While most people expect that all-Pac-12 transfer Remy Martin will be handed the role of primary point guard at Kansas on Day 1, Kansas coach Bill Self said Tuesday that another Jayhawk is in the mix for major minutes at the position.
“Right now, I would say that Dajuan (Harris), if we were going to play tomorrow, (would) get the majority of the minutes just because he’s been around,” Self said of the third-year sophomore. “But that’s also with the understanding that Remy hadn’t been here.”
After committing to KU in May and then testing his status in the NBA’s pre-draft process, Remy Martin made his commitment to KU official in early July and then first reported to campus later that month.
He spent about a week getting used to his new home and bonding with teammates and then went home for the final two weeks of summer break before returning to KU in early August, when the rest of the team reported for workouts.
Not long after, the 6-foot guard from Arizona State suffered a sprained ankle and he’s been dealing with it ever since. The injury and the late arrival both have sliced into his ability to make an immediate impact with his new team.
“He wasn’t even healthy two of the weeks he was here and then he wasn’t here in the summer for the most part, only here for two practices in the summer,” Self said. “So he’s not at the same stage. So he’s comfort level away from (playing big minutes).”
Self added that either Harris or Remy Martin would start at point guard but also said he could see them both playing a lot together, too.
Asked specifically about the point guard position on this team, Self said those two, along with Drake transfer Joseph Yesufu and freshman Bobby Pettiford were the four players vying for the most minutes at the 1. But he added that those four were actually competing for playing time at two spots.
“There’s going to be more times this year where we play two of those four together,” Self said.
Injury update
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Self said Tuesday that senior forward David McCormack, who missed several weeks this offseason while recovering from foot surgery, and senior guard Remy Martin, who also has been hobbled of late, were both ready to go for this week’s practices and Friday’s Late Night.
Self said neither player was 100%, but both are expected to participate at Late Night. KU will host its first practice Wednesday and go again Friday morning sometime before jumping into its third practice on Sunday.
“(With Remy), it may not be for another week to 10 days,” Self said. “He’s kind of got a high ankle sprain, but he’s back participating, going through everything, so he’ll be able to go.”
Of McCormack’s status, Self said: “He’s been cleared by the staff and he’s practicing full speed. He’s ready to go. His timing’s not great yet, but it will be. It just takes time.”
