Kansas basketball coach Roy Williams wanted to corral two big guys and a swing man during the November signing period.
He was two-thirds successful, on Thursday receiving national letters-of-intent from Jeff Graves, a 6-foot-9, 255-pound sophomore from Iowa Western Community College and Moulaye Niang, a 6-9, 205 senior from Christian High in El Cajon, Calif.
KU’s coach will keep looking for the elusive small forward second semester.
“I feel very good about both those kids. We could use both of them now with Wayne out,” said Williams, referring to power forward Wayne Simien, who will miss two to four weeks following arthroscopic knee surgery.
“Jeff is one of those late bloomers you’ve heard me say I enjoy having on our team. They have not been pampered quite as much as the best players in the universe as eighth, ninth and 10th graders. Jeff is powerful and can take up space inside. Along with that he has a very good touch. He is a bright young man.
“I saw him practice once this year and he took three charges (on defense). I like that part of it. He has great hands and really good feet for somebody that size,” he added of Graves, who picked KU over Illinois, Missouri, Louisville, Long Beach State and others after averaging 12 points and 10 rebounds last season.
A native of Senegal, Niang averaged 12 points and 10 boards his junior year at Christian High. He chose KU over San Diego State, Connecticut and others.
“Moulaye is a youngster everybody fell in love with when he was here on his visit,” Williams said. “His upside is considerable. He’s another guy who has not played a lot of basketball. He is a fantastic athlete with long arms. He can block shots. He’s a great kid with a big-time smile.
“Right now his defensive play is ahead of his offensive game. I think he’ll fit in and represent the university well and help us win some games, too.”
Williams said assistant Neil Dougherty discovered Niang at a prep tournament on the West coast.
“He saw this 6-9 athlete who would be able to guard guys on the perimeter who had great feet. He told me I should watch him,” Williams said. “I watched him when I was going to another tournament and saw him at an individual workout at the high school, too.
“Jeff I last saw when he was an 11-year-old kid at our basketball camp. I missed him until last summer when I saw him at a junior college all-star game (in Oklahoma). Mark Turgeon (Wichita State coach) had seen him the night before and liked him,” he added of Graves, who attended Lee’s Summit, Mo. High.
Williams lost out on several players in recruiting, including swing players Hassan Adams (Arizona) and Andre Iguodala (Arkansas).
“It was a hard year for us,” Williams said. “It’s never been easy but it has been a hard year. I sort of thought we’d get one perimeter player by this time. It also didn’t work out that way.
“I’ve very very pleased with the two post players we felt we had to have. It was our primary need, but by now we wanted a perimeter player as well. We’ll still recruit as long as we can.”
Next recruiting period is in April.
“It’s always a better scenario to finish in the fall then start working next year’s class,” Williams said. “We’re not going to be able to do that this year.”
Pronunciation guide How does one pronounce Moulaye Niang? It’s “Moo-lie Nang,” which rhymes with fang.
Early wake-up call: KU’s players and coaches were to board a bus at 4:45 a.m. this morning for KC International and a long day of travel to Maui, site of the Maui Invitational. KU will fly American Airlines from Kansas City to Dallas and Dallas to Honolulu, then Honolulu to Maui. The Jayhawks will practice Saturday and Sunday in Maui (the team is to arrive in Maui at about 8 p.m. Central time tonight) and play Ball State at 3:30 p.m. CST on Monday.
Coach’s contract: Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski signed what’s billed as a lifetime contract on Wednesday.
“He has a nice deal, deservedly so,” Williams said. “What he’s accomplished has been unbelievable.”
Does Williams like lifetime deals?”
“I guess so,” he said, laughing. “I’ve been very fortunate here. Everybody knows I have a five-year rollover contract. I signed it in 1990 and have not asked to have any of it changed since 1990. As far as I’m concerned I have a lifetime contract. The year they decide not to add a year in the spring, they’ll be telling me they don’t want me to come back and I’ll be on the first tee then anyway.”
Gregory out of work: Former KU guard Kenny Gregory has been cut by the Mobile Revelers of the new National Basketball Developmental League. The final cut was between Gregory and Mobile native Jason McCutcheon who played at South Alabama and Nicholls State. Gregory could be a prime candidate to join the ABA’s Kansas City Knights since most overseas rosters are filled. Ex-Jayhawk Eric Chenowith survived final cuts of the Greenville, N.C. Groove.
