The Kansas men’s basketball team recently greeted a new group of players who arrived on campus over the weekend in preparation for the start of summer-school classes and team workouts on Monday. The arrival of seven newcomers was announced on social media by representatives of the KU basketball team, providing fans with a glimpse of the new talent joining the roster.
Zeke Mayo, AJ Storr, Rylan Griffen, Rakease Passmore, Flory Bidunga, Noah Shelby, and Will Thengvall all expressed their excitement upon arriving at McCarthy Hall and the Jayhawks’ practice gym. Each player shared their thoughts and aspirations about the upcoming season, offering fans a preview of what is to come.
Former South Dakota State player Zeke Mayo, now a 6-foot-4 senior combo guard out of Lawrence High, expressed his enthusiasm about joining KU. Mayo, who was the Summit League player of the year, discussed how his journey had led him back to KU, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to be a part of the team.
AJ Storr, a 6-7 junior guard who transferred to KU from Wisconsin, credited his mother for teaching him the game, as she had played basketball at Illinois Central College and the University of Missouri-St. Louis. Rylan Griffen, a 6-6 junior transfer guard from University of Alabama, shared his dream of playing for a university known for its commitment to basketball excellence.
Freshman guard Rakease Passmore, who comes from Combine Academy in North Carolina, talked about the hard work it took to get to where he is now and expressed his excitement about playing for KU. Similarly, Flory Bidunga, a 6-9 freshman post player from Kokomo High School, shared his simple yet powerful sentiment upon arrival: “Rock Chalk Jayhawk”.
Noah Shelby, a 6-3 junior point guard who played at Rice University last season, expressed eagerness for the opportunity to experience winning basketball at KU, while Will Thengvall, a 6-4 freshman walk-on guard from Wichita Kapaun Mt. Carmel, also shared his excitement about joining the team.
With the arrival of these new players, the team is preparing for a summer session centered on hard work, team building, and preparation for the upcoming season. In addition to the newcomers, several returning scholarship players and walk-ons will also be in attendance, making for a total of 17 players on campus for summer school.
As the Jayhawks gear up for the season ahead, fans are eagerly anticipating the impact that the new talent will bring to the team. The new arrivals, combined with the returning players, are setting the stage for an exciting and competitive season. With the start of summer classes just around the corner, the team is ready to hit the ground running and make the most of their time on campus.