Kansas Jayhawks: Everything Rosy with Cheick Diallo?

The Kansas Jayhawks may not have had the season they envisioned last year, but getting another five-star recruit can help them turn the page.

It was announced yesterday that Cheick Diallo, a five-star recruit out of Our Savior New American High School in New York, would be attending the University of Kansas in the fall, joining head coach Bill Self in trying to turn the powerhouse program around after a season where Wichita State knocked them out in the round of 32.

Diallo will be linking up with fellow five-star recruit Carlton Bragg in the journey. The hope is that both these talented freshmen will form a productive core and take the program back to top five heights. Sound familiar? That was supposed to be the plan last season as well.

The Kansas Jayhawks had huge expectations for their Class of 2014, which included two five-star recruits: Kelly Oubre and Cliff Alexander. Oubre was supposed to provide the program with a consistent scorer from the perimeter while Alexander was going to complement Perry Ellis on the interior, bully opposing players with his wide frame, fighting for rebounds and easy baskets.

However, that plan never came to fruition. Oubre and Alexander found themselves buried on the Jayhawks bench for a long stretches of games during the season, which was strange considering how much talent they both possessed and could contribute to Kansas’ cause.

In fact, when they did get minutes, they were two of the most productive players on team. Per 40 minutes, Oubre was second on the team in scoring at 17.6 points. Alexander was an absolute monster, getting per 40-minute numbers of 16.2 points, 12 rebounds, and three blocks.

Though the Kansas Jayhawks were still able to find success by winning the Big 12 Regular Season Title, there are still lingering questions has to how Bill Self will handle his latest group of five-star talent. Will Diallo or Bragg find themselves coming off the bench like Oubre and Alexander, or will they have a chance to consistently contribute?

Diallo’s ability to protect the rim and finish strong at the basket will be his greatest asset. His effort at both ends of the court will allow him to gain instant favor with Self, and get consistent minutes.

Bragg presents an interesting challenge for Self. While he can score on the inside and outside and provide good rim protection, consistent effort has been an issue for him to overcome. If he is not careful, he could find himself in Self’s doghouse for the entirety of the season if he does not put forth maximum effort.

Every year is a new year that presents new challenges with different players for the Kansas Jayhawks. Though Self has been blessed with five-star recruits seemingly year in and year out, the way he handles them leaves some fans a little hesitant to buy into the hype before the season begins.

With this latest crop of talent, Self at least as a hardworking forward that he can depend on to a least attempt to maximize his talent in Diallo. How Self handles him and Bragg will be one of the more interesting stories to see unfold after last years strangeness with Oubre and Alexander.

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