Kansas basketball coach Roy Williams wanted to corral two big guys and a swing man during the November signing period.
He was two-thirds successful, on Thursday receiving national letters-of-intent from Jeff Graves, a 6-foot-9, 255-pound sophomore from Iowa Western Community College and Moulaye Niang, a 6-9, 205 senior from Christian High in El Cajon, Calif.
KU’s coach will keep looking for the elusive small forward second semester.
“I feel very good about both those kids. We could use both of them now with Wayne out,” said Williams, referring to power forward Wayne Simien, who will miss two to four weeks following arthroscopic knee surgery.
“Jeff is one of those late bloomers you’ve heard me say I enjoy having on our team. They have not been pampered quite as much as the best players in the universe as eighth, ninth and 10th graders. Jeff is powerful and can take up space inside. Along with that he has a very good touch. He is a bright young man.
“I saw him practice once this year and he took three charges (on defense). I like that part of it. He has great hands and really good feet for somebody that size,” he added of Graves, who picked KU over Illinois, Missouri, Louisville, Long Beach State and others after averaging 12 points and 10 rebounds last season.
A native of Senegal, Niang averaged 12 points and 10 boards his junior year at Christian High. He chose KU over San Diego State, Connecticut and others.
“Moulaye is a youngster everybody fell in love with when he was here on his visit,” Williams said. “His upside is considerable. He’s another guy who has not played a lot of basketball. He is a fantastic athlete with long arms. He can block shots. He’s a great kid with a big-time smile.
“Right now his defensive play is ahead of his offensive game. I think he’ll fit in and represent the university well and help us win some games, too.”
Williams said assistant Neil Dougherty discovered Niang at a prep tournament on the West coast.
“He saw this 6-9 athlete who would be able to guard guys on the perimeter who had great feet. He told me I should watch him,” Williams said. “I watched him when I was going to another tournament and saw him at an individual workout at the high school, too.
“Jeff I last saw when he was an 11-year-old kid at our basketball camp. I missed him until last summer when I saw him at a junior college all-star game (in Oklahoma). Mark Turgeon (Wichita State coach) had seen him the night before and liked him,” he added of Graves, who attended Lee’s Summit, Mo. High.
Williams lost out on several players in recruiting, including swing players Hassan Adams (Arizona) and Andre Iguodala (Arkansas).
“It was a hard year for us,” Williams said. “It’s never been easy but it has been a hard year. I sort of thought we’d get one perimeter player by this time. It also didn’t work out that way.
“I’ve very very pleased with the two post players we felt we had to have. It was our primary need, but by now we wanted a perimeter player as well. We’ll still recruit as long as we can.”
Next recruiting period is in April.
“It’s always a better scenario to finish in the fall then start working next year’s class,” Williams said. “We’re not going to be able to do that this year.”
Pronunciation guide How does one pronounce Moulaye Niang? It’s “Moo-lie Nang,” which rhymes with fang.
Early wake-up call: KU’s players and coaches were to board a bus at 4:45 a.m. this morning for KC International and a long day of travel to Maui, site of the Maui Invitational. KU will fly American Airlines from Kansas City to Dallas and Dallas to Honolulu, then Honolulu to Maui. The Jayhawks will practice Saturday and Sunday in Maui (the team is to arrive in Maui at about 8 p.m. Central time tonight) and play Ball State at 3:30 p.m. CST on Monday.
Coach’s contract: Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski signed what’s billed as a lifetime contract on Wednesday.
“He has a nice deal, deservedly so,” Williams said. “What he’s accomplished has been unbelievable.”
Does Williams like lifetime deals?”
“I guess so,” he said, laughing. “I’ve been very fortunate here. Everybody knows I have a five-year rollover contract. I signed it in 1990 and have not asked to have any of it changed since 1990. As far as I’m concerned I have a lifetime contract. The year they decide not to add a year in the spring, they’ll be telling me they don’t want me to come back and I’ll be on the first tee then anyway.”
Gregory out of work: Former KU guard Kenny Gregory has been cut by the Mobile Revelers of the new National Basketball Developmental League. The final cut was between Gregory and Mobile native Jason McCutcheon who played at South Alabama and Nicholls State. Gregory could be a prime candidate to join the ABA’s Kansas City Knights since most overseas rosters are filled. Ex-Jayhawk Eric Chenowith survived final cuts of the Greenville, N.C. Groove.
