Kansas men’s basketball roster for 2015-16
No. 15 Carlton Bragg
Height: 6-9
Year: Freshman
Position: Forward
Hometown: Cleveland, Ohio
A McDonald’s All-American, Bragg is a versatile forward who can stretch a defense from 15 feet and use his athleticism to score inside. He projects as a member of the rotation, but his skill-set resembles that of senior starter Perry Ellis. Can Bragg and Ellis play together?
No. 13 Cheick Diallo
Height: 6-9
Year: Freshman
Position: Forward
Hometown: Kayes, Mali
The centerpiece of Kansas’ recruiting class, Diallo projected as the perfect antidote for a program in need of rim protection and an athletic presence inside. But as of Friday evening, Diallo had yet to be cleared by the NCAA Eligibility Center. Still a bit raw, Bill Self says Diallo could need some time to develop should he finally be cleared to play.
No. 34 Perry Ellis
Height: 6-8
Year: Senior
Position: Forward
Hometown: Wichita
An All-American candidate and a contender for Big 12 player of the year, Ellis can cap a decorated four-year career with a strong senior season. A versatile power forward, Ellis will try to improve on a junior season in which he averaged 13.8 points and 6.9 rebounds per game.
No. 4 Devonte’ Graham
Height: 6-2
Year: Sophomore
Position: Guard
Hometown: Raleigh, N.C.
After an injury-plagued freshman season, Graham will join the starting lineup as a sophomore, playing alongside Frank Mason and Wayne Selden in the backcourt. Graham is a more natural point guard than Mason, and his presence may allow Mason to take on a more prominent role as a scorer. Graham shot better than 40 percent from three as a freshman, but he took just 40 three-point attempts.
No. 14 Brannen Greene
Height: 6-7
Year: Junior
Position: Guard
Hometown: Juliette, Ga.
Instant offense off the bench, Greene was making three-pointers at a historic clip last season before cooling off during the season’s final weeks. Greene underwent major hip surgery in the offseason. He’s close to 100 percent now, but he missed one exhibition game when his hip locked up during pregame.
No. 33 Landen Lucas
Height: 6-10
Year: Junior
Position: Forward
Hometown: Portland, Ore.
A physical presence and rebounder, Lucas played more minutes last season after freshman Cliff Alexander was sidelined by an NCAA investigation. If Diallo is not cleared, Lucas’ importance could grow. A redshirt junior, Lucas will likely battle for minutes with senior Hunter Mickelson.
No. 0 Frank Mason
Height: 5-11
Year: Junior
Position: Guard
Hometown: Petersburg, Va.
An elite guard, Bill Self calls Mason the Jayhawks’ most valuable and important player. After a breakout season as a sophomore — Mason averaged 12.6 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.9 assists — the junior will try to cement his spot among the nation’s best guards. An excellent ball-handler and playmaker, Mason is also a solid rebounder for his size.
No. 42 Hunter Mickelson
Height: 6-10
Year: Junior
Position: Forward
Hometown: Jonesboro, Ark.
A former Arkansas transfer, Mickelson played sparingly as a junior. But a solid performance at the World University Games last summer could pave the way for more playing time. Mickelson is a solid shot-blocker and possesses good touch, but he’s not a natural scorer, either.
No. 10 Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk
Height: 6-8
Year: Sophomore
Position: Guard
Hometown: Cherkasy, Ukraine
Still just 18 years old, Mykhailiuk possesses high upside and a skill-set that has drawn attention from NBA scouts. For now, though, he will try to become a more consistent outside shooter. Mykhailiuk shot just 28 percent from three-point range as a freshman. This year, KU will count on him to make shots.
No. 1 Wayne Selden
Height: 6-5
Year: Junior
Position: Guard
Hometown: Roxbury, Mass.
A former McDonald’s All-American, few expected Selden to be at Kansas for three years. But after regressing statistically as a sophomore, Selden is trying to remake his game and rebuild his pro stock. As a sophomore, Selden was a solid three-point shooter, but he struggled to finish around the rim and was exposed defensively in an NCAA Tournament loss to Wichita State.
No. 31 Jamari Traylor
Height: 6-8
Year: Senior
Position: Forward
Hometown: Chicago
The senior member of the program, Traylor is a fifth-year senior who is the last remaining member of the team that went to the Final Four in 2012. Traylor wasn’t eligible that year, but he’s spent the last three seasons as an energy man off the bench. Traylor is at his best in small doses, providing toughness and hustle.
No. 2 Lagerald Vick
Height: 6-5
Year: Freshman
Position: Guard
Hometown: Memphis, Tenn.
An athletic and rangy wing from Memphis, Bill Self is in love with Vick’s defensive potential. His time may be down the road, though. In a crowded backcourt, Vick will have to wait his time.
Walk-ons
No. 5 Evan Manning, No. 11 Tyler Self, No. 21 Clay Young
Rustin Dodd: 816-234-4937, @rustindodd
This story was originally published November 13, 2015 at 9:15 PM with the headline "Kansas men’s basketball roster for 2015-16."