Jalen Wilson on return to Kansas Jayhawks basketball lineup: ‘great to be back’
After serving a four-game suspension in response to his arrest on suspicion of DUI, Jalen Wilson said he was “thankful” to be back in Kansas’ men’s basketball rotation at the just-completed ESPN Events Invitational in Florida.
“It feels great to help my team. Helping the team get the win is always great for me,” Wilson, a 6-foot-8 sophomore small forward from Denton, Texas, said on the Jayhawk radio network after scoring seven points, grabbing five rebounds and dishing four assists in KU’s 71-59 first-round victory over North Texas on Thursday.
Wilson played 18 minutes in his first appearance of the season — a debut that came after he missed KU’s exhibition game against Emporia State as well as season opening victories over Michigan State, Tarleton State and Stony Brook.
“I love the game. I love my team. I felt I was letting them down, not being out there to help them,” Wilson said of not being able to play in games until he completed the penalty put into place by KU coach Bill Self.
“I did all I could being a cheerleader on and off the court. Now that I’m back I’m glad I can help the team on the court again.”
Wilson’s most productive game of the Jayhawks’ three contests in Florida was his first.
He scored one point on 0-of-4 shooting (0-for-3 from three; 1-of-4 from line) with two rebounds in 23 minutes in Friday’s 74-73 semifinal loss to Dayton. Next, he scored five points on 2-of-6 shooting (1-of-3 from line) with five rebounds in 12 minutes in Sunday’s 96-83 victory over Iona.
“Probably just my athleticism, speed, playmaking,” Wilson said, asked what he hopes to bring to the table. “I worked a lot this summer on making different reads. I know my team. I know how deep we are. Having someone to make plays for other people can be good. I’m focusing a lot on that.”
Wilson averaged 11.8 points and 7.9 rebounds a game in 2020-21, his redshirt freshman season at Kansas. So far this season he has 13 points in three games. He’s 5-of-14 from the field for 35.7% and has missed seven of 10 free throw attempts. He’s also 0-for-4 from three with 12 total rebounds, six assists and three turnovers.
“Coming off last year I always wanted to focus on rebounding this year, being able to get the rebound and get going, Wilson said. “Pushing it helps get transition points, getting pull-up jumpers from guys spotting up, bigs running the floor. There are a lot of different options when I do that. I know doing that I will help my team. Doing that will help get us going, playing (at a) fast pace.”
KU played three mid-majors at the tourney in Florida, defeating North Texas and Iona and losing to Dayton, the eventual champion.
“Seeing what we can improve on and seeing what we do best and what we can work on moving forward,” Wilson said of what KU can take learn from the early-season invitational.
Senior guard Ochai Agbaji, who scored 56 points and grabbed nine rebounds in three tournament games, believes Wilson will help the Jayhawks a lot as he did last season when he was a regular starter.
“I think Jalen brings more of that,” Agbaji said, referring to speed on the court. “Us playing in transition, getting out and running, whether off a rebound or a made basket, that’s the style we want to play and coach wants us to play. I’m excited he’s back. He’ll add more speed, rebounding, scoring. That’s really good for us.”
It is unknown whether Wilson eventually will move to the starting lineup or remain first sub off the bench. Self has been using up to 12 players a game.
“I think it’s early in the season. Coach is figuring which groups of players work with other players,” senior forward Mitch Lightfoot said. “Our bench knows we have to continue to do a better job. When we get out there, the lead has to grow.”
Of Wilson, guard Christian Braun (51 points, 20 rebounds, nine assists, seven turnovers in tourney) said: “It’s great to have him back. He does everything on the boards and pushing on the break. (He can) catch and shoot. We’re happy to have him with us. I know he was charged up to be able to play, to get a chance to be back on the court. We’re real excited for him.”
Self said: “He had a great offseason. I’m sure he will add some pace and ball movement. He’s a much better player than he was last year and last year at times he showed he could be the best player on the team. We’re excited to have him back.”
This story was originally published November 29, 2021 at 8:06 AM.
