Kansas head coach Bill Self hospitalized, will miss Big 12 Tournament [Updated]

Kansas Jayhawks head coach Bill Self won’t be on the sidelines for the Big 12 Tournament quarterfinals after being hospitalized with an undisclosed illness.

The Kansas Jayhawks will begin their play in the 2023 Big 12 Tournament on Thursday as the No. 1 seed and regular season champions open up against West Virginia. Head coach Bill Self won’t be on the sidelines for that contest, though.

On Thursday morning, reports of a health scare for the 60-year-old Self began circulating stating that he was admitted to the hospital.

The university confirmed that, releasing a statement that said Bill Self was recovering from an illness in the University of Kansas Health System and would miss Thursday’s Kansas basketball game against West Virginia. Assistant Norm Roberts will take over for the head coaching duties in Self’s stead.

Bill Self update: What was Kansas head coach hospitalized because of?

The statement from the university did not include any details about the illness that Self was dealing with. Reports from around the program, however, have offered some minor clarity on the situation and it’s quite scary for the Kansas head coach.

Zach Martin of the NBC affiliate in Wichita reported that Self “suffered a vascular event” which led to him being admitted to the hospital. It is unknown if that was a heart attack, a stroke or something less serious, but noted it’s good that the word is he’s recovering.

Given that we don’t know the severity of the situation with Self’s health, it’s impossible to speculate as to when he’ll be released or if he’ll be able to coach on Friday for the semifinals of the Big 12 Tournament if Kansas were to advance.

All we can do is wish Bill Self, his family, and the Kansas basketball program well during a difficult situation and hope for a speedy recovery for the Jayhawks head coach.

Update, March 9 – 5:50 p.m. ET: On Thursday afternoon, the University of Kansas Health System and Self released a statement. He did not suffer a heart attack, as had been rumored, and is expected to make a full recovery after a routine procedure. He will not coach for the remainder of the Big 12 Tournament.

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