in the nation. Drafting a winner like Dotson makes sense, if the Lakers don’t deem the roster spot more valuable than the pick.”
Azubuike, a 7‑footer from Nigeria and the 2020 Big 12 player of the year, could be the No. 7 pick of Round 2, by Washington, according to NBAdraft.net.
Of Azubuike, NBA.com wrote: “Has an NBA body and is ready to be a defensive force protecting the rim and keeping opposing bigs out of the paint. A strong defensive rebounder as well. … Nearly unstoppable as a finisher if he can get the ball in his hands near the rim. … A dominant offensive rebounder who overpowers opposing defenses .”
KU announces Elliott’s departure
KU on Monday officially announced walk-on Elijah Elliott’s decision to leave the program.
KU coach Bill Self had confirmed to The Star on July 14 that the 6-3 sophomore from Southlake, Texas had decided to keep his name in the NCAA transfer portal and leave KU for a yet-to-be-determined school.
“We want to thank Elijah for all of his contributions to our program in his two years here,” Self said. “He has been a great teammate and is a hard worker who wants the opportunity to contribute more on the court. We wish Elijah and his family nothing but the best.”
Elliott, who red-shirted in 2018-19, scored seven points with three assists and two turnovers while playing 21 minutes total last season for the Big 12 champion Jayhawks (28-3).
“The past two years at Kansas have been a dream come true for me,” Elliott said. “I want to thank my family, the coaches, my teammates, the entire support staff and most importantly the Jayhawk Nation. I will always be grateful for how everyone treated me like their own. With that being said, me and my family have decided to transfer from Kansas. KU will always hold a special place in my heart. Rock Chalk.”
He told The Star on Monday he’d yet to choose a transfer destination.
KU may land Adams
Kansas is considered to be a strong contender for K.J. Adams, a 6-6, 220-pound senior power forward from Westlake High in Austin, Texas, according to Rivals.com.
Adams, the No. 83‑ranked player in the recruiting Class of 2021 according to Rivals.com, will choose from 10 schools at 6 p.m. Friday. They are: KU, Baylor, Texas, Texas Tech, Arkansas, Georgetown, Iona, Iowa, Oklahoma and UCF.
“Over the last month or so, Baylor had been thought to be doing well. With their recent commitments, though, the Bears and Adams may no longer be a match,” wrote Eric Bossi of Rivals.com. “The Big 12 is still prominent on his list and if not Baylor, many have long thought he would stay in the conference and there has been some Kansas talk. Is that still the case? Could Georgetown be a sleeper to land him? We’ll be monitoring all week.”
Baylor recently received commitments from power forward Jeremy Sochan, shooting guard Langston Love and small forward Kendall Brown from the Class of 2021.
“A 6-foot-7 forward who can play inside and out, Adams is known for his toughness and ability to rebound at his size while being productive,” wrote Brian Snow of 247sports.com. “Despite not being the tallest or most athletic player in the country, Adams has been a very consistent producer. He shows that he will compete against anybody, and was a key part of the Team Griffin AAU program.”
Hood-Schifino has KU on list
KU is in the running for Jalen Hood-Schifino, a 6-4 junior combo guard from Montverde (Florida) Academy who has decided to decommit from Pitt and reopen his recruitment.
He is ranked No. 33 in the recruiting Class of 2022 by Rivals. com.
KU, North Carolina and Louisville are recruiting Hood-Schifino, who will keep Pitt on his list of schools.
Jaden Bradley nets N.D. offer
Jaden Bradley, a 6-3 junior point guard from IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, on Friday received a scholarship offer from Notre Dame, according to 247sports.com.
Bradley, the No. 7-ranked player in the recruiting Class of 2022 by Rivals.com, has a list of KU, North Carolina, Michigan, UCLA, Alabama, Auburn, Boston College, Clemson, Florida State, Maryland, Notre Dame and others.
Chalmers set for game between former NBA, WNBA players
Former KU combo guard Mario Chalmers will play in an NBA-WNBA exhibition game billed as a “battle of the sexes” at 7 p.m. Central time Tuesday at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. The game is available on pay-per-view TV at the FITE-TV Website.
The men’s team will be coached by former NBA guard Mike Bibby; the women’s squad will be led by four‑time WNBA champion Cynthia Cooper. Women’s team players include Imani McGee‑Stafford, Kaela Davis, Danielle Adams, Shae Kelly and Tiffany Hayes.
Men’s players include Chalmers, Carlos Arroyo, Rob Hite and Jermaine Taylor.
Chalmers, 34, scored 50 points last week for Miami in a victory over Chicago in The 5 Tournament Pro Basketball Invitational at Orleans Arena. Chalmers’ team lost in the semifinals to Sacramento. Former KU forward Julian Wright’s Toronto team advanced to the 3-on-3 tourney finals by beating Texas. The championship game is 7 p.m. Wednesday, available on pay‑per‑view. The winning team splits $100,000. Chalmers played in Greece during a 2019‑20 season cut short
Chalmers played in Greece during a 2019‑20 season cut short by the pandemic. In his 50‑point game last week, he hit 15 threes in 29 attempts. Overall, he hit 17 of 32 shots with seven assists, six rebounds and four steals. He has said he would love to get an invitation to play for an NBA team during its reboot of its season. He’s a nine‑year NBA veteran who won two NBA titles with the Miami Heat.