By RUSTIN DODD
LAWRENCE — Kansas coach Bill Self officially announced the addition of Arkansas transfer Hunter Mickelson on Friday morning, releasing that the 6-foot-10 Mickelson had signed a grant-in-aid agreement to play at KU.
Mickelson, who spent two seasons at Arkansas, made his move public on Thursday. He will sit out the 2013-14 season before being eligible for two seasons at Kansas.
“Hunter is a young man that we recruited out of high school, offered a scholarship and he chose to stay close to home,” Self said in a statement. “He decided after two years at Arkansas that a change would do him good and we’re very excited about the change.
“He fits how we play. He’s long, very interchangeable and will be able to step away from the basket and stretch it. Defensively, he is a presence because he’s a shot blocker.”
Mickelson averaged 5.5 points and 3.5 rebounds as a sophomore at Arkansas. But a diminished role and a concern over future playing time prompted a decision to transfer. When Kansas showed interest, Mickelson committed to Self without taking a visit to campus.
“There’s no telling until it happens,” Mickelson told The Star on Thursday, “But hopefully it’s a good change for me.”
It will start with a year off, where Mickelson, a former top-100 recruit, can work on improving in the Jayhawks’ system.
“I think the redshirt year will be great for him,” Self said. “It will give him the opportunity to get stronger, get confidence and get his game to the point where he can be a serious impact player for us the following year.”
