Adam Zagoria covers basketball at all levels. He is the author of two books and an award-winning journalist whose articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Sports Illustrated, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide.
NEW YORK — Josh Selby ended the suspense Saturday night.
The 6-foot-3 Selby confirmed during the Jordan Brand Classic at Madison Square Garden what many had suspected.
“I’m gonna be a Kansas Jayhawk,” Selby, a senior from Baltimore (Md.) Lake Clifton High, told the crowd. “I think that’s the best place for me to mature and get to the next level.”
Selby averaged 32 points, 7 assists and 5 rebounds at Lake Clifton and won the slam dunk contest at the McDonald’s All-American Game.
The No. 2 point guard in the Class of 2010 according to Rivals, he chose Kansas over Kentucky, UConn, Arizona and Tennessee.
Selby said Kansas coach Bill Self was a major factor in his decision.
“He kind of reminds me of myself. His personality. He’s very outgoing. He’s a great coach and he’s gonna get the job done,” Selby said.
Selby will join a team that is losing Sherron Collins, Xavier Henry and Cole Aldrich to the NBA. He will be asked to step in and fill Collins’ scoring and play-making ability from the start.
Selby initially committed to Tennessee and then decommitted and opened it up.
Selby and his mother, Maeshon Witherspoon, remain close with Tennessee assistant Steve Forbes and The New York Times reported on Saturday that Selby’s last visit from a college coach came from Forbes, fueling speculation that he might land with the Vols after all.
Instead, he’s headed to to Kansas.
How long he remains, however, is another question.
Selby recently told a Kentucky newspaper, “Every player in every class wants to be one-and-done. And I can’t lie. I want to be one.”
One NBA scout predicts Selby could have a long and fruitful pro career.
“Josh has the physical tools and the talent to play 12 years in the league,” the scout said.
(Photo courtesy Danny Wild)
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Adam Zagoria is a Basketball Insider who covers basketball at all levels. A contributor to The New York Times and SportsNet New York (SNY), he is also the author of two books and is an award-winning journalist and filmmaker. His articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide. He also won an Emmy award for his work on the SNY mini-documentary on Syracuse guard Tyus Battle.
A veteran Ultimate Frisbee player, he has competed in numerous National and World Championships and, perhaps more importantly, his teams won the Westchester Summer League (WSL) championships in 2011 and 2013.
He lives in Manhattan with his wife and children.
NEW YORK — Josh Selby ended the suspense Saturday night.
The 6-foot-3 Selby confirmed during the Jordan Brand Classic at Madison Square Garden what many had suspected.
“I’m gonna be a Kansas Jayhawk,” Selby, a senior from Baltimore (Md.) Lake Clifton High, told the crowd. “I think that’s the best place for me to mature and get to the next level.”
Selby averaged 32 points, 7 assists and 5 rebounds at Lake Clifton and won the slam dunk contest at the McDonald’s All-American Game.
The No. 2 point guard in the Class of 2010 according to Rivals, he chose Kansas over Kentucky, UConn, Arizona and Tennessee.
Selby said Kansas coach Bill Self was a major factor in his decision.
“He kind of reminds me of myself. His personality. He’s very outgoing. He’s a great coach and he’s gonna get the job done,” Selby said.
Selby will join a team that is losing Sherron Collins, Xavier Henry and Cole Aldrich to the NBA. He will be asked to step in and fill Collins’ scoring and play-making ability from the start.
Selby initially committed to Tennessee and then decommitted and opened it up.
Selby and his mother, Maeshon Witherspoon, remain close with Tennessee assistant Steve Forbes and The New York Times reported on Saturday that Selby’s last visit from a college coach came from Forbes, fueling speculation that he might land with the Vols after all.
Instead, he’s headed to to Kansas.
How long he remains, however, is another question.
Selby recently told a Kentucky newspaper, “Every player in every class wants to be one-and-done. And I can’t lie. I want to be one.”
One NBA scout predicts Selby could have a long and fruitful pro career.
“Josh has the physical tools and the talent to play 12 years in the league,” the scout said.
(Photo courtesy Danny Wild)
RELATED CONTENT:
**Brandon Knight to Kentucky
**Michael Gilchrist to Kentucky
**Rosario to visit Florida
**Josh Selby still mulling college options
**Doron Lamb Says He’s Decided
**Terrences to announce together
**Calipari a factor for recruits
**Jordan Brand rosters
**Cory Joseph talks recruiting
**Kadeem Jack weighing options
**Gil Biruta waiting on Rutgers; Roberts likes St. Joe’s
Follow Adam Zagoria on Twitter.
