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IMG Academy’s (Fla.) Silvio De Sousa has plans to enroll at Kansas during the semester break, the blue-chip power forward said after his game Saturday at National Hoopfest at DeMatha Catholic High School.
De Sousa, regarded as one of the top recruits in the Class of 2018 at 6-foot-9, 242 pounds, signed his letter of intent in November and is awaiting standardized testing results, which will ultimately determine his eligibility of playing for the Jayhawks sooner rather than later. De Sousa said he will know his SAT score this Friday, December 15.
“I feel great about it [the SAT score]. At least, that’s what I think,” De Sousa told Maryland Sports Access on Saturday. “I’m just waiting now. … I’m still trying to figure it out.”
SD2TWO on Twitter
Imma be there sooner than u thought ?????
Enrolling and attempting to play during the second semester would provide Kansas much-needed depth in the frontcourt. As of Saturday, Udoka Azubuike is the only traditional post player averaging more than 15 minutes a game for the Jayhawks. Billy Preston, ranked No. 18 in the 2017 ESPN 100 and was expected to be a key contributor down low, remains out indefinitely while the finances related to a one-car accident are investigated. Additionally, Kansas’ bench is accounting for just 22.1 percent of its minutes, seventh-lowest in the nation.
After winning its first seven games of the season, including a 65-61 win over Kentucky, Kansas has dropped its last two to Washington, 74-65, and Arizona State, 95-85. The Jayhawks open Big 12 play December 29 at Texas.
De Sousa says he want “to get there really, really bad,” and believes he can make an instant impact — a national title push — but is forced to play the waiting game until his testing score is available this Friday. If eligible, the coveted forward will discuss the matter with his legal guardian.
“If he gets it then it’s a conversation, if he doesn’t he’s staying,” IMG Academy coach Sean McAloon told 247sports. “I think it’s probably 50-50. There are pros to going and pros to staying.
“I know Kansas wants him and I think they could probably use him and we could probably use him, too. Either way you can’t tell a kid it’s a bad decision, he should do what he wants to do and he’s handled it like a pro. He’s not talking much about it. He’s really focused on the present, which is really cool. If he goes he gets to play for a Hall of Famer.”
In the 96-60 beatdown of Bishop McNamara, De Sousa had 20 points (9-for-13 shooting) and 14 rebounds in 29 minutes. In the 72-65 win over MSA No. 4 St. John’s (D.C.), he went for 28 points (11-for-12 shooting), 11 rebounds, three assists and three blocks.
De Sousa is a physical specimen and physically ready for not just college, but the NBA, his coach says. His athleticism is off the charts and, given his size and brute strength, can stretch defenses with his ability to get out and run and hit shots from behind the arc. It’s the mental side that needs nurturing.
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Silvio (@SilvioDeSousa5) doing Silvio things ? https://t.co/QJ3Q6TVgEy
“It’s tough to go into Big 12 play,” McAloon added. “You can’t just throw a kid into Big 12 play and he’s a kid that wants to play. If he’s playing 10 minutes a game, it’s great for Kansas, but he would not like that.”
De Sousa, who picked Kansas over Maryland, remains focused on the present and said this hasn’t been a distraction by any measure, but doesn’t sweep his eagerness under the rug when talking about his future destination, sometime this month or next fall.
“One thing I love about Kansas is the campus,” De Sousa said. “Once I got there, the school in general made me feel like they’ve known me like 10 years or more. That’s the thing I really love.”
De Sousa, native of Angola, came to the United States in December 2015 for greater opportunity. The cultural difference was a rocky transition at first, since De Sousa didn’t know a smidgen of English and the American way was foreign.
“In the beginning, it was hard,” De Sousa said. “Communicating with people was hard.”
At first, basketball was all he paid attention to. As time progressed, De Sousa has gained greater appreciation for life off the court, which eases any anxiety about the want to enroll early, because he’s in good hands regardless.
He has dreams of playing in the NBA, and he’s on that trajectory. If that doesn’t work out, De Sousa said he wants to be a doctor or go into business.
“When I came here, I had basketball on my mind. But then I realized myself, and what [the United States] offered,” De Sousa said. “That school comes first, then basketball. Basketball drives me here, like a vehicle. I’m excited to be apart of [the] Jayhawks. I just want to get there soon.”
