Kansas coach Bill Self has announced that forward Hunter Mickelson (6-foot-10, 245 pounds), has signed a grant-in-aid agreement to play men’s basketball at KU. A transfer from the University of Arkansas, Mickelson will sit out the 2013-14 season and will have two years eligibility at Kansas.

“Hunter is a young man that we recruited out of high school, offered a scholarship and he chose to stay close to home,” Self said. “He decided after two years at Arkansas that a change would do him good and we’re very excited about the change. He fits how we play. He’s long, very interchangeable and will be able to step away from the basket and stretch it. Defensively, he is a presence because he’s a shot blocker.”

Mickelson started 20 of 31 games played for Arkansas (19-12) in 2012-13, averaged 5.5 points and 3.5 rebounds per game and led the Razorbacks with 39 blocked shots. The Jonesboro, Ark., native scored a career-high 16 points against Robert Morris (12/20/12) and grabbed a career-best 13 rebounds against Northwestern State (12/29/12).

Mickelson set the school freshman record with 72 blocks in leading the Razorbacks with 2.3 blocks per contest. Included was a seven-block game against LSU (1/14/12), tying the Arkansas SEC record for blocked shots in a game. Mickelson averaged 5.2 points and 3.7 rebounds in 2011-12 for Arkansas.

For his career, Mickelson started 25 of his 64 games played and averaged 5.3 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game in his two seasons at Arkansas.

“I think the redshirt year will be great for him,” Self said. “It will give him the opportunity to get stronger, get confidence and get his game to the point where he can be a serious impact player for us the following year.”

— KU Sports Information —

University of Kansas head football coach Charlie Weis announced Monday morning that senior tight end Nick Sizemore has been suspended for the first three games of the 2013 season for a violation of team rules.

“As I have previously stated, every player on our team knows and understands our rules and regulations,” said Weis. “They also know the consequences for violations.”

— KU Sports Information —

Kansas redshirt freshman guard Ben McLemore declared for the NBA Draft at a press conference in Allen Fieldhouse Tuesday afternoon.

“I want to thank my teammates a lot for supporting me and always pushing me each and every day at practice,” McLemore said. “I love those guys. It was great playing with those guys. I want to thank my family and the coaching staff, too, but most of all I want to thank the KU fans. Without the KU fans, Kansas wouldn’t be like this. The KU fans are great and I’d like to thank them a lot for cheering me on and cheering this whole program on. I love that about Kansas. That’s the reason I came here.”

A Consensus All-America Second Team selection and All-Big 12 First Team honoree, McLemore led Kansas in scoring in 2012-13 with 15.9 points per game, which ranked third in the Big 12. The 6-foot-5 St. Louis, Mo., native led the Big 12 with an 87.0 free throw percentage and also ranked among the league leaders in field goal percentage (eighth at 49.5), three-point field goal percentage (second at 42.0), three-point field goals made (sixth at 2.0) and rebounds (20th at 5.2).

McLemore’s 15.9 points per game this season broke the KU freshman record of 14.6 ppg posted by Jayhawk legend Danny Manning in 1985. McLemore’s 589 points and his 87.0 free throw percentage also broke KU freshman marks.

During the 2012-13 season, McLemore was a three-time Big 12 Rookie of the Week and one-time league player of the week. He became only the second Jayhawk in the 17-year history of the Big 12 to have earned Big 12 Player and Rookie of the Week in the same season. Mario Chalmers also accomplished the feat during the 2005-06 season.

McLemore had 11 games of 20 points or more in 2012-13, including three 30-point contests. His 36 points against West Virginia (3/2) broke the KU freshman single-game scoring record and his three 30-point efforts also set a KU freshman single-season mark.

— KU Sports Information —

Kansas senior center has been named the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Co-Defensive Player of the Year, announced on Sunday, April 7, at the 2013 AT&T/NABC Guardians of the Game Awards Show in Atlanta. He shares the honor with Indiana junior guard Victor Oladipo.

The Most Outstanding Player of the 2013 Big 12 Championship, Withey led Kansas in rebounding at 8.5 boards per game to complement his 13.7 scoring average. The 7-foot San Diego native broke his own Kansas and Big 12 single-season record blocked shots record with 146 blocks in 2012-13. Last season Withey blocked 140 shots to set the school and league mark.

The 2012 and 2013 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, Withey is also the KU and Big 12 career blocked shots leader ending his career with 312 all-time blocks. A three-time Big 12 Player of the Week this season, Withey led the Big 12 with 3.95 blocked shots per game, which ranks second nationally, and set the KU and conference per game average season record. Last week Withey was named Consensus All-America Second Team along with KU redshirt freshman guard Ben McLemore.

