Former Kansas Jayhawks guard Devon Dotson stars in Roundball Classic victory
Former University of Kansas point guard Devon Dotson drilled three three-pointers and scored 13 points in the first five minutes of the 14th annual Rock Chalk Roundball Classic KU alumni basketball game on Thursday night in Free State High School’s gym.
“I came out firing,” said Dotson who spent most of last season, his second as a pro, playing for the Chicago Bulls G League team, the Windy City Bulls.
“Everybody was talking a little trash. Even my teammates were talking a little trash. I shut ‘em up a little bit,” the 6-foot-2 Chicago native added, smiling.
In all, Dotson hit five threes and scored 23 points for the KU Red team, which battled back from 23-point second half deficit to beat the KU Blue squad, 113-111, in an exhibition charity all-star game contested in the packed high school gym.
Former KU guard Wayne Selden, who started last season with the New York Knicks before heading overseas, scored 25 points, while former KU guard Svi Mykhailiuk of the Toronto Raptors contributed 17 for the winning Red team.
Also, former KU center Jeff Graves scored 17 points, including the game-winning inside shot off a rebound of a Sherron Collins miss with 1 second left.
“It was playful,” Dotson said of the game, which featured at least 10 shots from around halfcourt. “I thought it was going to get more competitive. It was all fun and games for a great cause (fundraiser for area families battling cancer). I enjoyed being back for it.”
Dotson, who turns 23 in August, said he and his agent are working to secure a spot for Dotson on an NBA summer league team this July. Dotson said he will not be playing for the Bulls’ summer league team.
Mykhailiuk, who celebrates his 25th birthday Friday, has another year remaining on his two-year, $3,607,937 contract with the Raptors.
“It was great to be out here with all the guys I played with,” Mykhailiuk said. “We were down 20 and had to start playing and make a comeback. It was fun to come back, see everybody and play for such a great cause.”
Mykhailiuk is from Ukraine, which was invaded by Russian forces in February and is fighting for its independence.
“They are great. I call them every day,” Mykhailiuk said, providing a quick update regarding his relatives back home.
Mykhailiuk’s former KU teammate, Devonté Graham of the New Orleans Pelicans, hit three three-pointers, good for nine points for the losing Blue team.
Mario Little led the way with 18 points, while Tyrel Reed had 17 points, Dedric Lawson and Cole Aldrich 14 apiece and Tyshawn Taylor 11 for the Blues.
Former KU center Udoka Azubuike was a coach for the winning Red team. Azubuike did not play because he’s rehabbing from surgery in late March to repair torn ligaments in his right ankle and foot.
“I’m still rehabbing,” he said. “I didn’t play, but I wanted to be here to be around the kids and help raise money for a good cause. I’m happy to be here.”
Azubuike, a 22-year-old center about to being his third year with the Utah Jazz, is from Nigeria. On May 27, his agency, Priority Sports, wrote on social media that Azubuike had become a citizen of the United States.
“I mean it was cool,” Azubuike said of the experience which included a ceremony with government officials held in Utah. “It’s a lot of work to do. I’ve been applying since I got in the league (2020-21 season).”
Some game highlights
Point guard Sherron Collins went 1-on-1 against his former KU teammate and good friend, Cole Aldrich, on a possession in the first half. Collins hit a step back three-pointer over the 7-footer. Collins finished with nine points; Aldrich 14. … Collins will be spending a lot of time in Free State’s gym in the future. He was named head coach of the Firebirds on Wednesday. ... Former KU guard Tyrel Reed went high to slam an alley-oop pass from former KU women’s guard Kylee Kopatich. … Wayne Selden fired a pass to himself off the backboard and completed a slam … Svi Mykhailiuk’s first shot attempt of the game was a lefthanded three. The righty shooter missed. … Former KU wing Ron Kellogg, 59, hit his only shot attempt — a three-pointer.
Unofficial scoring
Red 113, Blue 111
Totals did not match scoreboard
Red (113)
Wayne Selden 25 points, Devon Dotson 23, Jeff Graves 17, Svi Mykhailiuk 17, Elijah Johnson 10, Sherron Collins 9. Greg Ostertag 6, Brady Morningstar 2.
Blue (111)
Mario Little 18, Tyrel Reed 17, Cole Aldrich 14, Dedric Lawson 14, Tyshawn Taylor 11, K.J. Lawson 9, Devonte Graham 9, Kylee Kopatich 6, Christian Moody 4, Ron Kellogg 3, Theodore Brown (son of Terry Brown) 6.
This story was originally published June 10, 2022 at 8:23 AM.
