Kansas Jayhawks open annual Bill Self Boot Camp

By Phil Watson | Sep 15, 2014

Mar 14, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas Jayhawks head coach Bill Self reacts to play during the second half against the Iowa State Cyclones in the semifinals of the Big 12 Conference college basketball tournament at Sprint Center. Iowa State won 94-83. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /

With NCAA teams allowed to start basketball practice two weeks earlier than before, it makes sense then that the Kansas Jayhawks reported Monday for coach Bill Self’s annual Boot Camp.

The session lasts two weeks, beginning at 6 a.m. Monday through Friday.

According to KUSports.com, the sessions include an hour of sprints, backboard touches, defensive drills and slides.

More from Mens Basketball

And no basketballs.

Former Kansas guard Keith Langford, now a professional player in Russia, said via email:

"“It’s almost like being in a torture device from Jigsaw from one of the ‘Saw’ movies. I haven’t had to give birth, so there’s that. Seriously, it’s right up there.”"

Current players acknowledge that the early call is perhaps the toughest part of it. Collegians are renowned for turning in around 5 a.m., not getting up then.

"“Just because of the mental aspect of it, getting ready for it in your own head,” forward Hunter Mickelson said, if asked if he was dreading the experience. “After you get done with the first day, waking up at 5:30, 5:00 to get here at 6, I think after we get that done, we’ll be fine.“After the first day, it’ll be fine. We’ll just have to grind it and get through it.”"

Self said the goals for the sessions are always the same.

"“Get our guys in the best condition as possible. Get them to be a little more responsible, tougher and rely on each other, become a closer team.“You accomplish some toughness things together, some things we draw from every year in February, March. It gives us an air of toughness we can get through things and it’s a great method of teaching defensive slides and things like that.”"

Kansas opens its season on Nov. 3 with an exhibition against Washburn and plays its first regular-season contest on Nov. 14 against UC Santa Barbara at Allen Fieldhouse.

More on FanSided.com
Georges Niang to lead Iowa State next season
Richard Pitino to Minnesota fans: Don’t trust my dad
Nebraska Hoops: Can the Huskers keep trending up in ’14?
Texas basketball player hits girlfriend four times
CBB: Preseason Big 12 power rankings and predictions