Kansas basketball coach Roy Williams wanted to corral two big guys and a swing man during the November signing period.
He was two-thirds successful, on Thursday receiving national letters-of-intent from Jeff Graves, a 6-foot-9, 255-pound sophomore from Iowa Western Community College and Moulaye Niang, a 6-9, 205 senior from Christian High in El Cajon, Calif.
KU’s coach will keep looking for the elusive small forward second semester.
“I feel very good about both those kids. We could use both of them now with Wayne out,” said Williams, referring to power forward Wayne Simien, who will miss two to four weeks following arthroscopic knee surgery.
“Jeff is one of those late bloomers you’ve heard me say I enjoy having on our team. They have not been pampered quite as much as the best players in the universe as eighth, ninth and 10th graders. Jeff is powerful and can take up space inside. Along with that he has a very good touch. He is a bright young man.
“I saw him practice once this year and he took three charges (on defense). I like that part of it. He has great hands and really good feet for somebody that size,” he added of Graves, who picked KU over Illinois, Missouri, Louisville, Long Beach State and others after averaging 12 points and 10 rebounds last season.
A native of Senegal, Niang averaged 12 points and 10 boards his junior year at Christian High. He chose KU over San Diego State, Connecticut and others.
“Moulaye is a youngster everybody fell in love with when he was here on his visit,” Williams said. “His upside is considerable. He’s another guy who has not played a lot of basketball. He is a fantastic athlete with long arms. He can block shots. He’s a great kid with a big-time smile.
“Right now his defensive play is ahead of his offensive game. I think he’ll fit in and represent the university well and help us win some games, too.”
Williams said assistant Neil Dougherty discovered Niang at a prep tournament on the West coast.
“He saw this 6-9 athlete who would be able to guard guys on the perimeter who had great feet. He told me I should watch him,” Williams said. “I watched him when I was going to another tournament and saw him at an individual workout at the high school, too.
“Jeff I last saw when he was an 11-year-old kid at our basketball camp. I missed him until last summer when I saw him at a junior college all-star game (in Oklahoma). Mark Turgeon (Wichita State coach) had seen him the night before and liked him,” he added of Graves, who attended Lee’s Summit, Mo. High.
Williams lost out on several players in recruiting, including swing players Hassan Adams (Arizona) and Andre Iguodala (Arkansas).
“It was a hard year for us,” Williams said. “It’s never been easy but it has been a hard year. I sort of thought we’d get one perimeter player by this time. It also didn’t work out that way.
“I’ve very very pleased with the two post players we felt we had to have. It was our primary need, but by now we wanted a perimeter player as well. We’ll still recruit as long as we can.”
Next recruiting period is in April.
“It’s always a better scenario to finish in the fall then start working next year’s class,” Williams said. “We’re not going to be able to do that this year.”
Pronunciation guide How does one pronounce Moulaye Niang? It’s “Moo-lie Nang,” which rhymes with fang.
Early wake-up call: KU’s players and coaches were to board a bus at 4:45 a.m. this morning for KC International and a long day of travel to Maui, site of the Maui Invitational. KU will fly American Airlines from Kansas City to Dallas and Dallas to Honolulu, then Honolulu to Maui. The Jayhawks will practice Saturday and Sunday in Maui (the team is to arrive in Maui at about 8 p.m. Central time tonight) and play Ball State at 3:30 p.m. CST on Monday.
Coach’s contract: Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski signed what’s billed as a lifetime contract on Wednesday.
“He has a nice deal, deservedly so,” Williams said. “What he’s accomplished has been unbelievable.”
Does Williams like lifetime deals?”
“I guess so,” he said, laughing. “I’ve been very fortunate here. Everybody knows I have a five-year rollover contract. I signed it in 1990 and have not asked to have any of it changed since 1990. As far as I’m concerned I have a lifetime contract. The year they decide not to add a year in the spring, they’ll be telling me they don’t want me to come back and I’ll be on the first tee then anyway.”
Gregory out of work: Former KU guard Kenny Gregory has been cut by the Mobile Revelers of the new National Basketball Developmental League. The final cut was between Gregory and Mobile native Jason McCutcheon who played at South Alabama and Nicholls State. Gregory could be a prime candidate to join the ABA’s Kansas City Knights since most overseas rosters are filled. Ex-Jayhawk Eric Chenowith survived final cuts of the Greenville, N.C. Groove.
