Bill Self and the Kansas Jayhawks might pivot to the international route to fill out the team’s remaining scholarships.

Of the three roster spots left, KU is prioritizing a backup big man, and a potential option is French 7-footer Brice Dessert.

According to 247 Sports reporter Michael Swain, Kansas is ‘heavily involved’ in the recruitment of Dessert.

Speculation around Dessert potentially joining KU is gaining traction, with both Swain and Shreyas Laddha of The Kansas City Star recently naming him as a possible target.

After playing with SIG Strasbourg in the LNB Élite this past season, Dessert is reportedly looking to explore the college route.

In 29 games in the 2024-25 season, Dessert averaged 9.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 0.9 blocks across 18.3 minutes per contest.

Standing at 7-foot, 245 pounds, Dessert is a physical big man with incredible length. His wingspan measured an eye-popping 7-foot-4 at the Adidas EuroCamp in Treviso.

During the event, he participated in three camp games, averaging 8.0 points and 7.0 rebounds.

While the Frenchman’s age (22) gives him a seasoned edge for a college player, how his eligibility would be determined is still uncertain.

Flory Bidunga is the projected starting center for the Jayhawks, though redshirt freshman Bryson Tiller is the only piece of depth in KU’s frontcourt. Dessert and Bidunga could form into a dominant one-two punch.

If he joins the roster, Dessert could play a valuable role off the bench or even share the floor with Bidunga in bigger lineups.

The Jayhawks have also been linked to other big-man options like Patrick Suemnick, but Dessert is undoubtedly a more intriguing and high-upside target.

Michigan State basketball legend Jason Richardson is now watching as his son, Jase Richardson, a fellow Spartan, prepares for the next level as he gets ready to hear his name called in this month’s NBA Draft.

Jase Richardson, of course, comes off his lone season at Michigan State, a place he almost didn’t go to, but he made his decision after visiting during the program’s annual “Grind Week,” where alumni return to campus, a story he discussed during his and his father’s recent appearance on “Podcast P with Paul George.”

He chose the Spartans, and it was a decision that Jason Richardson left up to him. Just as he had made his decision himself when he was going through the recruiting process over 25 years ago.

“I went through a similar thing where my whole family wanted me to go to Michigan,” Jason Richardson said on the podcast. “I grew up a University of Michigan fan. Fab Four (Five), watching Chris Webber, Jalen Rose, Juwan Howard, Ray Jackson.

“And when I went to Michigan State, I felt that brotherhood like he (Jase) felt. And that’s why I ended up (going) to Michigan State, and my family all wanted me to go to Michigan, but I made that decision on my own, and it turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to me.

“And so, when my son go through this, and I got a younger son, Jaxon, I want them to make a decision on their own to where they go because they got to feel that they could get better there, they could learn there, that could help them maybe get to the next level.”

Jason Richardson could have tried to direct his son to Michigan State, but as any good father would, he knew it wasn’t about him.

“When it’s all said and done, he’s the one that’s got to be at practice, he’s the one that’s got to be on campus, he’s the one that’s got to live in the snow when I’m in Miami in the beautiful sunshine weather,” Jase Richardson said. “And that’s his job for him to go through that process.”

It’s safe to say Jase Richardson’s decision worked out for everyone.

Keep up with the latest on Jase Richardson when you follow the official Spartan Nation page on Facebook, Spartan Nation, WHEN YOU CLICK RIGHT HERE, and feel free to share your thoughts when you join our community group, Go Green Go White, as well WHEN YOU CLICK RIGHT HERE.

Make sure to also follow us on X @MSUSpartansOnSI.

Only 3-4% of former foster youth obtain a four-year college degree according to The National Foster Youth Institute.

When WCCO met Michael Kelly a few years ago, he was a young student bucking that trend. He had not only graduated but had started medical school. 

WCCO sat down with Kelly again, to reflect on his childhood growing up with Duluth, Minnesota where his life was forever changed by a court-assigned worker. 

Here’s the full story: 

Life can change an in instant. 

For Michael Kelly, his life changed when a worried court-assigned worker found out he was living in a cold garage and eating out of a shoebox. 

“[the worker] said, “That’s not what life is supposed to be, we are gonna put you in a foster home,” Kelly recalls. 

Eventually at 17 and a half, Kelly moved out of that foster home and became homeless.

“I was a transient, couch surfer,” said Kelly. 

Amidst the rockiness, he’d always found stability in school. Kelly got a scholarship to St. John’s University.  

“During college, I always had to find opportunities, during Spring break, winter break find places to stay.  I didn’t have a place, I didn’t have a bedroom, I didn’t have – the next day wasn’t planned out for me it was just surviving,” said Kelly.

Against all odds, he got in to Medical school at the University of Minnesota.

But things got rocky again…

“I actually failed my first medical school test, by one point, I was devastated by 69%, needed 70% to pass and I was like, ‘I am done,’” said Kelly. 

But he didn’t let that derail him. 

Kelly didn’t just adjust, he thrived, helping launch a mentorship organization to support first generation students.

“I finally feel like I am in a position where I can give back. It took a lot of support from my village, but I am finally at the point I can give back and give to the community,” said Kelly. 

He explained the most emotional moment.

“Getting into Mayo was just something that blew my mind, extremely emotional for me,” said Kelly. 

A surprise that was recently revealed on residency match day.

“It was trials and tribulations but focusing on the why got me to where I am today and I am going to Mayo in two months, to be a doctor,” said Kelly. 

Kelly walked, and the people who’ve walked beside him, cheered, including his wife, who he met in college, and her family.

Kelly’s mother-in-law said, “He’s just a good person and it comes through in everything that he does.”

Kelly’s oldest friend, Mona Zeidan said, “He was very much a people pleaser and I’m not surprised he became a doctor, I am really not. He used to say when we were kids that he was gonna be a doctor and we’d chuckle about it and he did it, he did it.”

YES, he did.  

Kelly told WCCO, “I think at the end of the day I just want my patients to feel seen, valued and loved.”   

So after years of discomfort, this doctor is devoted to truly making make others feel good.

Kelly chose family medicine and wants to practice in a rural area. He says what he loves about that is that you can serve patients of all ages starting at birth and have long-term relationships.