ESPN reported on Wednesday that the Sacramento Kings would not extend a qualifying offer to former Kansas standout Ben McLemore, thus making the fourth-year pro an unrestricted free agent.
McLemore, who was back in Lawrence this summer to participate in Bill Self’s basketball camp games and the annual Rock Chalk Roundball Classic said he planned to lock himself in the gym this summer to put in the work necessary to take the next step in his pro career. Asked what would help him get there, McLemore said simply, “Opportunity. Being in the right situation and going out there and doing what I gotta do.”
With that situation no longer coming in Sacramento, McLemore is free to sign with any other NBA team.
During his first four seasons in Sacramento, McLemore averaged 9.4 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 25.5 minutes per game.
The former Jayhawk who was voted all-Big 12 during his lone season of eligibility at Kansas in 2012-13, wowed the crowd this summer with a game-high 32 points on several high-flying slam dunks at the Roundball Classic.
Speaking of Kings, Wednesday afternoon, from his Twitter account (@FrankMason0), former Kansas star Frank Mason III did something slightly out of character — promoted himself for an individual honor.
Chalk the move up to the influence of his new team, the Sacramento Kings, who drafted Mason No. 34 overall in last week’s NBA Draft.
A team-first player through and through, Mason, college basketball’s reigning national player of the year, is up for the honor of Male College Athlete of the Year at this year’s ESPY’s, which will take place at 7 p.m. July 12.
