KU coach Bill Self talks Silvio De Sousa, says something needs to be determined one way or another

By Matt Tait     Jan 14, 2019

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Kansas' Silvio De Sousa, left, watches from the bench during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Texas Monday, Jan. 14, 2019, in Lawrence, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

[Responding to questions about a Monday report stating that Kansas officials are in the process of urging the NCAA to immediately reinstate sophomore forward Silvio De Sousa,][1] KU coach Bill Self offered little new information. But he did share some insight regarding De Sousa’s status after No. 7 Kansas’ 80-78 win over Texas on Monday night at Allen Fieldhouse.

“I can’t say that there’s anything new (or) that we know anything will be done this week,” Self said. “I’m not in the know on a lot of those things. You guys may not believe me, but that’s factual.”

As he has been throughout the season, Self remains hopeful that De Sousa and the school will hear something “sooner rather than later” that would allow everyone to move forward.

“You know, we’re getting toward the end of the season,” Self began. “Something needs to be determined one way or another. He’s obviously ready to move forward with whatever it is, and he’s been very patient, and then us, as a team, we need to know, too. So I’m certainly hopeful we’ll get something sooner rather than later, but I don’t have a time frame.”

Asked how much he or university officials had been able to keep De Sousa informed about what has gone on during the past couple of months — during which KU has voluntarily held De Sousa out of games while awaiting guidance and word from the NCAA about his eligibility — Self painted a picture of a player who was aware of what was happening and why.

“I think he knows that there is definitely an effort (being made) to try to assist the process,” Self said Monday night. “The one thing that he has been very mature about is, he’s seeing big picture, because I think the school has done a good job educating him on the dynamics and why maybe things aren’t moving as quick as we want them to. He’s handled it like a stud. And, you know, he’s crushed.”

As for whether he could foresee a resolution that puts De Sousa on the court for Kansas sometime this season, Self said simply, “We’re certainly not putting all our eggs in that basket, but we’re very hopeful.”

One thing Self is not worried about is De Sousa following the path taken by former KU forward Billy Preston, who, last season, got tired of waiting for the NCAA to rule on his eligibility status and left the program to sign with a professional team overseas last January.

“No,” Self said. “But that was a totally different situation. I mean, you’re talking apples and oranges.”

[1]: http://www2.kusports.com/weblogs/tale-tait/2019/jan/14/report-ku-officials-to-ask-ncaa-to-reins/

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Written By Matt Tait

A native of Colorado, Matt moved to Lawrence in 1988 and has been in town ever since. He graduated from Lawrence High in 1996 and the University of Kansas in 2000 with a degree in Journalism. After covering KU sports for the University Daily Kansan and Rivals.com, Matt joined the World Company (and later Ogden Publications) in 2001 and has held several positions with the paper and KUsports.com in the past 20+ years. He became the Journal-World Sports Editor in 2018. Throughout his career, Matt has won several local and national awards from both the Associated Press Sports Editors and the Kansas Press Association. In 2021, he was named the Kansas Sportswriter of the Year by the National Sports Media Association. Matt lives in Lawrence with his wife, Allison, and two daughters, Kate and Molly. When he's not covering KU sports, he likes to spend his time playing basketball and golf, listening to and writing music and traveling the world with friends and family.