Bosom buddies in grade school, high school and college, Michael Lee and Aaron Miles remain best of friends well into adulthood.

"That will never change," former Kansas University shooting guard Lee said of his close relationship with fellow 24-year-old Portland native Miles. The two sitting down for an interview after a strenuous workout Tuesday at Bill Self's basketball camp in Horejsi Center.

"We still call each other, talk every day, get up together, go to work out, go eat. It will not change. We were together long before basketball started," Lee added.

The 2005 KU graduates, who remain the only Jayhawk men's basketball players in history to hail from Oregon, took their brotherhood overseas last season.

The 6-foot-1 Miles last winter and spring played point guard for a professional team in Pau, France. The 6-3 Lee played point and shooting guard for a team in Orleans, France, after first working out with Miles' squad for a couple of months.

"France was tough for me," said Lee, who returned home in April to play for the Kansas Cagerz of the USBL. He hurt his right shoulder early into his stint with the Salina-based team and may be sidelined the next two to five months because of some nerve damage.

"Right when I got there the starting point guard got hurt. They threw me right in there. I was playing 30 minutes a game," Lee said. "It's a different style of basketball. The coaching was different, the language obviously, trying to read stop signs, reading menus, eating the food. I lost 13 pounds in the first two weeks (with Orleans team)."

He did enjoy one aspect of French cuisine.

"They have exquisite restaurants and entrees. A guy told me I had to try mussels. It was the best thing I've ever tasted. Mainly they like wine, bread, cheese, a lot of stuff I don't eat. If it wasn't McDonald's, I wasn't eating," Lee said.

Miles, meanwhile, was not on his own after Lee left Pau for Orleans. Miles' girlfriend joined him in Pau, where he averaged 10 points and six assists a game.

"It was a great experience being in another country," said Miles, who will play for the San Antonio Spurs' summer-league team in coming weeks with the hope of landing an invitation to veterans' camp.

"Experiencing their culture was enjoyable. Our team played in two different leagues, the French League and Euro League. I feel I've gotten a lot better. I was shooting pretty well out there, scoring decent the second half of the season. I'm excited about this summer.

"I believe so," he stated, asked if he thinks he can stick with an NBA team, whether it's the Spurs or another squad. He played 19 games for Golden State during the 2005-06 season before getting cut three days before contracts became guaranteed for the entire season.

"I've been working hard my whole life. I will continue to work hard. We'll see what happens. The Spurs may or may not have a spot. However, by playing with them I'll get good exposure, and other teams may be interested as well."

Lee will continue to work camps all summer then decide his next step. He played for the Harlem Globetrotters his first year out of college.

"I'll figure it out," Lee said. "I can play, but I shouldn't play. It's risking possible permanent nerve damage if I don't rest."

Both are happy to be back in town working out with the Jayhawks and helping out at Self's camp.

"I like being around KU in general," Lee said. "I like being around the guys. I like working the camps."

Of KU's current players, Lee gushed: "They are really talented."

Miles added: "They are real good, and they are missing one of their key components as well (the injured Brandon Rush)."

¢McDonald's visit: Phillip McDonald, a 6-5 senior-to-be from Cypress Springs High in Cypress, Texas, was on campus Monday for an unofficial visit.

"I was able to take a tour of the place and played some basketball with the players. I had a great visit to Kansas. I was able to talk to coach Self, and he offered me a scholarship. We talked about what a good fit Kansas is for me," McDonald told Rivals.com. "I like how the players come off screens and shoot the ball at Kansas. I am going to take a little more time before I make my decision. The only other visit I have planned right now is a trip to Baylor's elite camp."

McDonald is considering KU, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Florida State, Texas A&M;, Baylor and others.