Kansas basketball coach Roy Williams wanted to corral two big guys and a swing man during the November signing period.
He was two-thirds successful, on Thursday receiving national letters-of-intent from Jeff Graves, a 6-foot-9, 255-pound sophomore from Iowa Western Community College and Moulaye Niang, a 6-9, 205 senior from Christian High in El Cajon, Calif.
KU’s coach will keep looking for the elusive small forward second semester.
“I feel very good about both those kids. We could use both of them now with Wayne out,” said Williams, referring to power forward Wayne Simien, who will miss two to four weeks following arthroscopic knee surgery.
“Jeff is one of those late bloomers you’ve heard me say I enjoy having on our team. They have not been pampered quite as much as the best players in the universe as eighth, ninth and 10th graders. Jeff is powerful and can take up space inside. Along with that he has a very good touch. He is a bright young man.
“I saw him practice once this year and he took three charges (on defense). I like that part of it. He has great hands and really good feet for somebody that size,” he added of Graves, who picked KU over Illinois, Missouri, Louisville, Long Beach State and others after averaging 12 points and 10 rebounds last season.
A native of Senegal, Niang averaged 12 points and 10 boards his junior year at Christian High. He chose KU over San Diego State, Connecticut and others.
“Moulaye is a youngster everybody fell in love with when he was here on his visit,” Williams said. “His upside is considerable. He’s another guy who has not played a lot of basketball. He is a fantastic athlete with long arms. He can block shots. He’s a great kid with a big-time smile.
“Right now his defensive play is ahead of his offensive game. I think he’ll fit in and represent the university well and help us win some games, too.”
Williams said assistant Neil Dougherty discovered Niang at a prep tournament on the West coast.
“He saw this 6-9 athlete who would be able to guard guys on the perimeter who had great feet. He told me I should watch him,” Williams said. “I watched him when I was going to another tournament and saw him at an individual workout at the high school, too.
“Jeff I last saw when he was an 11-year-old kid at our basketball camp. I missed him until last summer when I saw him at a junior college all-star game (in Oklahoma). Mark Turgeon (Wichita State coach) had seen him the night before and liked him,” he added of Graves, who attended Lee’s Summit, Mo. High.
Williams lost out on several players in recruiting, including swing players Hassan Adams (Arizona) and Andre Iguodala (Arkansas).
“It was a hard year for us,” Williams said. “It’s never been easy but it has been a hard year. I sort of thought we’d get one perimeter player by this time. It also didn’t work out that way.
“I’ve very very pleased with the two post players we felt we had to have. It was our primary need, but by now we wanted a perimeter player as well. We’ll still recruit as long as we can.”
Next recruiting period is in April.
“It’s always a better scenario to finish in the fall then start working next year’s class,” Williams said. “We’re not going to be able to do that this year.”
Pronunciation guide How does one pronounce Moulaye Niang? It’s “Moo-lie Nang,” which rhymes with fang.
Early wake-up call: KU’s players and coaches were to board a bus at 4:45 a.m. this morning for KC International and a long day of travel to Maui, site of the Maui Invitational. KU will fly American Airlines from Kansas City to Dallas and Dallas to Honolulu, then Honolulu to Maui. The Jayhawks will practice Saturday and Sunday in Maui (the team is to arrive in Maui at about 8 p.m. Central time tonight) and play Ball State at 3:30 p.m. CST on Monday.
Coach’s contract: Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski signed what’s billed as a lifetime contract on Wednesday.
“He has a nice deal, deservedly so,” Williams said. “What he’s accomplished has been unbelievable.”
Does Williams like lifetime deals?”
“I guess so,” he said, laughing. “I’ve been very fortunate here. Everybody knows I have a five-year rollover contract. I signed it in 1990 and have not asked to have any of it changed since 1990. As far as I’m concerned I have a lifetime contract. The year they decide not to add a year in the spring, they’ll be telling me they don’t want me to come back and I’ll be on the first tee then anyway.”
Gregory out of work: Former KU guard Kenny Gregory has been cut by the Mobile Revelers of the new National Basketball Developmental League. The final cut was between Gregory and Mobile native Jason McCutcheon who played at South Alabama and Nicholls State. Gregory could be a prime candidate to join the ABA’s Kansas City Knights since most overseas rosters are filled. Ex-Jayhawk Eric Chenowith survived final cuts of the Greenville, N.C. Groove.
