Carlton Bragg’s Announcement Caps 2016 Kansas Awards Banquet
The University of Kansas held its annual awards men’s basketball awards banquet on Wednesday night. Over 400 season ticket holders and Williams Fund donors gathered to see the Jayhawks 2015-16 team all together one final time.
The event was held at Abe and Jake’s Landing, a spacious and modern venue in the heart of Lawrence, Kansas. Typically, the banquet takes place at a Holiday Inn closer to campus, but a recent change in management led KU to find a new location for 2016. More than 200 fewer season ticket holders and donors were able to attend the event because of the smaller location. The people who did obtain tickets were immediately presented with a table full of the recent trophies won by the Jayhawks.
Final Four, CBE, five Big 12 titles, two Big 12 tournament titles, Orlando Classic, and Maui Invitational! #kubball pic.twitter.com/cQfFxaMQ2L
— Rock Chalk Blog (@RockChalkBlog) April 13, 2016
Up close and personal with the 14th and most recent Final Four trophy! 2012 Midwest Regional Champions! #kubball pic.twitter.com/CbtQRJ3qMn
— Rock Chalk Blog (@RockChalkBlog) April 13, 2016
The hardware on display has all been claimed in the last five seasons of Kansas basketball, dating back to the beginning of Jamari Traylor’s career in the 2011-12 season.
At 6 p.m., players arrived at the venue and spent a half-hour mingling and socializing with the event guests. Perry Ellis and Landen Lucas were the first to arrive and wasted no time taking photos and signing autographs for fans, but it wasn’t until a few minutes later when the more stylish group showed up.
Jamari Traylor, Devonte’ Graham, and Wayne Selden all enter wearing some sweet shades. #kubball pic.twitter.com/3fVJyKExfT
— Rock Chalk Blog (@RockChalkBlog) April 13, 2016
Being able to meet and interact with the players in this setting is one of the best parts of being able to attend games on a regular basis.
Svi – returning for season three next year! #kubball pic.twitter.com/DhBB8LKSHZ
— Rock Chalk Blog (@RockChalkBlog) April 13, 2016
How about the progress made by this guy all year? Can’t wait to see senior Landen Lucas anchoring KU! #kubball pic.twitter.com/l67PnK2oOf
— Rock Chalk Blog (@RockChalkBlog) April 13, 2016
There’s a laugh in every line with this guy – glad Hunter chose to finish his career at KU! #kubball pic.twitter.com/6tudB1nYIz
— Rock Chalk Blog (@RockChalkBlog) April 13, 2016
Thank you, Perry Ellis! #kubball pic.twitter.com/pElrdxyiv6
— Rock Chalk Blog (@RockChalkBlog) April 13, 2016
I asked him if his hands were still sore from the Baylor dunk. “No, but that rim is!” #kubball pic.twitter.com/ZRUgnZW0R5
— Rock Chalk Blog (@RockChalkBlog) April 13, 2016
My 71-year-old grandma, who has owned KU season tickets for 30 years, looks forward to the banquet each year. She goes right up to the players and talks to them like she’s known them for years, and you can tell that they’re into the event as well.
My grandma loves Carlton Bragg, and it’s easy to see why! #kubball pic.twitter.com/jYP96TqDKM
— Rock Chalk Blog (@RockChalkBlog) April 13, 2016
Pictured here: Oklahoma’s worst nightmare, and next year’s player of the year in the Big 12? #kubball pic.twitter.com/kYRYTfpRqd
— Rock Chalk Blog (@RockChalkBlog) April 13, 2016
I asked a lady to take this, and Self yelled at me. “Does she look like a photographer to you?!” #kubball pic.twitter.com/NDT1ECkoZ7
— Rock Chalk Blog (@RockChalkBlog) April 13, 2016
All Kansas players were in attendance besides Cheick Diallo, and Bill Self later gave an explanation for the freshman center’s absence:
Self: “Diallo is in SC working out. He hasn’t signed with an agent. He was dealt a bad hand, and I just want to recognize him.” #kubball
— Rock Chalk Blog (@RockChalkBlog) April 14, 2016
While dinner was served, a 30-minute highlight film of the 2015-16 season was played. Every player was profiled, and every memorable moment was recalled. Whether it was the end of the Kansas/Oklahoma triple-overtime thriller, Wayne Selden’s heroic performance against Kentucky, or Jamari Traylor’s epic dunk against Texas, the fans in attendance went as crazy during the film as they did during the regular season. Some of the best moments from the video:
In a Maui swimming pool, Frank Mason dunked on a bunch of 10-year-olds on a pool basketball hoop. He then taunted them. #kubball
— Rock Chalk Blog (@RockChalkBlog) April 13, 2016
An extended portion of this highlight tape is dedicated to the 3OT KU/OU marathon. Maybe the best game in #kubball history. Ever.
