Kansas freshmen prepared for first ‘Late Night’ experience

Imagine traveling halfway across the world and trying to explain Kansas’ annual Late Night in the Phog. OK, where to start? There are the ritualistic skits and dancing; the montage videos that play at fighter-jet decibel levels; and the 16,300 fans in blue, packing Allen Fieldhouse for what is ostensibly a lot of prepackaged entertainment and an informal basketball scrimmage.

Better yet, try explaining it to Kansas freshman Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk, a native of Ukraine who will experience his first ‘Late Night’ at 6:30 p.m. Friday at Allen Fieldhouse.

Suffice to say, there’s nothing quite like Late Night in his home country. So Mykhailiuk, a 6-foot-8 guard, spent some time on YouTube during the last few weeks, studying up on the Late Night traditions.

So when Mykhailiuk was asked what he was most excited about concerning Late Night, he had his answer ready.

“Dance,” Mykhailiuk said. “I will try.”

For Mykhailiuk and the rest of the KU freshmen, Friday night will be their first opportunity to step on the court in front of a crowded Allen Fieldhouse. Likewise, it will be the first chance for Kansas fans to see the program’s latest heralded recruiting class, including Mykhailiuk, power forward Cliff Alexander, wing Kelly Oubre Jr. and point guard Devonte’ Graham.

“It’s big from our players’ standpoint,” Kansas coach Bill Self said. “A lot of our players that we signed come to Late Night, and then that’s something that they always look forward to.”

The season-opening party also doubles as one of Kansas’ most important recruiting nights of the year. On Friday, the KU staff will play host to more than a dozen recruits over multiple high school classes. But there are a few that could be potential headliners in the Jayhawks’ 2015 class. Here are a few: Jaylen Brown, a 6-7 swingman from Marietta, Ga., is the nation’s No. 2 senior recruit, according to Rivals.com, while Stephen Zimmerman, a 7-foot center from Las Vegas, is also a consensus top-10 recruit. Both are slated to be on campus for a visit this weekend.

As will Tyler Dorsey, a 6-4 guard from Pasadena, Calif., and Brandon Ingram, a 6-8 swingman from Kinston, N.C. Meanwhile, Carlton Bragg, a 6-9 power forward from Cleveland, will be in Lawrence on an unofficial visit. All three players are potential top-20 recruits in the 2015 class.

Last year, KU athletics officials were forced to turn away fans after the building reached capacity before the event began. This year, KU officials say there will be an increased presence from Lawrence Public Safety and measures put in place to control the crowds. Doors are set to open at 3 p.m.

Earlier this week, Self said that KU was looking into ways to provide updates and highlights from the Royals’ opening game in the American League Championship Series, which begins Friday night in Baltimore.

“We look forward to it, and hopefully our fans will continue to support it,” Self said. “I know last year we had a few issues on getting people in and those issues have been resolved.”

This story was originally published October 9, 2014 at 11:15 PM with the headline "Kansas freshmen prepared for first ‘Late Night’ experience."