If the NCAA lets him play, Josh Selby's spectacular skills could make Kansas a Final Four contender.
In the meantime, he and the Jayhawks just wait for any word.
Coach Bill Self said at Kansas' media day on Tuesday there had been no developments in the drawn-out case involving questions of academics and amateurism for his prized 6-foot-2 freshman point guard.
''We've been instructed not to talk about it until we have information and we don't have information yet,'' Self said. ''We do believe it's coming to a head. But we don't know when or what.''
For about three weeks, Selby was not even allowed to enroll. But since early September, the McDonald's All-American, rated No. 1 in the nation by Rivals.com, has been going to class and working out with his teammates. He will be able to take part when formal practice starts on Friday.
But the NCAA has not said when, or if, he will be able to play in games. The Jayhawks, picked second in the Big 12 in preseason polls, open on Nov. 12.
''We hope to have a resolution to it sooner rather than later. But I don't know when that will be,'' Self said. ''I certainly understand why this has taken a little bit of time but I do think there will be a positive conclusion. Hopefully, shortly. But I don't now that to be a fact.''
Speaking to the media for the first time since he arrived on campus last summer, Selby admitted all the uncertainty has taken an emotional toll.
''It was pretty lonely at first,'' he said. ''But my teammates stayed behind me, supported me, motivated me being there, relaxing my mind, taking it out of my mind. I'm just thankful I have the teammates I have because without them, I wouldn't have made it through this.''
An extraordinary playmaker, Selby will step right in to replace departed Sherron Collins at point guard if the NCAA grants his eligibility. Aside from academics, there is also an issue regarding his association with Robert Frazier, the business manager for Denver Nuggets star Carmelo Anthony.
The NCAA rules on prospects consulting with agents are foggy. Selby's mother says Frazier is someone she has known since grade school and that he merely helped the family through the difficult recruiting process as a friendly adviser.
NCAA bylaws state that athletes can have contact with agents as long as they do not ''agree verbally or in writing to be represented by an athlete agent in the present or in the future for the purpose of marketing the student-athlete's ability or reputation.''
Asked what qualities he brings to a team, Selby paused a moment to think.
`Toughness,'' he said. ''Somebody who can lead you, somebody who's going to motivate you to hard work and can score, not just play. I want to win. That's my big concern, winning.''
Leadership could be a problem for the Jayhawks, who have won the last six Big 12 championships but are picked second this season behind Kansas State. They lost Collins and Cole Aldrich, a second- and third-team All-America respectively, and freshman Xavier Henry.
Self said he will be looking to the Morris twins, Marcus and Markieff, for some leadership.
''Josh brings a lot of that to the able on his own, maybe like no other player we've had since I've been here at this stage of his career,'' Self said. ''A lot depends on him, what his status is because he certainly brings a lot of the same attributes that Sherron did.''
