The NCAA and basketball world is in for quite a treat. With news that Josh Selby, the #1 rated HS recruit in the 2010 Class as ranked by Rivals has finally been cleared to suit up for the Kansas Jayhawks, college basketball fans across the nation are ecstatic at being able to bear witness to arguably the most explosive player in the entire freshman class, and quite possibly in the entire NCAA.
After the NCAA’s disappointing decision last week in ruling fellow elite level freshman Enes Kantner permanently ineligible at Kentucky, everyone at the University of Kansas was holding their breath concerning the final word that was to be handed down as punishment to their own top recruit, Selby.
The final ruling turned out to be much less harsh than expected since Selby was given the green light to play for the Jayhawks this season, but only after sitting out 9 games and paying a hefty fine, reportedly anywhere between $4,000 and $6,000. The NCAA apparently had a problem with Selby’s longtime association with Robert Frazier, who is Carmelo Anthony’s business manager and fellow Baltimore native. Selby’s family had always maintained that Frazier was merely an advisor, but the NCAA deamed otherwise.
He will be eligible to make his NCAA debut on December 18th against USC. Even though coach Self has commented that the Kansas is a far better team with Selby, the Jayhawks haven’t missed a beat getting off to a 3-0 start, besting North Texas by 33 points last Friday, and tying a school record by extending their home winning streak to 62 games.
At 6’3 and 185 pounds, Josh is a bulldog on both the offensive and defensive ends of the floor. He is a scoring machine of a combo guard in the mold of the Clippers’ Eric Gordon, but with a bigger chip on his shoulder. He’s as intense of a player you’ll find as if he has something to prove every time he steps on the floor. He is one of the ’10 Class’ best creators, capable of getting separation to sink a sweet pull-up jumper or driving to the rack for a highlight reel dunk. Selby has proven to be at his best when on the biggest stage, as evidence of his winning the McDonald’s All American Dunk Contest and tallying 21 points and 7 assists in the Jordan Brand Classic.
With the high flying Selby, the Jayhawks may once again be a Final Four contender. When eligible he could push Brady Morningstar back to a 6th man role to form a very formidable starting backcourt alongside sophomore Tyshawn Taylor, who leads the team in assists(7 ast/gm). Of course, they will then have excellent depth behind them with Elijah Johnson (11.1 ppg), Tyrel Reed (9.7 ppg and 2 ast), and Travis Releford (5.3 ppg).
Take a look at what Kansas is getting by checking out Josh Selby’s 2010 Summer Mixtape:
Allen Moll has been a lifelong NBA and NCAA College Basketball fan who watches and studies games religiously, and coaches youth basketball in his native Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania. Allen also provides content to Bleacherreport.com, Upperdeckblog.com, in addition to being a tenured NBA and NCAA columnist for TheHoopDoctors.com.
