It was quite the scene on Tuesday night when Kansas University men’s basketball players took the court for their first practice in Korea and were surrounded by hundreds of students from Gwangju High School.
The Jayhawks practiced on the local court and the students watched from the stands, cheering on nearly every made basket, going wild on dunks, and even applauding Frank Mason III’s ball handling.
Pretty cool scene. Hundreds of high schoolers watch the Jayhawks in their first practice in Korea. #kubball pic.twitter.com/mEUNMLIXWW
— Bobby Nightengale (@nightengalejr) June 30, 2015
Before the Jayhawks took the court for the beginning of practice, coach Bill Self shot around and after missing his first few shots, he went on a little run of made baskets, much to the delight of the hometown crowd.
Most students left about 20 minutes into the practice, which started at 7 p.m. local time, but the ones that stayed were rewarded with selfies with any of the Team USA player they could stop.
Kansas coach Bill Self is greeted by Gwangju High School students before a Team USA practice Tuesday. #kubball, #lfk pic.twitter.com/y1LqnD9l4n
— Mike Yoder (@mikeyoderljw) June 30, 2015
Students weren’t the only ones who wanted to catch a glimpse of the Jayhawks. The shuttle driver for photographer Mike Yoder and myself asked me who the best players were so he could take pictures with his camera. A local Korean TV station also showed up, interviewing some of the students and capturing video of the practice.
Near the end of practice, security guards went into the upper deck to watch Team USA, giving hearty applauses when Wayne Selden Jr. and Mason drove past defenders for reverse layups.
The next practice is at 10 a.m. tomorrow, but alas, students will be in school and likely unable to attend.
