KU defeats Puerto Rico Select Team in first of three exhibitions in Caribbean: details
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Newcomer transfers Hunter Dickinson and Nick Timberlake earned their first starts in Kansas men’s basketball jerseys in KU’s Thursday exhibition game against Puerto Rico Select at Ruben Rodriguez Coliseum.
The Jayhawks won 106-71 before a crowd that that appeared to number between 1,000 and 2,000 fans in the 12,000 seat arena. Arterio Morris scored 20 and KJ Adams 19 for the Jayhawks.
Seven-footer Dickinson, who arrived via the NCAA transfer portal from Michigan, won the opening tip and scored his first bucket for KU: a 4-footer off a pass from KJ Adams in the opening minute. He was joined in the opening lineup by former Towson guard Timberlake, KJ Adams, Dajuan Harris and Kevin McCullar.
kj havin’ himself a game pic.twitter.com/9yJ1HSSrUk
— Kansas Men’s Basketball (@KUHoops) August 3, 2023
Dickinson, who finished with 13 points, started slowly, missing four of his first five shots, but still had six points in the first half. He heated up to start the third quarter with two buckets, including a 12-footer.
Arterio Morris excels early
Former Texas Longhorn guard Arterio Morris, who was first off the bench with Elmarko Jackson, impressed early.
He hit a 3-pointer and then slam-dunked off a beautiful behind-the-back pass from Harris. Next, he went coast-to coast for another layup. He was good for seven points in the first five minutes of the first of four 10-minute quarters.
Morris had 13 points in the first half to lead all scorers at halftime. He sank a three in the opening minutes of the third quarter.
Jayhawks’ 3-pointers fall
Elmarko Jackson’s first bucket as a KU player came on his first shot as a Jayhawk, a 3-pointer from the corner. Adams, who worked on his shot a lot this summer, also stroked a 3-pointer from the corner in the early going.
Former Towson player Timberlake missed his first 3, then connected from deep on the wing. He came in advertised as a strong 3-point threat.
Zach Clemence, who had a bucket the first half, stroked two deep 3s in the third quarter. Freshman Jamari McDowell joined the 3-point brigade, hitting a deep one in front of KU’s bench in the third quarter.
Faces in crowd
Christian Braun, brother of KU senior Parker Braun, attended the game. Christian Braun played for the NBA champion Denver Nuggets this past season. Former KU guard Alex Galindo also attended, along with his son.
More details to come later.
