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The Kansas Jayhawks just got some wing help for next season. The 41st overall recruit of ESPN100’s 2016 class has just announced he is transferring to Kansas.
Sam Cunliffe (6-foot-6 , 195 pounds) per NCAA rules will have to sit out half of the 2017-18 season, but after that he will be ready to go and have two years of eligibility. Before transferring Cunliffe was averaging 9.5 points, 4.8 rebounds and shooting 40.5 percent from behind the arc.
Cunliffe’s transfer definitely comes at a good time for Kansas who will be likely be losing Junior standout Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk and Freshman star forward Josh Jackson to the NBA draft. Even with 5-star PF Billy Preston coming in as reinforcements, Bill Self apparently still found it imperative to go out and delve into the transfer market.
Here is what Cunliffe had to say to FOX Sports on why he chose to transfer to Kansas:
“They need me to come in and play right away and start. It’s a great opportunity and I like these facilities, coaches and the guys.
It’s one of those things when they say they are going to give you an opportunity and starting minutes, you have to take it.
When Kansas first started recruiting me and calling, I wasn’t really interested because it can be kind of risky. When they first started reaching out, I wasn’t into it. They just kept coming at me and saying we need you and we want you.
Just talking to coach Self, he was the main one I talked to and I don’t think that’s normal. I’m real comfortable with him. Seeing who they lose and who they need and getting to play with that caliber of guys everyday will help me get better.”
Now that the Kansas Jayhawks have won the Cunliffe sweepstakes, it appears as though next season will now feature two transfers; Cunliffe and Malik Newman who should both make noise next season in Lawrence.