— KU Sports Information —

Kansas redshirt freshman guard Ben McLemore and senior center Jeff Withey have been named to the Associated Press All-America Team announced Monday.

Three teams of five were named plus an honorable mention list by Associated Press (AP). McLemore was named to the AP Second Team, while Withey was a third-team selection by the 65-member media panel which votes on the All-America teams.

An All-Big 12 First Team selection, McLemore led Kansas in scoring in 2012-13 at 15.9 points per game, which broke the KU freshman record of 14.6 ppg average by Jayhawk legend Danny Manning in 1985. A 6-foot-5 St. Louis, Mo., native, McLemore’s 589 points and his 87.0 free throw percentage also broke KU freshman marks. During the 2012-13 season, McLemore was a three-time Big 12 Rookie of the Week and one-time league player of the week this season and had 10 games of 20 points or more, including three 30-point efforts. His 36-point effort against West Virginia (3/2) broke the KU freshman single-game scoring record.

Named the Most Outstanding Player of the 2013 Big 12 Championship, Withey led Kansas in rebounding at 8.5 boards per game to complement his 13.7 scoring average. The 7-foot San Diego native broke his own Kansas and Big 12 single-season record blocked shots record with 146 blocks in 2012-13. Last season Withey blocked 140 shots to set the school and league mark. The 2012 and 2013 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, Withey is also the KU and Big 12 career blocked shots leader ending his career with 312 all-time blocks. A three-time Big 12 Player of the Week this season, Withey led the Big 12 with 3.95 blocked shots per game, which ranks second nationally, and set the KU and conference per game average season record.

— KU Sports Information —

Kansas redshirt freshman guard Ben McLemore was named to the 10-member John R. Wooden Award All-American Team announced Monday by the Los Angeles Athletic Club.

An All-Big 12 First Team selection, McLemore led Kansas in scoring in 2012-13 at 15.9 points per game, which broke the KU freshman record of 14.6 ppg average by Jayhawk legend Danny Manning in 1985. A 6-foot-5 St. Louis, Mo., native, McLemore’s 589 points and his 87.0 free throw percentage also broke KU freshman marks. During the 2012-13 season, McLemore was a three-time Big 12 Rookie of the Week and one-time league player of the week this season and had 10 games of 20 points or more, including three 30-point efforts. His 36-point effort against West Virginia (3/2) broke the KU freshman single-game scoring record.

Historically, this is the fourth-straight season and seventh time in the Bill Self era that a Jayhawk has been selected to the John R. Wooden Award All-American Team. McLemore marks the 13th overall KU player named to the team, which started in 1977. Manning was a two-time honoree in 1986 and 1988 and won the John R. Wooden Player of the Year Award in 1988.

— KU Sports Information —

Kansas football head coach Charlie Weis announced the signing of defensive back Brandon Hollomon Monday afternoon. Hollomon, who spent the 2012 season at Los Angeles’ Pierce College, is the 27th player to join the Jayhawks in their 2013 recruiting class.

Hollomon, who will be a sophomore in 2013, played in eight games for the Brahmas in 2012, helping Pierce to a 9-2 overall mark and a Patriotic Bowl title. He tallied 19 tackles, including 13 solo stops, on the season. He also recorded seven pass breakups, with three coming in the double-overtime Patriotic Bowl win over Mt. San Jacinto.

A native of Philadelphia, Pa., Hollomon attended West Catholic High School where he starred on both sides of the ball. He was a two-time all-state, all-city and all-catholic honoree after rushing for 2,985 yards and 33 touchdowns on 330 carries during his junior and senior seasons. Hollomon also caught 34 passes for 422 yards and three TDS on offense, while recording five interceptions on defense for West Catholic.

Hollomon, who is listed at 5-foot-10 and 170 pounds, is one of three players to sign with KU from Pierce, joining defensive lineman Marquel Combs and linebacker Marcus Jenkins-Moore. He is the fifth defensive back in the 2013 Kansas recruiting class and 19th junior college addition.

Kansas football will wrap up its 2013 spring season on Saturday, April 13 with its annual Spring Game. The game is scheduled for 1 p.m., in Memorial Stadium. KU will host its second annual “Train Like a Jayhawk” free kids clinic prior to the game. The one-hour clinic will take place from 10-11 a.m., on the KU football practice fields adjacent to Memorial Stadium on the southeast corner.

Following the clinic, the Hy-vee Hawkzone will be open from 11 a.m.-1 p.m., with the Spring Game kicking off at 1 p.m., at Memorial Stadium. The Hy-vee Hawkzone will also be located on the Kansas football practice fields.

