Former Lawrence High basketball standout Zeke Mayo, known for his impressive scoring prowess with an average of 18.8 points per game this past season and 18.2 ppg in the 2022-23 campaign at South Dakota State, has officially committed to joining KU’s basketball program. Coach Bill Self revealed Thursday that Mayo, a 6-foot-4, 185-pound senior-to-be combo guard and reigning Summit League Player of the Year, has signed a financial aid agreement with the Jayhawks.
Self highlighted Mayo’s remarkable career at SDSU, where he showcased his talent by leading the team to the NCAA Tournament twice in three seasons, accumulating a total of 1,576 career points and making 231 3-pointers. Self emphasized Mayo’s proficiency as a proven shooter, having made 92 3-pointers last season alone, underscoring his potential to significantly contribute in that aspect for KU. As a local talent, Mayo’s decision to don the Kansas jersey holds special significance for him and his family.
Mayo’s choice to join the Jayhawks comes after weighing offers from Creighton, Oklahoma, and Texas. Despite earlier considerations to enter both the 2024 NBA Draft and the NCAA transfer portal, Mayo confirmed his commitment to KU for the upcoming 2024-25 season. In his just-completed junior campaign, Mayo demonstrated his versatility, shooting 46.6% from the field and 39.1% from beyond the arc, while also averaging 5.7 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game.
The Lawrence native’s decision to remain at SDSU for another year paid dividends as he led the Jackrabbits to a Summit League title and secured their seventh NCAA Tournament appearance. Mayo’s achievements have garnered recognition, including being co-recipient of the 2021 DiRenna Award, alongside Mark Mitchell of Bishop Miege, which celebrates the top boys basketball player in the Kansas City area.
With the addition of Mayo and other notable transfers like AJ Storr and Riley Kugel, along with incoming freshmen, KU’s roster for the 2024-25 season is shaping up with 13 scholarship players. Among the returnees are key contributors such as KJ Adams, Dajuan Harris, and Zach Clemence, providing a solid foundation for the team’s upcoming campaign.
