Selby Leaves Mark in Much-Anticipated Kansas Debut
Dec. 18, 2010
LAWRENCE, Kan. –
True freshman Josh Selby probably couldn’t have scripted his Kansas debut any better. Selby calmly and collectively knocked down what proved to be the game winning three-point shot with 26 seconds remaining against an underrated USC team.
“Marcus (Morris) told me in the timeout to be ready to shoot because they were probably going to double-team him and when it came to that point I didn’t hesitate and it went in,” Selby said.
In his Kansas debut, after sitting out the first nine games of the season due to NCAA-ruling, Selby finished the game with a game-high 21 points on 5-of-11 shooting from the field, including 5-of-8 from three-point range in 27 minutes of play. Selby led the way in a back-and-forth battle as KU held on for the 70-68 win.
“It was wonderful because I missed nine games and to finally be out there to play in front of the fans and with my teammates, it was a great environment,” Selby said.
The win extended the nation’s current longest home court winning streak to 65 games. The fans were every bit as important as the true freshman.
“To me I think we have the best fans in college basketball,” Selby said. “They never gave up on us because we were down and they just motivated us and gave us energy. They played a big part in this game also.”
The highly-anticipated wait for Selby to finally play came to an end when he entered the game with 15:53 left in the first half. A little over two minutes later, Selby knocked down his first collegiate basket. Not even a minute later he made his second three-point basket.
Following the game, Selby was asked if he had ever hit that many three-point baskets in a game before. Without hesitation he said with a laugh, “I’ve doubled that before.”
The lone downside to Selby’s debut was the four turnovers he committed. Turnovers are to be expected from a guard, especially in a college debut by a true freshman.
“The ball was slippery, but I’m not going to blame it on that,” Selby said. “I’m not going to make excuses, I did what I did. Hopefully next game I can correct it.”
Selby continued his high-level of play in the second half as he hit a couple of big buckets, but none bigger than the game-winner with 26 seconds remaining.
“It’s confidence, but I’ve been there before. I’ve hit a lot of big shots,” Selby said.
After the shot all 16,300 fans went into a frenzy. Asked if he’d ever heard anything that loud before he said, “No. It was so loud I couldn’t hear myself talking.”
Selby will take his talents to California on Dec. 22 when the Jayhawks take on Cal in their first true road game of the season. That game will begin at 10 p.m. Central and be televised on FSN.
