Bill Self explains why KJ Adams is dominating KU basketball’s minutes at center
Kansas sophomore forward KJ Adams, who is listed at 6-foot-7 but has often been referred to as 6-6 by coach Bill Self in interviews, has been getting almost all the minutes at the 5-spot during the Jayhawks’ first three Big 12 games.
Adams, KU’s starting big man who was projected to play on the perimeter this season, has logged 84 minutes — compared to 19 for 6-9 Zuby Ejiofor, eight for 6-10 Zach Clemence and six for 6-9 Cam Martin — in three Big 12 games. Meanwhile, 6-11 Ernest Udeh has played one possession for a total of one second heading into game four of the league slate, Tuesday’s 8 p.m. home contest against Oklahoma. It will be shown live on ESPN2.
“Their attitudes have been fine,” Self said of the backup bigs. “Ernest’s attitude is a 10. Zuby’s attitude is a 10. Zach has been fantastic. Cam’s been great, but you know inside they are disappointed. They are happy we are doing fairly well but they are disappointed they are not more a part of it. That’s just human nature.”
Self added of the backup bigs: “For the most part, when a guy’s number is called, they’ve been ready to go. I don’t see negativity. Now does that not mean they’re bothered, ‘I didn’t come here thinking I was going to sit the bench?’ Absolutely. I mean everybody would think that. When they were recruited I don’t think there was any intention of thinking KJ would be our starting 5-man. (But) anybody that watches us play would be foolish to say, ‘Well you could be as good with them playing (and) KJ at the 4. That’s not who we are right now.
“Could we develop into being a team where one of those guys could get good enough with their back to the basket and good enough at other stuff that we couldn’t take them out? Sure. I hope that’s the case. KJ hopes that’s the case because that means we’d have a better chance to win.”
Self stressed that communication has been wide open regarding his decision to use four guards and Adams at the 5. He said Monday that he “practiced KJ predominantly on the perimeter up until November.”
“I kept telling our big guys, ‘Guys, if somebody doesn’t start rebounding and defending the way we want and those sorts of things, I don’t know if you understand I’m going to move KJ to the 5,’ and that eliminates a lot of opportunities for folks because this is not how I envisioned it going,” Self said Monday. “Although the other guys (Ejiofor, Udeh, Clemence, Martin) have been fine, they haven’t been as good as KJ and in that regard, not close.”
Adams — he’s been awarded 26.6 minutes a game in 15 contests — has averaged 9.7 points and 4.4 rebounds. In Big 12 play, Adams has averaged 14.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 27.8 minutes.
“There’s not one player (big man) on our team that couldn’t say, ‘Coach didn’t tell us this was going to happen if we don’t maybe step up and do the things necessary,’” Self said. “Because if your 5-man isn’t a great defensive rebounder or great rim protector (and) not a great ball-screen defender (and) not a great screener, then why wouldn’t you just play KJ? That’s kind of what has transpired.
“Hopefully one of the other guys (steps up), and I think Zuby (two rebounds, four minutes Saturday at West Virginia) has shown signs. I actually think Zach (two points, three minutes vs. WVU) did well in the limited time the other day. Ernest and Cam didn’t have a chance (no minutes at WVU). They are not going to have a chance every day if KJ is playing 30 minutes a game. That means the other four guys would get 2 1/2 minutes a game That’s not going to happen.”
Self said what could occur as the Big 12 slate continues is “you may play two of those guys every game if KJ is playing well and hope you get good production in those limited minutes because those limited minutes are still very important.”
Adams told the media Monday at a news conference held in advance of the KU-OU game that he’s “having a good time this year especially with a new role that I really didn’t expect to have. Taking it day by day, enjoying the time I’ve been here, being present. I knew I’d have more of a long-term playing role but I didn’t know it’d be to this extent. I’m grateful. I’ve worked hard for it. Trying to do the best I can.”
Self can understand why the Austin, Texas, native Adams would be having a great time during his sophomore campaign.
“Usually you have more fun when you score eight games in a row in double figures,” said Self. Adams was last held to single-figure scoring against Tennessee on Nov. 25. “I don’t know if he even took double-figure shots last year, let alone scored double figures in a game. He’s got to be having fun. He is so coachable and tries hard.
“There are some things KJ doesn’t do great, but there’s a lot he does very well. We are just trying to figure out a way to utilize him best. As of late he’s been as productive as anybody we have on our team when you talk about consistency.”
Injury update
Self said freshman guard MJ Rice, who missed the West Virginia game because of back spasms, was feeling better after treatments and would likely practice Monday.
“He had back spasms. He went up and dunked one (in warmups at WVU) and landed funny. That triggered it. He was a lot better after 3-4 treatments,” Self said.
He added that redshirt-freshman guard Kyle Cuffe (knee) “is a long way from being able to practice. Hopefully he can come back and practice some. I don’t know if he’ll be 100% at all in the next month or two. I don’t know if that will be the case.”
This story was originally published January 9, 2023 at 4:10 PM with the headline "Bill Self explains why KJ Adams is dominating KU basketball’s minutes at center."
