KCKingdom
Fansided

Kansas Jayhawks: Bill Self Visits Transfer Mike Thorne Jr

By Zach Blochlinger

facebooktwitterreddit

Kansas Jayhawks head coach Bill Self paid a visit to Charlotte big-man transfer Mike Thorne Jr. and his parents earlier this week in Thorne’s hometown North Carolina, according to Rustin Dodd of the Kansas City Star. Thorne later told 247sports.com that he set up a visit to see Kansas’ campus on May 1st, unless another earlier date opens up on his calender.

Thorne has spent four years with the Charlotte 49ers and will graduate in May, but still has one more year of NCAA eligibility left and will be able to play without skipping a season due to the NCAA’s graduate-transfer waiver.

He was originally being recruited by many teams, but has narrowed it down to just three via Instagram:

Thorne could fill a void that the Jayhawks desperately need. He is a 6 foot 11 and 270 pound solid center that could plug up the middle for coach Self and the Jayhawks, which is something that they lacked last year even with the emergence of Landen Lucas.

More from Kansas Jayhawks

This situation is similar to that of Tarik Black’s two seasons ago, where he transferred to Kansas for his senior season after spending the majority of his college career at Memphis. Black was a very successful bench contributor and definitely helped toughen up the eventual third overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft Joel Embiid.

Thorne wouldn’t need to do much scoring, as the Jayhawks will have most, if not all of their top scorers back next season other than freshman Kelly Oubre Jr. who just declared for the 2015 NBA Draft on Wednesday.

Thorne put up about 10 points per game and added just below 8 rebounds per game in 26 minutes per game during his last season with the 49ers.

The Jayhawks could use Thorne next season, but they are also still pursing top high school senior prospects Cheick Diallo, Thon Maker, Malik Newman, and others that could take up his roster spot.

If Thorne and the Jayhawks were able to work something out, I think he would be a great addition to a team that is likely to bring back it’s entire roster other than Kelly Oubre. He would have to compete with Kansas’ plethora of big men which includes Perry Ellis, Jamari Traylor, Cliff Alexander (assuming he returns for his sophomore season), Landen Lucas, and incoming freshman Carlton Bragg for playing time at the power forward and center positions.

*Stats courtesy of ESPN*

Next: Kelly Oubre Leaving Kansas Jayhawks For NBA Draft

More from KC Kingdom

Home/Kansas Jayhawks