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Kansas Jayhawks Dive Into NIL-Driven Players Era Festival, Coach Self Seeks Smarter Play

LAS VEGAS, NV – The Kansas Jayhawks basketball team is set to make their debut at the second annual Players Era Festival in Las Vegas this week. This year’s event has expanded significantly, featuring 18 teams compared to last year’s eight. Kansas will play three games, beginning with matchups against Notre Dame and Syracuse.

The Players Era Festival distinguishes itself from traditional multi-team events (MTEs) by offering participating teams significant NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) opportunities. Each team receives $1 million in NIL funds for player compensation, with an additional prize pool for the top four finishers. The winner stands to gain an extra $1 million, while second, third, and fourth place will receive $500,000, $300,000, and $200,000 respectively.

Head Coach Bill Self emphasized the importance of embracing NIL opportunities like the Players Era Festival. “I think it’s going to be a necessity to play in true NIL opportunities,” Self stated, highlighting the potential benefits for players and the program. He also suggested that other MTEs like the Maui Invitational, which has seen a decline in the quality of competition in recent years, might need to adapt to the NIL landscape to remain competitive.

Adding to the challenges, the Jayhawks are navigating roster adjustments due to Darryn Peterson’s injury. Self indicated that the starting lineup used in the last two games, featuring Melvin Council Jr., Kohl Rosario, Tre White, Bryson Tiller, and Flory Bidunga, is likely to continue until Peterson returns. With limited forward depth on the bench, Coach Self has urged the team to make smarter plays and limit fouls, particularly among the forwards. “It’s not only smart fouling decisions [from the forwards], it’s learning how to play without fouling,” he said, underscoring the need for improved perimeter defense to protect the big men.

Despite the adjustments, the Jayhawks arrived in Las Vegas prepared, with scouting reports ready for both Notre Dame and Syracuse. Coach Self expressed confidence in his team’s ability to adapt to the uncertainty of their third opponent, highlighting the team’s toughness and resilience. “Life is full of adjustments,” he said. “If you can’t adjust to that, then you probably don’t have a very tough team.”

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