Nic Moore arrives as KU basketball team sets World University Games roster

SMU guard Nic Moore landed on the Kansas campus on Friday, joining the KU men’s basketball program in its preparation for the World University Games in Gwangju, South Korea.

Moore, who was added to the roster to bolster its backcourt depth, will play with Kansas as it represents the United States this summer before returning to SMU for his senior season. With Moore in Lawrence, Kansas on Friday officially set its 12-man roster for the international event.

“Practices have been good and with Nic in here today, we’ll have our full complement of guys,” Kansas coach Bill Self said. “I’m pleased. We’re experimenting on some different things and the guys are really trying hard, they’re jacked and going at it. It is very competitive.”

Kansas, which will play Team Canada in two exhibition games at the Sprint Center on June 23 and 26, is set to depart for Gwangju on June 28. The Jayhawks, representing the United States, will play five games in pool play, starting on July 3. If they finish in the top two of Pool D, they will advance to an eight-team medal round. If they fail to finish in the top two, they will fall into one of two eight-team consolation brackets, where they will be guaranteed three games.

“We have been so fortunate because we have been exposed to so many different things,” Self said of the trip to South Korea. “We’ve taken teams to Paris and Switzerland. We’ve gone to Canada a few times and traveled to exotic places through the years, but I do believe this will be the most educational trip because will see the culture and how people live and also hang out with other athletes in their same age group from all over the world.

“The guys are taking a class to become more familiar with South Korea and the culture and what to expect when they get there.”

In pool play, the United States will face Turkey, Serbia, Brazil, Chile and Switzerland. The Jayhawks will be without three potential regulars as well as incoming transfer Dwight Coleby, who is spending June competing for the Bahamas in an international event in the Caribbean. Sophomore guard Svi Mykhailiuk, a native of Ukraine, is not eligible to represent the United States. Junior wing Brannen Greene is recovering from offseason hip surgery. Incoming freshman big man Cheick Diallo, a native of Mali, is not eligible to play for the United States and is set to report to campus in July.

That leaves KU with the following roster for the games: Guards Frank Mason, Moore, Wayne Selden, Lagerald Vick, Devonte’ Graham, Evan Manning and Tyler Self; forwards Carlton Bragg, Jamari Traylor, Landen Lucas, Perry Ellis and Hunter Mickelson.

“This team is very similar to last year’s team from a depth standpoint,” Self said. “I think we’ve helped ourselves in some ways. Those young kids, having a year under their belt, will allow them to have their abilities shine more than what it was last year by being more comfortable. I think some guys are about ready to take off.”

Self added: “We are not the USA Basketball team, but we are representing the USA,” Self said. “I think they (the KU contingent) will get that vibe big time. It will be a situation the world will do everything they can to try and knock us off.”

Assistants Townsend and Roberts to remain in Lawrence

KU assistant coaches Kurtis Townsend and Norm Roberts were not listed as assistant coaches on the official team roster released by Kansas on Friday. KU video coordinator James Cox and director of student-athlete development Fred Quartlebaum were listed as assistants for the tournament.

Because July is prime recruiting season, Townsend and Roberts will likely miss the World University Games to attend Peach Jam, a prestigious Nike AAU event that begins July 8, as well as other AAU tournaments during that time.

Tickets still available for exhibitions

KU said Friday that tickets were still available for the exhibition games against Canada. The cost is $27 for the June 23 contest and $37 for the Friday, June 26 matchup. Two-game packages can be purchased for $50. According to KU officials, the upper bowl of the Sprint Center will likely be blocked off, leaving the capacity for the exhibitions at around 10,000.

This story was originally published June 12, 2015 at 5:23 PM with the headline "Nic Moore arrives as KU basketball team sets World University Games roster."