Ellis set to join 1,000-point club

By Gary Bedore     Feb 14, 2015

Nick Krug
Kansas forward Perry Ellis (34) drives against Iowa State forward Dustin Hogue (22) during the second half on Monday, Feb. 2, 2015 at Allen Fieldhouse.

Perry Ellis, who has expanded his range to hit 13 three-pointers in 2014-15 after making eight treys his sophomore season and two his freshman campaign, needs just three points today against Baylor to join the 1,000-point club at Kansas University.

“It’s real humbling to be able to play for Kansas and get the opportunity to do that,” the 6-foot-8 junior power forward from Wichita said. “I just feel blessed to be in this position. I’m just going to keep working hard,” added Ellis, who is striving to become the 56th player in KU history to reach the 1,000 mark.

He’ll be the first Jayhawk to 1,000 since Thomas Robinson in the 2011-12 season.

Ellis averages 12.9 points per game for Kansas (20-4 overall, 9-2 Big 12) heading into today’s noon game at Allen Fieldhouse against Baylor (18-6, 6-5).

“We’re playing Baylor. He’s going to need more than three points,” KU coach Bill Self said. Ellis scored just four points off 2-of-8 shooting in KU’s 56-55 win over the Bears on Jan. 7 in Waco, Texas.

“But I think that it is a great accomplishment. There’s not as many kids doing that in today’s time as what there was before because kids don’t stay for three or four years,” Self added. “If he were to stay here for all four years, he could be in that 1,500 range, possibly one of the top 20 scorers in school history, which would be a great accomplishment at a place like this, or that would put him in that vicinity. But we’re certainly proud of Perry and certainly hope it happens early in the first half Saturday.”

If Ellis bypasses the NBA Draft and does eclipse the 1,500 mark, he’d indeed be 20th-leading scorer in school annals. To be a top-10 scorer, he’d need 1,753 points.

“Perry is great. You know, Perry, he can be frustrating at times because I want him to (attack at all times), but he’s a great kid, and he’s fun to coach. His personality has really come out, I think, in the last year or so. He’s a stud, and he’s been a great ambassador for our university and for our program, and he’ll continue to do so,” Self said.

Sophomore guard Wayne Selden Jr., who has 579 career points, says he’s “really excited for him when he gets a chance to score his 1,000th point. He means a lot. He’s basically the best scorer on our team, the best low-post presence when it comes to scoring. He can score from all places on the floor.”

“That’s awesome. You don’t see that as much from a talented player like him. Most don’t stay that long,” said sophomore Landen Lucas. “To have Perry be part of this team has been great. It’s really fun for us to watch this happen.”

On Baylor: Baylor is 6-3 in conference play since its one-point loss to KU. In that game, 6-8 junior forward Rico Gathers erupted for 14 rebounds (nine offensive) and nine points in 29 minutes.

“At least he didn’t get 20,” Self said, referring to boards. “I think he’s played himself into the conversation for Player of the Year in our league. He’s a monster in there. He does a great job of going after every ball.”

“He’s good. He’s physical,” said Lucas, who had two boards in four minutes in Waco. “He is a very good offensive rebounder. It will be a focus for us to make sure he doesn’t get a ton of offensive rebounds.”

KU’s Jamari Traylor scored 13 points against BU’s zone, while Brannen Greene hit two threes and had 12 points. Frank Mason III had 11 points and five assists. BU point guard Kenny Chery had 25 points off 8-of-14 shooting. He hit four threes in seven tries.

“You’ve got to get in gaps and be able to get the ball flat, then of course you want to be able to attack the middle of it,” Self said of the zone. “You’ve still got to make shots.”

Interview: Self will be featured on CBS Sports’ “NCAA Men of March” at 11:30 a.m. today. An encore presentation of the show will air on CBS Sports Network (www.cbssportsnetwork.com) at 6 p.m. Monday.

Tidbits: KU during the game will recognize the accomplishments of former KU player and college coaching legend Dean Smith, who died Sunday at his home in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Smith was 83 years old. … Several former KU players in the NBA are expected to be in the stands today, including Joel Embiid (Sixers), Nick Collison (Thunder) and Ben McLemore (Kings). Tyshawn Taylor, who played for the Nets a year, now plays in Puerto Rico after being released by a team in Russia. … KU leads the all-time series vs. Baylor, 22-4. KU has won three straight and four of six in the series. … KU is 11-0 vs. BU in Allen. Self is 14-4 against Baylor, 14-3 as KU coach; Scott Drew is 3-14 vs. KU. … No game time has been set for KU’s home game against Texas on Feb. 28 and game at Oklahoma on March 7. It’s still possible ESPN GameDay could come to KU on the 28th. … The Jayhawks face another tough test at 8 p.m. Monday at West Virginia.

Possible Starters

BAYLOR (18-6, 6-5)

F — Royce O’Neale (6-6, Sr.)

F — Rico Gathers (6-8, Jr.)

F — Johnathan Motley (6-9, Fr.)

G — Kenny Chery (5-11, Sr.)

G — Lester Medford (5-10, Jr.)

KANSAS (20-4, 9-2)

F — Perry Ellis (6-8, Jr.)

F — Cliff Alexander (6-8, Fr.)

G — Frank Mason III (5-11, Soph.)

G — Wayne Selden Jr. (6-5, Soph.)

G — Kelly Oubre Jr. (6-7, Fr.)

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