LAWRENCE — Memphis forward Tarik Black is transferring to Kansas and will be eligible to play immediately.
Black has graduated from Memphis and has one year of eligibility left.
Last season, Black started five of 32 games played for Memphis and averaged 8.1 points and 4.8 rebounds. His 58.9 field goal percentage was second on the team. He had 20 blocked shots and 22 steals at the power forward position.
“He will be a huge addition both physically and emotionally, especially from a leadership standpoint, as he will be the most experienced guy on our team entering next season,” Kansas coach Bill Self said.
Black was a major recruit when he landed at Memphis out of high school, and while he’s been solid, he never blossomed into a star. For his career, he has averaged 9.3 points and 4.9 rebounds and made 60 starts.
“Tarik has played in a ton of big games and certainly has had good experience at Memphis,” Self said. “He’s used to winning and can help us in both of our big positions. He can play the four and the five and we look forward to moving him around. He’ll be an impact player that certainly changes the outlook of our team and makes us more versatile.”
Black joins a frontcourt that already has sophomore Perry Ellis and redshirt freshman Landen Lucas.
Kansas has also landed one of the top recruiting classes in the nation, which includes highly touted guard Andrew Wiggins, rated by many analysts as the No. 1 recruit in the country.
All the additions should help the Jayhawks continue to be a Final Four contender after the loss of star freshman Ben McLemore, who entered the NBA draft, and four seniors.