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Summer exhibitions provided Kansas big man with needed playing time

Hunter Mickelson, Andrew Young

Arkansas’ Hunter Mickelson, left, makes a pass as Texas A&M’s Andrew Young, right, defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Fayetteville, Ark., Saturday, March 9, 2013. (AP Photo/April L. Brown)

AP

While his name may not be mentioned as often as those of Perry Ellis and Cliff Alexander when people discuss the Kansas front court ahead of the 2014-15 season, Hunter Mickelson is another option looking to make his mark for head coach Bill Self. Mickelson, who began his college career at Arkansas, was forced to sit out last season per NCAA rules. And while he was able to practice against the likes of Ellis, Joel Embiid and Tarik Black, there’s a clear difference between practice and actual game experience.

With that being the case, Mickelson’s opportunity to play with the USA East Coast All-Stars this summer provided the big man with a good opportunity to not only shake off the rust that can accumulate as a result of sitting an entire season but to also apply what he’d learned during his time on the sidelines.

“My summer was fun to begin with, working out here, lifting weights, doing individuals (drills) and getting better. That (trip) added a high point to it for sure. I’d definitely recommend it,” said Mickelson, whose teammates were Damonte Dodd (Maryland), Mike Gesell (Iowa), Granville Gittens (Baruch), Dusty Hannahs (Arkansas), B.J. Johnson (Syracuse), Ty Johnson (South Carolina), John Monkam (Lycoming), Tyler Roberson (Syracuse), Sindarius Thornwell (South Carolina) and Adam Woodbury (Iowa).

“I think all-around I’ve improved after (practicing but not playing in games) a year. Knowing the offense and knowing how things work around here as far as the basketball aspect, kind of settling in and kind of becoming part of the team I guess is what I probably got better at.”


In the linked story Mickelson also noted the impact that Self’s boot camp program, something the Jayhawks go through every offseason, had on his conditioning. That may be a bit surprising considering the high-paced system Mickelson played in at Arkansas, but the experience can help a player remain in good shape while unable to participate in games.

In two seasons at Arkansas the 6-foot-10 Mickelson averaged 5.2 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.7 blocked shots per contest. He may not enter the 2014-15 season with the expectations many will have for Ellis and Alexander, but Mickelson can certainly help the Jayhawks as they look to remain atop the Big 12 and rebound from a disappointing finish to the 2013-14 season.

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