Where Kansas coach Bill Self stands on which player will redshirt this season
As the start of college basketball season approaches, sophomore guard Jamari McDowell has one last chance to make a lasting impression on Kansas coach Bill Self.
McDowell and freshman guard Rakease Passmore are the two most likely candidates to redshirt this season, should the Jayhawks choose to hold one additional player out of action.
Guard Elmarko Jackson (torn patellar tendon) will be a medical redshirt, while Rice transfer/walk-on Noah Shelby previously declared plans to redshirt.
Self previously stated the plan was for one more player to redshirt, which still appears to be the case as the Jayhawks host Washburn in an exhibition matchup on Tuesday at Allen Fieldhouse.
“We are studying that one and we will see how it goes tomorrow and then maybe until about Saturday or Sunday, then make some decisions,” Self said. “Right now, I still don’t know yet.”
In KU’s exhibition matchup vs. Arkansas, McDowell played 14 minutes. He scored two points on 1-for-2 shooting, grabbed four rebounds and had one assist.
Self repeatedly praised McDowell over the summer — he even said he had an advantage over high-profile transfers AJ Storr and Rylan Griffen after Late Night in the Phog.
“We’ll take it all the way to the start of the season and see what we think about that,” Self said after Late Night. “If (McDowell) is a major contributor, great. If he is a guy that plays spot minutes, like he did last year, personally I think he’s going to be too good a player to waste a year like that. We’ll just wait and see.”
McDowell brings that same level of confidence heading into the season. He previously told The Star he’d not even thought about redshirting and called himself a “Swiss army knife.”
Coming off the bench last season, he averaged 1.8 points in 7.2 minutes per game. Although he didn’t play much, he showed promise in brief moments.
The competition for KU’s last roster spot between Passmore and McDowell is fierce.
Passmore scored 11 points on 4-of-7 shooting vs. Arkansas. Self called him the best Jayhawk vs. the Razorbacks.
The two have different play styles. Passmore excels at driving to the basket and is extremely athletic. McDowell can guard multiple positions and is a better shooter.
No matter what happens with McDowell, Self likes what he’s seen.
“I think Jamari is a terrific blend guy,” Self said. “I think he can fit in and make the other guys on the team be better because he’s comfortable with what we are doing and he understands. He’s really improved a ton. He didn’t get a chance to do a lot the other night, but … he’s a winner first and foremost.
“We’ll just wait and see how it goes. A lot depends on other guys, too.
