Kansas Jayhawks Basketball

Michael Schachter, the lawyer representing Adidas executive James Gatto, told a jury in U.S. District Court that Kansas head coach Bill Self "requested" a $20,000 payment be made to the guardian of Jayhawks forward Silvio De Sousa in order for the apparel company to keep its sponsorship deal with the school.

"The evidence, I submit, shows that Kansas' head coach knew of and asked for a payment to be made to Silvio De Sousa's handler," Schachter said Thursday, according to ESPN.com's Mark Schlabach. "More than that, Coach Self requested just the kind of help that Mr. [T.J.] Gassnola arranged as a condition for Coach Self to permit Adidas to continue their sponsorship agreement with the University of Kansas."

Gatto is one of several high-profile figures who have been accused of funneling money to the families of recruits. The charges come after the FBI's years-long probe into corruption and bribery in college basketball. 

He is facing charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud. 

Gassnola, a former Adidas consultant, testified Monday that he did not believe Self or assistant Kurtis Townsend had any knowledge of the payments. He also testified that he facilitated an $89,000 payment to the mother of former Kansas recruit Billy Preston and $20,000 to De Sousa's guardian.

He also claimed that he facilitated payments to the families of former Arizona center Deandre Ayton, former NC State point guard Dennis Smith Jr. and former Louisville commit Brian Bowen. 

Gassnola has already pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and agreed to testify as part of his cooperation agreement. 

For his part, De Sousa told reporters last week he believes he will be eligible to play this season. 

"Well, I know I’m going to play this year," the sophomore said, according to the Kansas City Star's Gary Bedore. 

"Right now it's time to focus on what I have to do, no matter what, just work on my game, keep working."

Kansas Jayhawks men's basketball coach Bill Self was apparently aware of Adidas' role in the recruitment of Silvio De Sousa. 

According to Mark Schlabach of ESPN.com, text messages presented by defense attorneys during the trial of former Adidas executive James Gatto, former Adidas employee Merl Code and Christian Dawkins, a former runner for former NBA agent Andy Miller, revealed Self and assistant coach Kurt Townsend were aware former Adidas consultant T.J. Gassnola helped recruit De Sousa to the Jayhawks.

Despite the texts, Schlabach noted Gassnola testified he didn't think Self or Townsend knew he was involved in exchanging money to steer recruits toward Kansas, an Adidas-sponsored school.

De Sousa was a 4-star prospect and the No. 32 overall player in the class of 2017, per 247Sports' composite rankings.

Gassnola testified he agreed to provide De Sousa's guardian, Fenny Falmagne, $20,000 to help guide him to Kansas and "get out from under" a payment already in place to send the forward to Maryland. He also testified he paid $90,000 to Billy Preston's mother before he also ended up at Kansas.

Schlabach included a number of the text messages the defense attorneys presented in his report, including one from Townsend to Gassnola revealing Self talked to Falmagne.

Gassnola also texted the following to Self and admitted he was discussing former Arizona Wildcats big man DeAndre Ayton: "I promise you I got this. I have never let you down. Except Dyondre lol. We will get it right."

Schlabach also passed along the following exchange that occurred three days before Kansas announced its 12-year, $191 million extension with Adidas: 

"Self responded: 'I'm happy with Adidas. Just got to get a couple real guys.'

"Gassnola replied: 'In my mind, it's KU, bill self. Everyone else fall into line. Too [expletive] bad. That's what's right for Adidas basketball. And I know I am RIGHT. The more you win, have lottery pics [sic] and you happy. That's how it should work in my mind.'"

The FBI's investigation into corruption in college basketball and this trial has dominated headlines and featured a number of marquee names and players. NBA players such as Kyle Kuzma, Markelle Fultz, Ayton and Dennis Smith Jr. have been mentioned, as have schools such as Louisville, Kansas, Oregon, Arizona and North Carolina State.

The Jayhawks are college basketball royalty with 15 Final Four appearances and three national titles and are constantly a force on the recruiting trail.

De Sousa averaged 8.8 minutes, 4.0 points and 3.7 rebounds per game for the Jayhawks last season as they advanced to the Final Four.

The University of Kansas acknowledged it received a subpoena from the FBI as part of the FBI's ongoing investigation into alleged widespread corruption within college basketball.

On Tuesday, Pat Forde, Pete Thamel and Dan Wetzel of Yahoo Sports reported the school responded to an open records request by stating it's "cooperating with the government inquiry."

In addition, information about Jayhawks power forward Silvio De Sousa was sought as part of the FBI's subpoenas to the University of Maryland, per Yahoo Sports.

