Nephew of former Kansas great Scot Pollard to join KU program as a walk-on

The Kansas basketball program is returning to the well of Pollard.

Josh Pollard, the nephew of former KU center Scot Pollard, will join the program as a walk-on, Kansas coach Bill Self announced Wednesday. Pollard, a 6-foot-4 guard from Orem, Utah, arrives at Kansas after spending the last two years on a Mormon mission in Los Angeles.

“Josh comes from the Pollard family we all know and love and is going to be a walk-on for us,” Self said in a statement. “He was a good high school player and I told him he would definitely have the opportunity to work out with our team. We’re excited to have him.”

Scot Pollard carved out a terrific college career in the mid 1990s while assuming the role of quirky and workmanlike center for Roy Williams. Playing alongside teammates Jacque Vaughn, Raef LaFrentz and Paul Pierce, Pollard was a mainstay on some of Williams’ best teams, including an Elite Eight squad in 1996 and a 1997 Kansas team that spent most of the season ranked No. 1 before falling to eventual national champion Arizona in the Sweet 16.

Pollard then played 11 seasons in the NBA, including notable stints in Sacramento and Boston. He’s remained around the Kansas program in retirement, spending time in Lawrence and working on local television broadcasts of KU games.

Josh Pollard, meanwhile, led Orem High to its first 4A Utah state title in 2012, averaging 8.8 points and 6.2 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game. He will be classified as a freshman this upcoming season.

“We really don’t (know) at what level he will be a contributor but he’ll have an opportunity like everyone else,” Self said. “I’m looking forward to seeing how he reacts to guys that have been involved with our program the last couple of years. I know he’s excited to be a part of it.”

This story was originally published September 3, 2014 at 4:08 PM with the headline "Nephew of former Kansas great Scot Pollard to join KU program as a walk-on."