LAWRENCE, Kan. — The University of Kansas men’s basketball program on Wednesday announced the signing of three additions to the team.
Forward Cam Martin has signed a financial aid agreement to play basketball at Kansas, KU head coach Bill Self announced Wednesday. Martin will be a fifth-year senior at KU in 2021-22.
Martin (6-foot-9, 240 pounds) was a two-time NCAA Division II All-America and MIAA All-Conference First Team his junior and senior seasons at Missouri Southern. In 2020-21 the Yukon, Oklahoma, native averaged 25.0 points and 9.0 rebounds per game at Missouri Southern where he was coached by former Kansas standout guard Jeff Boschee. His senior season he made 58% from the field and 45% from three-point range on 110 attempts.
“Cam is going to bring a lot of versatility to our frontcourt, allowing us to play with space and size,” Self said. “Jeff Boschee runs a solid program at Missouri Southern and knows exactly what it takes to play at this level. We’re very excited that Cam is coming to Kansas and look forward to the positive impact he will have on this team.”
As a junior, Martin led the MIAA in scoring, rebounds, double-doubles, while ranking second in blocked shots and field goal percentage. He averaged 24.1 points, 9.2 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game while shooting 58% from the field and 81% from the free throw line in 2019-20.
Martin is Missouri Southern’s second-leading career scorer with 2,040 points. He played three seasons at Missouri Southern after transferring from Jacksonville State following his freshman year.
Martin will graduate from MSSU in May 2021 and will work toward a master’s degree while at KU.
Forward Sydney Curry has signed a national letter of intent to play basketball at Kansas, Self announced Wednesday. Curry is a junior college transfer and will have two years of eligibility at KU.
Curry (6-foot-8, 260 pounds) committed to Kansas last November and is known for his strength and high motor down low. The Fort Wayne, Indiana, native plays junior college basketball for John A. Logan College in Carterville, Illinois, and will be playing in the NJCAA National Tournament, April 19-24, in Hutchinson, Kansas. Logan is coached by Kyle Smithpeters.
“Sydney is going to bring size, strength and athleticism to our frontcourt, giving us another rim protector,” Self said. “He’s a big man that can play above the rim and has shown the ability to have a big presence inside. Sydney has been developed very well while at Logan and is making a big impact as they continue to play in the upcoming JUCO national tournament.”
Through 19 games this season, Curry has averaged 13.1 points and 8.2 rebounds per game on 68.8% shooting. As a freshman, Curry averaged 13.5 points and 8.3 rebounds per game while shooting 74% from the field. He was named the 2020 Great Rivers Athletic Conference (GRAC) Freshman of the Year and an all-conference and All-Region 24 selection.
Guard Joseph Yesufu has signed a financial aid agreement to play basketball at Kansas, Self announced Wednesday. Yesufu is a transfer from Drake and will be eligible for three seasons at Kansas.
Yesufu (6-foot, 180 pounds) is an explosive guard with great range and speed. He averaged 12.8 points per game this past season for Drake and was even more impressive down the stretch averaging 23.2 points during the final nine games of the year. The Bolingbrook, Illinois, native scored 30-points twice against Evansville, including a career-high 36 on Feb. 22.
“Joseph is an explosive, dynamic scoring guard that will allow us to play an up-tempo, aggressive style on both ends of the floor,” Self said. “He ended last season playing at a high level, including winning an NCAA tournament game and propelling Drake to a great season.”
Yesufu started the last seven games of the 2020-21 season, including four post-season contests, and was the 2021 Missouri Valley Conference Sixth Man of the Year and was chosen to the league’s all-bench and most improved teams. He was also named to the 2021 MVC All-Tournament and was a league scholar athlete. Drake finished 26-5 in 2020-21.
Kansas men’s basketball signees
KJ Adams (Fr., 6-7, 200, F, Austin, Texas, Westlake HS)
Zach Clemence (Fr., 6-10, 215, F, San Antonio, Texas, Sunrise Christian Academy [Kan.])
Sydney Curry (Jr., 6-8, 260, F, Fort Wayne, Ind., Northrop HS, John A. Logan College)
Cam Martin (Sr., 6-9, 240, F, Yukon, Okla., Yukon HS, Missouri Southern)
Joseph Yesufu (6-0, 180, G, Bolingbrook, Ill., Bolingbrook HS, Drake)
