Self expects smooth transition for Selby

Kansas coach Bill Self said he expects a smooth transition for Josh Selby into the Jayhawks’ lineup when he makes his debut Dec. 18 against USC after a nine-game suspension.

Self said Sunday by phone that Selby hadn’t practiced the past 10 days because his 45-day window to practice during an appeal had recently run out. But now that a decision has been reached, he can rejoin the team on the court.

“We haven’t had someone of this impact join our team midstream before,’’ Self said. “Brandon Rush had torn his ACL, but he was already with us. What Josh can do for us is like Sherron Collins. He can get his own shot and turn bad offense into good. He’s one of those guys who can get his own shot.’’

The NCAA tagged a payment initially of $5,757.58 on Selby for impermissible benefits. But Kansas said the true amount is $4,607.58. Self said the discrepancy is because Selby had already repaid the disputed funds and provided the necessary receipts. Self said Kansas will take the money out of Selby’s scholarship check each month and then donate the money to a charity of his choice.

Selby, who is considered one of the top guards in the class of 2010, was held out because of his family’s relationship with Robert Frazier, the business manager for Denver Nuggets’ star Carmelo Anthony. The family claimed they had known each other since grade school. Yet, as Self said, impermissible benefits are a “black and white issue. If they are over $1,000, you’re going to have to deal with it.’’

Self said Tyshawn Taylor, Elijah Johnson and Brady Morningstar will continue to handle the lead guard responsibilities in Selby’s absence. He said the KU offense has always been predicated on whoever has the ball bringing it up the floor, so it won’t matter who in the trio has the ball. Self said he would assign one assistant coach to work with Selby in practice to ensure he is on the same page with everyone else.

He also noted that the players (Morningstar and Tyrel Reed) who will likely see their minutes decrease due to Selby’s return haven’t expressed any concern.

“There are no issues,’’ Self said. “They’ve all seen him play. He’s been here.’’

Self said having Selby miss four of a critical six-game stretch for the Jayhawks -- against Arizona in Las Vegas (Nov. 27), UCLA at home (Dec. 2), Memphis in New York (Dec. 7) and Colorado State in Kansas City (Dec. 11) -- won’t be easy. After the home game against the Trojans, the Jayhawks then go to Cal on Dec. 22. But Self said the play of the Morris twins (Marcus and Markieff are averaging a combined 33 points a game) has certainly helped jumpstart the Jayhawks.

“We’ve been good so far,’’ Self said of the 3-0 Jayhawks. “But this team can get a lot better.’’

Source: http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/18448/self-expects-smooth-transition-for-selby

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