Andrew Moore of Impact Basketball Academy in Las Vegas says Kansas freshman Josh Selby has been highly impressive during his time there both as a player and a leader.
“In my opinion, he’s as good an athlete, scorer and competitor as a lot of the guys I saw [drafted] in the first round last year,” Moore said Thursday by phone.
“I think he’s going to surprise a lot of people. I haven’t looked at the [NBA Draft] board but I can’t imagine him going into a workout and getting beat by anybody. He’s so athletic and strong, I was really surprised.”
Moore has worked with Kevin Garnett, Danny Granger, Corey Maggette, Baron Davis, Al Harrington and Lance Stephenson.
Selby announced via Twitter earlier Thursday his intentions to go pro.
“I want to thank all the ku fans who supported me through everything and all the fans who doubting me,” Selby Tweeted Thursday. “I will miss the the fieldhouse.”
He added: “But it’s a new journey in my life now. I will not return to Kansas next year. Making my dream a reality. #NBAbaby.”
The 6-foot-3 Selby was the No. 1 prospect in the nation when Kansas coach Bill Self signed him last year. He was suspended the first nine games by the NCAA for amateurism violations and missed several more with a foot injury.
He averaged just 7.9 points while shooting 37 percent from the field.
Moore said he’s read negative things about Selby and his attitude on the Internet, but those accounts differ with the player he’s coached in Vegas.
“Basketball-wise, he can move his body and control his body at such a high rate of speed,” Moore said. “His attitude and all, he’s been awesome. For probably the youngest guy here, he’s as much of a leader as anyone. He’s a vocal leader, he’s sprinting, he’s going hard in drills. When I read that, people have a perception of him that he’s going to break.”
Also working out at Impact are Jordan Williams of Maryland, Jon Diebler of Ohio State, E’Twaun Moore of Purdue, Xavier Silas of Northern Illinois, Malcolm Lee of UCLA, Ibrahima Thomas of Cincinnati and Greedy Peterson, formerly of Providence
“As far as I know, they’ve all signed and everything,” Moore said.
(The AP contributed)
