Bolingbrook's Yesufu Chooses Kansas

BOLINGBROOK, IL — Less than a week after announcing he had entered the NCAA Transfer Portal, former Bolingbrook High and Drake University guard Joseph Yesufu has found a new home. On Wednesday, Yesufu revealed on Twitter that he would become a Kansas Jayhawk.

"I would like to announce that I will be committing to the University of Kansas! Can't wait to be part of this special program, so we can make the fans proud! Go Jayhawks," Yesufu tweeted next to a photoshopped image of him in a Kansas uniform.

The move continues a stunning ascent for the 2019 Bolingbrook grad, who was coming off the bench for Drake as late as February. But Yesufu became a starter on Feb. 22 and averaged 22.4 points and 3.0 assists in the final seven games of the season.

The 6-foot Yesufu saved some of his best performances for the biggest stage. He had a team-high 21 points in Drake's 53-52 win over Wichita State in an NCAA Tournament First Four game on March 18. Perhaps the highlight of the night was Yesufu's dunk over the Shockers' Clarence Jackson, who is seven inches taller. The play was shown earlier this week in the "One Shining Moment" highlights montage after Monday night's NCAA Tournament championship game on CBS.

Yesufu followed up that outing with a game-high 26 points, including hitting six of 11 from three-point range, in Drake's 72-56 loss to favored Southern California.

When Yesufu announced he would enter the transfer portal he drew interest from several high-level programs including: Kansas, Wisconsin, USC, Nebraska, Arizona State and Minnesota. Yesufu told the Kansas City Star that Kansas coach Bill Self contacted him on April 2. Clearly, the coach made a persuasive pitch.

"I chose Kansas because I'm trying to be a better player, better person," Yesufu told the Kansas City Star on Wednesday. "Coach Self gives me the opportunity to do so. I'm trying to help the team and make the fans proud."

Due to an expected NCAA rule change allowing transfers to play immediately, and the governing body's pandemic-influenced decision not to charge athletes with a year of eligibility in 2020-21, Yesufu should be suiting up for Kansas this coming season, and he will have three years of eligibility remaining.

Drake, which finished 26-5 and won the program's first NCAA Tournament game since 1971, had a memorable season. But Yesufu will be trading Des Moines for the much brighter lights, from a basketball standpoint, of Lawrence, KS, where this past season's 21-9 record and ouster by USC in the second round of the NCAA Tournament is viewed as somewhat of a disappointment.

"Coach Self said I have to work for everything. He said, 'be ready, we're trying to go places, trying to win a National Championship this coming year,'" Yesufu said.

Yesufu continued: "It's a great basketball program, a great fanbase. I've heard Lawrence is a great place. I'm really blessed."

Yesufu said he considers himself a natural point guard. Though his exact role at Kansas next season might depend on the whether this year's point guard Marcus Garrett decides to return for his NCAA-granted extra season.

If he does play the point, next season or in the future, Yesufu will be looking to follow in the footsteps of several talented recent Jayhawks floor generals, like Frank Mason, Devonte' Graham and Devon Dotson.

Bolingbrook boys basketball coach Rob Brost was brimming with pride on Wednesday after Yesufu's decision.

"To say I am proud of (Yesufu) would be a massive understatement," Brost said in a text message. "He is the epitome of the type of person you want your kids to be like. He is a shining example of how to go about your business in a humble, selfless way, while at the same time becoming the best player he can be."

Read more in the Kansas City Star.