Rumors started surfacing Thursday morning regarding the #7 ranked player in the ESPNU 100, Josh Selby. Despite the rumor suggesting that Selby and his mother, Maeshon Witherspoon, were upset with Kansas fans for expressing their sometimes harsh opinions about current Kansas guard, Tyshawn Taylor. TheShiver.com caught up with Witherspoon Thursday afternoon to talk about the situation.
“I had a run in with a KU fan that suggested that if Josh picked Kansas he would have big shoes to fill replacing Sherron Collins,” Witherspoon said. “I just told him, jokingly, that Josh will make mistakes in college, and that if he chose Kansas, I hope that the fans wouldn’t be as harsh as they’ve been on Tyshawn,” added Witherspoon.
Taylor’s up and down season is no secret to Kansas fans. After stating that he wasn’t sure what his role is on the team earlier this season, Taylor appeared to be struggling on the court throughout the middle part of the season. Taylor also added that he would do whatever is required of him in order for the team to succeed. To Taylor’s credit, that’s exactly what he’s done since being replaced in the starting line-up in favor of Brady Morningstar.
Taylor’s quickness and athleticism were noticably absent while he was coming off the bench for the Jayhawks, one reason why Kansas Coach Bill Self felt that the team was better with Taylor in the starting line-up. Another reason for Taylor being named as a starter again was his noticable improvement on the court and as a 6th man. Despite losing his starting position, Taylor showed a great attitude with both his teammates and coaches.
Since being reinserted into the starting line-up for the Colorado game, Taylor has responded to the tune of 28 points, 7 assists and only 3 turnovers, including a zero turnover performance against Oklahoma last Monday night. Taylor’s struggles and turn-around is something that Witherspoon has certainly noticed, but the way the Kansas fans have allegedly reacted toward his trials isn’t something that would keep Selby from potentially choosing Kansas.
“That stuff doesn’t bother us. If I felt that Josh couldn’t handle it at a place like Kansas, we wouldn’t have Kansas on the list,” Witherspoon said. “We wouldn’t have most of the schools he’s looked at on the list,” she added.
As for whether or not the Jayhawks are still being considered, Witherspoon quickly responded with, “Yes, KU is on the list.”
Selby and Witherspoon will be making another official visit this weekend to Connecticut. Selby is schedule to visit Kentucky on March 7th, but that date could possibly conflict with Lake Clifton’s bid to repeat as state champion according to Witherspoon.
“Looking at the state schedule, if Lake Clifton wins on Tuesday and Thursday, it could make it hard to make the UK visit,”said Witherspoon.
