Selby Continues to Impress in Jayhawks' Victory Over RedHawks

Jan. 3, 2011

LAWRENCE, Kan. –

Although freshman Josh Selby didn’t end up with the most points by a Kansas player Sunday evening, the freshman certainly made his presence known in what was only his second career start.

Selby finished with 18 points, seven rebounds, five assists and a steal in the Jayhawks’ 83-56 victory over the RedHawks of Miami Ohio. The 18 points were the highest total for him since his first game against USC, in which he netted 21.

“I’m not sure which game is the best because I don’t really focus on that.” Selby said. “As long as we got the win, that’s good with me.”

With just over five minutes remaining in the first half, Selby made it known that this game would be different than his previous one in which he scored just two points and grabbed two rebounds. Selby caught the ball from teammate Tyshawn Taylor and made good on his shot from beyond the arc to put his team up by 22 points.

“I was cold last game so after I hit my three I was happy,” Selby said. “I just saluted Tyshawn (in celebration). That’s what we do; when he dunks he salutes me and when I hit a three he salutes me because he gave me the pass.”

That three-pointer would be the first of four treys the freshman would make good on all game, which was the most he converted on since his debut against USC on December 18.

“My teammates just told me, keep playing your game and it will come to you,” Selby said. “So that’s what I did; I took their advice and it worked out for me.”

Couple his clutch three-point shooting with the first dunk of his young career and it was a banner day for the freshman from Baltimore.

“There were a lot of amazing dunks today but I was just happy I got my legs back,” Selby said. “I just wanted to break the rim down.”

It’s a good thing he didn’t because Selby would need that rim as his four second half rebounds and one assist were enough to give career highs in both categories. His stellar performance Sunday night has him averaging a shade under 15 points per game during his young career.

That career will continue Wednesday night as KU plays host to UMKC at Allen Fieldhouse at 7 p.m.