LAWRENCE-AJ Storm wants to win.
It’s one of the reasons he decided not to stay in the 2024 NBA draft process, because during it he was told how much the NBA loves winning players. Although he expressed his gratitude for his time in Wisconsin last season, and commented that the year went well, he was also frustrated to see the season end in the round of 16 of the NCAA tournament. While evaluating where he wanted to continue his college basketball career, Kansas It seemed like a place where he could enjoy success.
So as he discussed his arrival on campus earlier this month, it’s no surprise the accomplishment he highlighted and one the Jayhawks have enjoyed multiple times. He knows ku They also didn’t advance that far in the NCAA tournament last season. Next season is all about winning another national championship, like Kansas did again in 2022.
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“Actually, KU’s history speaks for itself,” Storr said. “I think six national championships? Coach (Bill) Self got two of them. “Really only the story speaks for itself.”
Storr continues to learn about Kansas basketball history. He continues to feel more comfortable on a new campus. But he still enjoys being in Lawrence, and that should all come in time.
Storr, a junior guard, sees himself as someone who brings experience as someone who has been in postseason games and as someone who is familiar with the different styles of play at this level. He is known for his ability to score, as someone who led Wisconsin in scoring last season, but noted that he also wants to provide defense. He is willing to be coached and understands that Self is the type of coach who will challenge him and motivate him to be the best version of himself.
Self himself said that Storr undoubtedly has to be one of his best players and highlighted Storr’s scoring ability. But speaking of defense, and also rebounding, Self looks for more. Self wants to see Storr get to a place where he defends and rebounds as well as scores.
“I think he has a chance to be as good an athlete/player as we’ve had in a long time,” Self said. “But I don’t think he plays in all areas of the game as well as when he has the ball in his hands.”
Another thing that has a chance to help Storr, who spent his freshman year with St. John’s, is that he knows what it’s like to play against Kansas. Last summer, when the Jayhawks traveled to Puerto Rico to play some exhibition games, Storr competed in a couple of games. He was with the Bahamas national team and, according to a KU release, averaged 15 points and five rebounds in the two appearances.
How much something like this will help Storr, who has been an all-league honoree in both of his previous stops, will be determined over time. Storr will also work this offseason on his ball handling, shooting consistency, conditioning and flexibility. But it is an experience he has not forgotten.
“It was actually crazy,” Storr said. “It’s actually crazy to think about. But yeah, it’s crazy.”
Jordan Guskey covers University of Kansas sports at The Topeka Capital-Journal. He is the National Sports Media Association Sportswriter of the Year for the state of Kansas for 2022. Contact him at jmguskey@gannett.com or on Twitter at @JordanGuskey.
This article originally appeared in the Topeka Capital-Journal: Inside Kansas basketball coach Bill Self’s hopes for AJ Storr