— Rock Chalk Blog (@RockChalkBlog) April 14, 2016
After the 3OT game in the locker room, Self announced that KU would be practicing the next day. Jamari Traylor: “Damn, coach!” #kubball
— Rock Chalk Blog (@RockChalkBlog) April 14, 2016
After his hero OU game, several KU players bowed down to Devonte’ Graham’s jersey. Vick danced around with his #4 locker plate. #kubball
— Rock Chalk Blog (@RockChalkBlog) April 14, 2016
Following Senior Night, Bob Davis softly laid down his microphone on the Jayhawk at midcourt of Allen Fieldhouse. Symbolic. #kubball
— Rock Chalk Blog (@RockChalkBlog) April 14, 2016
Devonte’ Graham dumped a Gatorade bucket full of confetti over Bill Self after winning the Big 12 tournament. #kubball
— Rock Chalk Blog (@RockChalkBlog) April 14, 2016
0 minutes and 0 seconds of footage from the Villanova game. They’re keeping everybody’s spirits up. #kubball
— Rock Chalk Blog (@RockChalkBlog) April 14, 2016
After the film’s conclusion, legendary Kansas broadcaster Bob Davis introduced Bill Self, the recently-named AP Coach of the Year. Self talked for about 45 minutes, honoring his staff, his assistants, and finally, his players. He called the entire team onto the stage and said a couple of sentences about each player individually. Some of his highlights:
Self: “Bob Davis: you will be missed, you will not be forgotten, and nobody is better at their craft than you. Thank you!” #kubball
— Rock Chalk Blog (@RockChalkBlog) April 14, 2016
Self to Bob Davis’ wife: “Good luck getting him out of the house. Because man, that’s going to suck.” #kubball
— Rock Chalk Blog (@RockChalkBlog) April 14, 2016
Self: “Bob Davis’ farewell tour lasted longer than Kobe’s. And he has to put up with Greg Gurley!” #kubball
— Rock Chalk Blog (@RockChalkBlog) April 14, 2016
Self to Brennan Bechard: “You didn’t have to make that damn shot. You owe me $10,000.” #kubball
— Rock Chalk Blog (@RockChalkBlog) April 14, 2016
Self on Kurtis Townsend: “You’re the old man on the staff, and you’ve done really nice work recruiting…Especially recently…” #kubball
— Rock Chalk Blog (@RockChalkBlog) April 14, 2016
Self: “Nobody played harder than these kids. Nobody tries harder than these kids.” #kubball
— Rock Chalk Blog (@RockChalkBlog) April 14, 2016
Self: “I don’t think I’ve ever enjoyed coaching a group of men more than I’ve enjoyed coaching these kids. These guys are studs.” #kubball
— Rock Chalk Blog (@RockChalkBlog) April 14, 2016
Self: “How much did you pay for that hat, Wayne? $45? See, you couldn’t have done that three weeks ago.” #kubball
— Rock Chalk Blog (@RockChalkBlog) April 14, 2016
Self on Lagerald Vick: “Guys, he’s going to be really really good.” #kubball
— Rock Chalk Blog (@RockChalkBlog) April 14, 2016
Self: “If Carlton Bragg comes back, he’s going to step right into Perry’s role.” #kubball
— Rock Chalk Blog (@RockChalkBlog) April 14, 2016
Self: “Svi’s talent level is unbelievable. He should be a college freshman. We can’t wait to see what he does next year.” #kubball
— Rock Chalk Blog (@RockChalkBlog) April 14, 2016
Self: “That kid from North Carolina with the bad haircut? He’s going to be one of the best guards in the country next year.” #kubball
— Rock Chalk Blog (@RockChalkBlog) April 14, 2016