— KU Sports Information —

Skylar Diggins was already having such a great day, her coach figured she might as well make it historic.

The Notre Dame point guard scored 22 of her 27 points by halftime Sunday and became the school’s career scoring leader, leading the top-seeded Fighting Irish to a 93-63 victory against Kansas in the semifinals of the Norfolk Regional.

Notre Dame will play No. 2 seed Duke on Tuesday for a berth in the Final Four.

Coach Muffet McGraw had forgotten all about Diggins’ pursuit of the school scoring mark until the game was well in hand. When she asked, she was told the senior was just two points away from passing assistant coach Beth Cunningham.

”I told her, ‘You’re coming out in 30 seconds. You might as well get one more,”’ McGraw said she told Diggins.

Moments later, with 7:48 to play, the lefthander in her trademark white headband swished a 12-foot jumper.

”Coach told me to score two more. I didn’t really know why, but I was like, ‘OK,”’ Diggins said.

It was that kind of the day for Diggins, who heard talk beforehand that the Norfolk Regional was full of great point guards, and quickly showed she might not have a peer, especially at this time of year with the stakes so high.

”We play in games that are so much like Sweet 16 or Elite Eight kind of caliber games in our conference,” she said. ”That helps all of us.”

So does having a leader that makes it all look so easy. Diggins added nine assists and three steals, scored nine straight during a 16-2 first-half run that put the Irish (34-1) ahead to stay, and six more to cap a 10-2 run into halftime.

”She’s what everyone says,” Kansas point guard Angel Goodrich, who finished with seven points and 13 assists, said. ”She’s the whole package. She can create for herself and she can create for her teammates.”

The victory was the 29th in a row for Notre Dame, and left the Irish one victory shy of a third consecutive trip to the Final Four. They have lost in the title game each of the last two years.

Carolyn Davis led the upstart Jayhawks (20-14) with 25 points on 11-for-17 shooting, but the second No. 12 seed ever to get this far in the women’s tournament since the seeding format began in 1994 didn’t stick around long.

Notre Dame led 40-27 at halftime and started the second half with a 22-9 run.

”We definitely let them play comfortable and confident,” Jayhawks coach Bonnie Henrickson said. ”I was disappointed our defensive effort wasn’t better.”

Goodrich’s head-to-head duel with Diggins never materialized. When Goodrich, like Diggins a senior, finally scored with 5:48 left in the first half, Diggins already had 16 points and her team was about to make another run before halftime.

It came in the final 4:30 of the half, a 10-2 burst capped by two 3-pointers by Diggins.

”When she starts hitting the 3, you’re in trouble,” McGraw said.

Natalie Achonwa added 17 points and 10 rebounds for Notre Dame, Jewell Loyd scored 15 and Kayla McBride 13 as the Fighting Irish shot 54.4 percent from the field, making 37 of 69 attempts.

Monica Engelman added 10 points for Kansas, but on just 4 of 16 shooting.

The Irish trailed 15-11 when Loyd made a 3-pointer with 14:37 to go and then Diggins took over. She hit a 16-footer, a 17-footer, a 3-pointer and then had a steal and layup, making it 23-15. After Davis’ stickback for the Jayhawks, Ariel Braker scored inside and Diggins did, too, posting up Goodrich.

The 16-2 run gave the Fighting Irish a 27-17 lead, and the spread stayed about the same until late in the half when Diggins hit a 3-pointer, then followed a turnover with another 3 from the right side.

— Associated Press —

Kansas redshirt freshman G Ben McLemore and senior C Jeff Withey were named to the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Division I All-America Team announced Thursday.

Selected and voted on by member coaches of the NABC, McLemore was a NABC All-America Second-Team selection, while Withey was a third-team honoree.

An All-Big 12 First Team selection, McLemore is Kansas’ leading scorer at 15.8 points per game, which leads the league’s freshman class and ranks third overall. McLemore, who was a three-time Big 12 Rookie of the Week and one-time league player of the week this season, has 10 games of 20 points or more, including three 30-point efforts. The 6-foot-5 St. Louis, Mo., native set the KU freshman scoring record, currently at 569 points. His 36-point effort against West Virginia (3/2) broke the KU freshman single-game scoring record. McLemore leads the Big 12 in free throw percentage at 87.0.

