Former Arizona center Jeff Withey will transfer to Kansas.
The 7-feet, 225-pound Withey visited Kansas as a recruit but chose to play for Arizona and legendary coach Lute Olson instead. When Olson opted to retire in October, Withey decided to leave. He notified Kansas head coach Bill Self of his decision on Sunday but waited until after Arizona beat Kansas 84-67 to announce.
“I talked to my family, and we all sat down and looked at all the options,” Withey told the Kansas-City Star. “At the end of the day, we realized that Kansas is the best fit for me. I’ve been watching them on TV, and I just feel like I can come in and help them out next year. I can go into practice and play against Cole (Aldrich) and the (Morris) twins and help them out, and they’ll help me out. It’s a really good situation for me.”
Withey will begin taking classes in January but won’t be able to suit up until second semester next year, when he will be a redshirt freshman. Kansas also has recruits Elijah Johnson and Thomas Robinson coming in, putting the Jayhawks at 14 scholarships next year unless another player transfers or leaves the program.
That could have an impact on the recruitment of Brooklyn Lincoln star Lance Stephenson, who has been scouted by Self and his assistants several times already this year.
**Jeff Goodman has the updated transfer list on his blog and it includes Casiem Drummond to Marist from Villanova, Christian Morris from Rutgers to Norfolk State and Jamie Skeen from Wake Forest to VCU.
Rutgers is involved with two African players, Ibrahima Thomas, who’s leaving Oklahoma State, and Beas Hamga, who’s departing UNLV.
If you have any additional transfers or info, feel free to contact me at [email protected].