Malik Newman to Kansas: Latest Transfer Details, Comments and Reaction

The University of Kansas landed one of the top recruits from the class of 2015 on Friday, as guard Malik Newman officially announced his decision to transfer from Mississippi State to play for the Jayhawks. 

According to ESPN.com's Jeff Goodman, Newman was recruited by Kansas out of high school, and he will join the elite program after a disappointing freshman season with the Bulldogs.

Following his announcement, Newman explained the reasoning behind transferring to Kansas, per Goodman: "I'm glad they wanted me again. I love the basketball culture at Kansas, the way [head coach] Bill Self holds guys accountable and love the atmosphere."

Newman averaged 11.3 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists last season at Mississippi State while shooting just 39.1 percent from the field.

He decided to return to college after withdrawing his name from the 2016 NBA draft, and he believes Kansas is the right place for him to rebuild his value after things didn't click at Mississippi State, according to Goodman:

"

I can't lie. I was playing at times with a sense of worrying about making a mistake, and that's not the way I need to be playing. ... 

[Kansas] just said they want me to get back to the player I was. I told the staff that I don't need to play the point. They just want me to handle the ball, make plays and make the team better. That's what they sold me on.

"

Jayhawks announcer Brian Hanni believes Newman's potential at Kansas is limitless:

Newman will sit out the 2016-17 season under transfer rules, but he has an opportunity to be a key contributor in 2017-18, especially since starting guard Frank Mason III is entering his senior season.

The Jayhawks are perennial championship contenders, and the 2017-18 campaign could represent their best chance in recent memory to win it all, as they'll add an elite talent with college experience to a roster that already promises to be stacked.

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