Selby’s status with Kansas in limbo

LAWRENCE, Kan. – If the NCAA lets him play, Josh Selby’s spectacular skills could make Kansas a Final Four contender.

In the meantime, he and the Jayhawks just wait for any word.

Coach Bill Self said Tuesday there had been no developments in the drawn-out case involving questions of academics and amateurism for his prized 6-foot-2 freshman point guard.

“We’ve been instructed not to talk about it until we have information and we don’t have information yet,” Self said. “We do believe it’s coming to a head. But we don’t know when or what.”

For about three weeks, Selby was not even allowed to enroll. But since early September, the McDonald’s All-American, rated No. 1 in the nation by Rivals.com, has been going to class and working out with his teammates. He will be able to take part when formal practice starts on Friday.

But the NCAA has not said when, or if, he will be able to play in games. The Jayhawks, picked second in the Big 12 in preseason polls, open on Nov. 12.

“We hope to have a resolution to it sooner rather than later. But I don’t know when that will be,” Self said. “I certainly understand why this has taken a little bit of time but I do think there will be a positive conclusion. Hopefully, shortly. But I don’t know that to be a fact.”

Speaking to the media for the first time since he arrived on campus, Selby admitted all the uncertainty has taken an emotional toll.

“It was pretty lonely at first,” he said. “But my teammates stayed behind me, supported me, motivated me being there, relaxing my mind, taking it out of my mind. I’m just thankful I have the teammates I have because without them, I wouldn’t have made it through this.”