KU men’s basketball injury report includes coach Bill Self and freshman Johnny Furphy
Kansas’ Bill Self has started the 2023-24 college basketball season on the injured list.
The Jayhawks’ 21st-year head coach recently suffered two broken ribs while taking a tumble on the James Naismith Court while playing with his grandkids in Allen Fieldhouse.
“I broke two ribs the other day chasing our 5-year-old and 3-year-old granddaughters right before Late Night, one of the least athletic moves of my life and certainly the definition of feeling old,” Self, KU’s 60-year-old coach, revealed Wednesday at Big 12 Men’s Basketball Media Day at T-Mobile Center.
“I’m doing fine,” Self quickly added of recovering from an injury that he says has been quite painful.
Asked about his “minor injury” by a media member, Self cracked: “I don’t think broken ribs is minor.”
He again answered lightheartedly when asked if he feels any different just days after the IARP issued minor penalties in the Jayhawks’ six-year NCAA infractions case.
“It hasn’t felt as different,” Self said with a smile, “because my ribs hurt so bad.”
Though Self hasn’t complained about his rib injury to his Jayhawk players, junior point guard Dajuan Harris said he’s noticed his coach has at times been slowed at practice.
“If he starts yelling, he’ll lower his voice and grab here,” Harris said, pointing to his own ribcage. “He’s not complaining at all though. He’s too tough to do that.”
As far as his own players, Self told The Star that freshman guard Johnny Furphy has been held out of action of late because of “shin splints. It’ll probably be another week (before he returns to action).”
Self on Wednesday listed Furphy as one of the players fighting for a starting spot in the Jayhawks’ opening lineup.
He indicated returning starters Harris, Kevin McCullar and KJ Adams would be sure starters along with newcomer big man Hunter Dickinson.
That leaves one perimeter spot open with candidates Furphy, Elmarko Jackson, Nick Timberlake and Jamari McDowell eager to earn that final slot.
A ninth scholarship player is forward Parker Braun. Self said the plan is still to redshirt junior forward Zach Clemence, KU’s 10th scholarship player.
“I think the best teams are one where there is competition but also separation between maybe five and six (players in rotation). We don’t have that yet,” Self said.
“I could see starting any of those four perimeter players at some juncture,” he added of freshmen Furphy, McDowell and Jackson and senior Timberlake.
“Elmarko is probably maybe the most raw talent (of the group of four). Nick is the best shooter. Johnny has length. Jamari is probably the best equipped to play in a college game right now from a feel and knowledge (perspective).”
Asked which newcomer has been a “pleasant surprise,” Self chose McDowell, 6-4, 180 from Houston.
“He is not going to be an unbelievable scorer,” Self said, “but it’s easy for the other guys to play with him because he knows what we are trying to do.”
Harris said he’s enjoying watching the players battle for the final starting spot.
“We know who four starters are going to be. Those guys are working hard, all competing for that one spot,” Harris said. “They are all going to help us this year. That’s what coach brought them in to do.”
This story was originally published October 18, 2023 at 5:45 PM with the headline "KU men’s basketball injury report includes coach Bill Self and freshman Johnny Furphy."