The investigation first entered the public spotlight in September when the FBI announced the arrest of 10 individuals, including four assistant coaches (Chuck Person, Lamont Evans, Tony Bland and Emanuel Richardson), as part of the alleged fraud and conspiracy, according to CNN's Shachar Peled.

Acting U.S. Attorney Joon H. Kim referred to it as the "dark underbelly of college basketball," while FBI New York Division Assistant Director Bill Sweeney further explained the case.

"All of those charged today contributed to a pay-to-play culture that has no business in college basketball," he said.

Yahoo Sports noted Kansas is considered a "flagship program" for Adidas, which has found itself at the center of the case after longtime executive Jim Gatto was among those previously charged.

Meanwhile, Jesse Newell and Gary Bedore of the Kansas City Star reported new Jayhawks athletic director Jeff Long received protection in case the school eventually was found to have committed NCAA violations stemming from the FBI probe, which has no timetable for completion.

If KU's football, volleyball, men's basketball or women's basketball programs receive punishment, Long's contract will automatically be extended for a time period "equal to the length of the penalties."

Lagerald Vick announced Friday that he will return to the Kansas Jayhawks for his senior season after withdrawing from the NBA draft and debating a transfer. 

"It was our understanding with Lagerald at the conclusion of the season that he would go pro," head coach Bill Self said in a statement. "After going through the process and looking at the variety of options, Lagerald felt it was in his best interest to return to Kansas for his senior year."

Vick, a former 4-star recruit, averaged 12.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 0.9 steals as a junior. 

"I honestly thought I played my last game at Kansas after the Final Four because, with my situation and my family's situation, I felt I needed to turn pro," Vick said Friday. "After seeing where I stand and meeting with Coach Self, I feel it is best to return to Kansas for my senior year. Coach tells me the team is working hard and looking good. I can't wait to get back to Lawrence and join them."

With Vick in tow, the Jayhawks will wield one of the deepest and most talented rosters in the country next season. 

Joining the rising senior will be brothers K.J. and Dedric Lawson, who transferred from Memphis, 5-star point guard Devon Dotson and 5-star combo-guard Quentin Grimes. 

Self will also have a couple seasoned staples in junior Udoka Azubukie and sophomore Silvio De Sousa at his disposal. 

Recruit information courtesy of 247Sports.com. 

Kansas Jayhawks head coach Bill Self addressed Silvio De Sousa's eligibility on Tuesday as questions continue to swirl regarding his status with the program amid the FBI's probe into corruption and bribery in college basketball. 

According to the Kansas City Star's Jesse Newell, Self said he believes De Sousa and Kansas are in a "good place" even though the FBI alleged his legal guardian, Fenny Falmagne, accepted payments to steer him toward Kansas. 

"All our guys were eligible last year, and we haven't heard anything that that was not the case still," Self said. "...I'm confident on (him being eligible), and I know Silvio is very confident on it.

Self added: "We don't have access to everything, but based on what we've been told right now, we're in a good place."

Falmagne, who has served as De Sousa's guardian since the former 4-star recruit arrived in the United States from Angola, has denied the FBI's allegations. 

"He did not take any money. We did not take any money," he said, per the Kansas City Star's Gary Bedore. "The kids and I never took money from anyone. This is bigger than basketball. These kids and I have sacrificed so much because we know this could change our countries and nation."

Earlier this month, De Sousa told Bedore he's not concerned about his standing with the school. 

"I am not really worried about it. I know I didn’t do anything so I don’t need to worry about it," De Sousa said. 

As a freshman, the IMG Academy product averaged 4.0 points and 3.7 rebounds in 8.8 minutes per game. 

Recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.com. 

Kansas center Udoka Azubuike is planning to withdraw from the 2018 NBA draft class. The post player announced on Wednesday that he will return to the Jayhawks for his junior season.

Jeff Goodman of ESPN initially reported the news.

Azubuike announced his intention to enter the draft last month, but he didn't hire an agent to maintain the option to continue his collegiate career.

The 18-year-old Nigeria native averaged 13.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.7 blocks while shooting a remarkable 77 percent from the field to lead all Division I players.

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Azubuike previously told Gary Bedore of the Kansas City Star he was hoping to receive a first-round guarantee in order to remain in the draft.

"Pretty much, I'm not in a hurry," he said. "If it is going to take me another year or whatnot, according to what the NBA says, (then) I'm going to go by what the NBA says."

Azubuike's return bolsters an already strong Kansas roster for 2018-19. Bleacher Report's Kerry Miller ranked the Jayhawks second last month in an initial ranking for next season.