Named the Most Outstanding Player of the Big 12 Championship, Withey is averaging 16.5 points and 11.5 rebounds in Kansas’ two NCAA Tournament victories, including a 16-point, 16-rebound and five blocked shot effort in KU’s third-round win against North Carolina (3/24). The 7-foot San Diego native broke his own Kansas and Big 12 single-season record blocked shots record, currently at 141. Last season Withey blocked 140 shots to set the school and league mark. Withey is also the KU and Big 12 career blocked shots leader, currently at 306. Withey, who averages 13.8 points and 8.5 rebounds for KU, leads the Big 12 with 3.9 blocked shots per game which ranks second nationally.

Located in Kansas City, MO, the NABC was founded in 1927 by Phog Allen, the legendary basketball coach at the University of Kansas. Allen, a student of James Naismith, the inventor of basketball, organized coaches into this collective group to serve as Guardians of the Game. The NABC currently has nearly 5,000 members consisting primarily of university and college men’s basketball coaches. All members of the NABC are expected to uphold the core values of being a Guardian of the Game by bringing attention to the positive aspects of the sport of basketball and the role coaches play in the academic and athletic lives of today’s student-athletes. The four core values of being a Guardian of the Game are advocacy, leadership, service and education.

— KU Sports Information —

Senior Monica Engelman scored a career-high 27 points and Kansas became just the second No. 12 seed to advance to the round of 16 in the NCAA tournament with a 75-69 upset of fourth-seeded South Carolina on Monday night.

Angel Goodrich added 20 points for the Jayhawks (20-13), who joined San Francisco in 1996 as the only No. 12 seeds to follow up a win in the opening round with another in the second. No. 12 seeds are now 2-15 in the second round since the women’s field was expanded to 64 teams in 1994.

Fourth-seeded South Carolina (25-8) was denied in its quest for its 26th win, which would have been the program’s most since joining the Southeastern Conference in 1991-92.

Instead, it’s Kansas, which lost seven of its last 11 games before the tournament. The Jayhawks move on to Norfolk, Va., where they face the winner of Tuesday’s game between Notre Dame and Iowa in the regional semifinals Sunday.

Kansas, which has won four straight games at the Coors Events Center, is returning to the round of 16 after getting there last year as an 11 seed.

Ashley Bruner and Aleighsa Welch each scored 16 points for the Gamecocks.

Bruner’s bucket with 2:52 left tied it at 69, but South Carolina didn’t score again.

The Gamecocks came in allowing just 49.5 points a game and only four teams had reached 60 against them, but the Jayhawks made it five as the first meeting between the schools was an instant classic.

Goodrich’s four-point play capped a 9-2 run that gave the Jayhawks their biggest lead to that point at 59-52 with 12 1/2 minutes remaining.

The Gamecocks scored the next seven points to tie it up before Engelman sank a jumper and then a layup.

Kansas center Carolyn Davis limped off the court, favoring her left leg, after picking up her fourth foul with 6:40 left. A trainer took off her brace that protects the knee she injured last year, missing the NCAA tournament. Welch sank both free throws to tie it at 65.

It was 67-all when Davis returned with 3:50 remaining. She quickly denied Bruner’s jumper, and her bucket with 2:30 left put Kansas ahead for good at 71-69.

Chelsea Gardner’s free throw made it 72-69, and after several chances, the Gamecocks came up empty when Bruner missed two free throws with 1:17 left.

Iseasia Walker missed a 3-pointer that would have tied it with less than a half-minute remaining and Kansas sealed the win at the free throw line.

Engelman had 18 points – double her average – by halftime.

The Gamecocks used a 10-0 run to take a 28-21 lead. Bruner hit Khadijah Sessions with a long pass for a fastbreak basket and then muscled her way through the lane for two points herself. The next time downcourt, Bruner hit a jumper that rolled around the rim like a putt which lips around the cup before dropping.

Instead of a wide-mouthed fist pump like golf’s No. 1 player, Bruner celebrated with an ever-so-slight smile as she retreated to square up on defense.

Engelman, though, kept the Jayhawks from falling too far behind. She swished a jumper to end South Carolina’s streak, then added big basket and after big basket.

Engelman’s previous career high was 26 points on Feb. 13 against TCU.

With spring break started and the Buffs already eliminated, a sparse crowd was on hand, but many Colorado fans came out and many rooted against the Jayhawks, their former foe from the Big 12, evening up the cheering sections.

Colorado coach Linda Lappe, whose fifth-seeded Buffs were beaten by Kansas 67-52 in their first NCAA appearance in nine years Saturday night, sent an email to all-session ticket holders Monday imploring them to still come to the game.

”Though we won’t be playing, I trust you will continue your outstanding support of this tournament and you will demonstrate CU spirit at tonight’s second round game featuring South Carolina and Kansas,” she wrote. ”It is important that we all continue to support the tournament so that we can be awarded this opportunity again.”

— Associated Press —