“I’ve been here for so long and I feel like I really put a lot of time into what I do,” Vinson said. “So, for me, it couldn’t be a better ending as far as the (scholarship) situation goes.

“But the best part about it is the showing of confidence that coach (Bill Self) did. By giving me the scholarship I think it’s just another way for him to express how he feels maybe I can be this year.”

But as Self put it, Vinson wasn’t just “given” the scholarship.

“He earned it,” Self said. “It wasn’t a gift to him. He has earned that scholarship.”

Vinson is the second walk-on in two years to earn a scholarship under Self, the other being Asheville, N.C., native Christian Moody.

“When Steve told me about that I was so happy for him,” Moody said. “It’s an honor for me for coach to award me with one, and I know Steve just is incredibly thankful to coach for honoring him with that award. And it came at a great time for him to help him out, too.”

No doubt the scholarship will help him out after his recent engagement.

“Oh man, that’s a long story. You don’t have enough tape for that one,” Vinson said when asked about how he proposed. “I did my best to make it like you would see in a movie … but she said yes so it was good enough, I know that.”

The couple has May 19 set as the date to deliver their wedding vows.

“Right as school is getting out,” Vinson said. “We didn’t waste much time there.”

Vinson said his perfect ending to this journey would be having the ability to get time on the floor.

“I’ve had a great time while I’ve been here,” Vinson said. “But as far as success on the court with injuries and stuff, I think that I just really haven’t been given the opportunity to feel healthy to play, and I’m just looking to go out and have a lot of fun playing this year.”

And Self said Vinson could get that opportunity.

“He’s a natural leader,” KU’s coach said. “If he does better than the other players, he’ll play.”