A strong campaign should put him in position to land in Round 1 of the 2019 draft.

University of Kansas junior guard Lagerald Vick announced on Friday he's decided to declare for the 2018 NBA draft without hiring an agent. 

The decision to test the draft waters without representation means Vick has until May 30 to back out of the draft class and return to the Jayhawks for his senior season. Kansas Basketball provided his full statement:

The 6'5", 195-pounder enjoyed a breakout 2017-18 campaign, averaging 12.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 39 appearances, 35 of which were starts. He shot 48.8 percent from the field and 37.3 percent from three-point range.

Kansas head coach Bill Self said he encouraged the guard to explore his potential options at the next level, per Matt Galloway of the Topeka Capital-Journal.

"I believe the time is right for him to move on, explore his options as a professional and see what develops," Self said.

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In January 2017, Laura Bauer and Jesse Newell of the Kansas City Star reported an investigation by the school determined Vick "likely hit a female student multiple times in late 2015." While it recommended two years of probation, it's unclear whether the punishment was enforced.

Vick wasn't charged with a crime.

He projects as a potential second-round pick if he stays in the 2018 class. He could improve that stock with a strong showing during the draft process.

Kansas guard Malik Newman will try to capitalize on an impressive end to the season by declaring for the 2018 NBA draft, per Matt Tait of KUSports.com.

"My two years here was everything that I asked for," Newman said, per Tait. "My redshirt year, I had a chance to develop and Coach [Bill] Self took me under his wing and really prepared me. This year, I had a chance to come out and play and this was the plan, to try to put myself in position to chase my dream."

He plans to sign with an agent, which would officially end his college career with two years of eligibility remaining. Newman spent his freshman year at Mississippi State before transferring to Kansas.

Newman averaged 14.2 points per game this season with the Jayhawks but was red-hot in the postseason. The guard scored 24.0 points per contest to lead the team to a Big 12 tournament title, while his 21.6 PPG in the NCAA tournament was a big reason Kansas reached the Final Four.

He scored 32 points against Duke in the Elite Eight, including all 13 of Kansas' points in overtime.

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Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman didn't have Newman in his top 50 draft prospects entering March, but Jeff Goodman of ESPN noted the impact he made over the past month:

The 2015 McDonald's All-American struggled as a freshman at Mississippi State while averaging 11.3 points. He transferred to Kansas and redshirted last season before showcasing the talent many noted coming out of high school.

At 6'3" with good athleticism and an outstanding outside shot (41.5 percent from three-point range last season), he can be a valuable addition to an NBA team.

For Kansas, though, this represents a major loss. Myron Medcalf of ESPN.com listed the Jayhawks as the top team in his 2018-19 rankings with Newman potentially a preseason All-American.

Their top two scorers, Devonte' Graham and Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk, are graduating, so the Jayhawks have a lot of production to replace heading into next season.

The Kansas Jayhawks were steamrolled 95-79 by the Villanova Wildcats in Saturday's Final Four loss, but at least their fans looking for an escape from the game had an amusing Twitter profile to turn toward.

The Lawrence Police Department of Kansas tweeted through much of the game and was initially optimistic despite the Jayhawks' 47-32 halftime deficit:

An order from the Lawrence Police Department- Everybody change your shirt at halftime. The one you're wearing isn't lucky.

— Lawrence Police (@LawrenceKS_PD) April 1, 2018

However, it became clear Kansas was facing a buzz saw in San Antonio, as the Wildcats drilled 18 three-pointers and clinched their spot in Monday's championship game against the Michigan Wolverines.

The loss prompted a number of entertaining tweets from the Lawrence Police Department:

It even poked fun at the Jayhawks' rivals while offering appreciation:

Kansas' season didn't end with a national title, but it did win the Big 12 regular-season and tournament championships while reaching the Final Four and a third straight Elite Eight.

There was still plenty to high-five about with the Lawrence Police Department.

In a first half the Villanova Wildcats dominated, Kansas Jayhawks sophomore center Udoka Azubuike still managed to provide a memorable highlight during Saturday's Final Four clash at the Alamodome.

With Kansas trailing 34-20, Azubuike threw down a thunderous dunk over Nova freshman forward Dhamir Cosby-Roundtree to cut the deficit to 12 just six minutes ahead of halftime:

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Even so, Villanova entered the locker room with a 47-32 advantage.

Azubuike finished the first half with four points on 2-of-4 shooting to go along with three rebounds.

The winner of Saturday's game will go on to face No. 3 Michigan in Monday's National Championship Game after the Wolverines beat the Loyola-Chicago Ramblers 69-57.