Self: “It is amazing to watch – Landen is bright, he understands the game, and he was the difference in our team.” #kubball
— Rock Chalk Blog (@RockChalkBlog) April 14, 2016
Self: “There’s no question who the best highlight player we have – Wayne Selden. Wayne, it’s been an absolute joy to coach you.” #kubball
— Rock Chalk Blog (@RockChalkBlog) April 14, 2016
Self on Frank Mason: “Without a doubt the most stubborn player on our team. But with stubbornness comes toughness. He’s a leader.” #kubball
— Rock Chalk Blog (@RockChalkBlog) April 14, 2016
Self on Evan Manning: “An absolute stud. He has put his handprint on or program, and he will go onto great things.” #kubball
— Rock Chalk Blog (@RockChalkBlog) April 14, 2016
Self on Hunter Mickelson: “He’s going to play professionally next year. Unselfish and a great team player.” #kubball
— Rock Chalk Blog (@RockChalkBlog) April 14, 2016
Self on Jamari Traylor: “A great highlight player too – an absolute stud, and one of my all-time favorites.” #kubball
— Rock Chalk Blog (@RockChalkBlog) April 14, 2016
Bill Self: “There is nobody who I respect more than Jamari Traylor.” #kubball
— Rock Chalk Blog (@RockChalkBlog) April 14, 2016
Self on Perry Ellis: “Like his dad, he has exemplified everything good in college sports.” #kubball
— Rock Chalk Blog (@RockChalkBlog) April 14, 2016
Self on Ellis: “Nobody is a smarter kid, nobody a more unselfish teammate, and nobody a classier person.” #kubbal
— Rock Chalk Blog (@RockChalkBlog) April 14, 2016
At every banquet, Kansas honors one player with the Danny Manning “Mr. Jayhawk” award. The recipient is typically the team’s best player, but off-the-court contributions are also taken into account. It was no surprise who was awarded the honor this year:
Perry Ellis is the recipient of the Danny Manning “Mr. Jayhawk” award in 2016. #kubball
— Rock Chalk Blog (@RockChalkBlog) April 14, 2016
Perry Ellis: “For four years, it has meant so much to me to wear ‘Kansas’ across my chest.” #kubball
— Rock Chalk Blog (@RockChalkBlog) April 14, 2016
With an exciting night set to come to a close, only one piece of business remained. Wayne Selden Jr., Cheick Diallo, and Brannen Greene have already declared for the NBA Draft. Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk recently announced his plans to stay for his junior year. Freshman Carlton Bragg was the only unknown for the Jayhawks, and Bill Self gave him the microphone to announce news that delighted everyone in attendance:
BREAKING: Carlton Bragg announces he’s returning to Kansas for his sophomore season. #kubball
— Rock Chalk Blog (@RockChalkBlog) April 14, 2016
Bragg keeps the announcement short and simple: “I will be playing again… Next year!” #kubball
— Rock Chalk Blog (@RockChalkBlog) April 14, 2016
Self: “Jesse Newell and all you reporters… You can stop bugging the crap out of me now asking about what Carlton’s gonna do.” #kubball
— Rock Chalk Blog (@RockChalkBlog) April 14, 2016
Self ended the banquet by stating a claim that gets said every year: Kansas doesn’t rebuild, it reloads. He openly told the audience how excited he was for next season’s Jayhawk team:
One more Self quote: “I don’t think I’ve ever been more excited for coaching than I am for next season.” #kubball
— Rock Chalk Blog (@RockChalkBlog) April 14, 2016
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