Bobby Pettiford, Jr., the 6-foot-1, 190-pound guard from Durham, N.C., had somewhat of a frustrating season at Kansas. Pettiford, Jr., who attended South Granville High School, appeared in just 14 games, due to injury, during his freshman season in Lawrence. Overall, Pettiford, Jr., averaged 8.0 minutes and 1.4 points in 14 games played in 2021-22, before season-ending surgery on February 24. He scored a career-high 5 points against Michigan State on November 9, logged a career-high 20 minutes against Stony Brook on November 18, made a career-high two field goals and field goals attempted in that same game, and had a career-high one three-point field goal attempt against West Virginia on January 15 against West Virginia, had career-highs in free-throws attempts/made against Tarleton State on January 12, had career-highs in rebounds and assists against Stony Brook, and a career-high 1 steal against Iona on November 28.
In 2020-21, helped South Granville High School to a 12-4 record, averaging 19.8 points, 6.4 assists, 4.7 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game under coach Jake Wohlfeil. Additionally, Pettiford, Jr., earned N.C. Basketball Coaches Association All-State honors and was also named to the North Carolina roster for the 2021 Carolinas Classic All-Star Game. Furthermore, due to COVID-19, the 2021 Carolina Classic All-Star Game was canceled. Pettiford, Jr., is South Granville’s all-time leader in scoring with 1,944 career points, assists (615) and steals (288). Back in 2019-20, Pettiford, Jr., set the school season records in points (677), assists (230), and steals (95).
Pettiford, while at South Granville, was part of two conference championships, two conference tournament titles, two conference player of the year awards, and a school-record 79 wins. As a junior, he earned all-state honors where he averaged 21.8 points, 7.4 assists, 6.0 rebounds, and 2.9 steals in helping South Granville to a 30-1 record and the NCHSSAA Class 2A state semifinals. Pettiford, Jr., as a sophomore, averaged 19.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.3 steals.
As most of you probably remember, Bobby Pettiford, Jr.,, is a player that Coach Self has talked about quite a bit in the past. This is a player that the coaching staff expects to make a major impact during his time at Kansas. Because there wasn't a huge sample size last season, I just went back and looked and some videos of Pettiford from his time on the AAU circuit and his time in high school. First off, I think that he's the type of player that can bring a different dimension, in terms of his firey attitude and excitement, when it comes to the game. In some of the highlights that I saw, Pettfiord, Jr., displayed some emotion and energy when on the court, which to me, is absolutely a good thing.
On the court, one of the things that really stood out to me was his ability to get to the basket and score through contact. Also, when he takes the time to square up his body and follow through with his shot, he's got a good-looking stroke. I'm not sure if you remember or not, but early last season, Pettiford, Jr., logged double-digits minutes against Michigan State, Tarleton State, Stony Brook, North Texas, Iona, and Kentucky.
Had it not been for his injury, I'm guessing that Pettiford, Jr., would have played a role on a team that won a National Championship last season. Now, as you all know, anyone can score, but it's how you perform on the defensive end of the court, when it comes to playing for Bill Self, that will earn you minutes. I think that will be the biggest thing for Pettiford, Jr., especially early on this upcoming season. He hasn't appeared in an actual game since February 14, 2022. Against Oklahoma State, he played one minute and didn't record a single stat.
When Pettiford, Jr., backed out of his commitment to Louisville and signed with Kansas, here is what Bill Self had to say about the talented guard.
“We were very fortunate when Bobby opened up his recruitment last month. He became a priority immediately,” Self said. “We feel Bobby has a tremendous future, great upside, and will make an immediate impact for us. His work ethic and drive are something I think every program hopes every player has.”
Pettiford, Jr., without question, is a player the coaching staff has high hopes for this season and beyond. Obviously, Kanas has a lot of talent in the backcourt, but it wouldn't surprise me at all if Pettiford, Jr., emerges as a player off the bench for Kansas during the upcoming season.
In 2020-21, helped South Granville High School to a 12-4 record, averaging 19.8 points, 6.4 assists, 4.7 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game under coach Jake Wohlfeil. Additionally, Pettiford, Jr., earned N.C. Basketball Coaches Association All-State honors and was also named to the North Carolina roster for the 2021 Carolinas Classic All-Star Game. Furthermore, due to COVID-19, the 2021 Carolina Classic All-Star Game was canceled. Pettiford, Jr., is South Granville’s all-time leader in scoring with 1,944 career points, assists (615) and steals (288). Back in 2019-20, Pettiford, Jr., set the school season records in points (677), assists (230), and steals (95).
Pettiford, while at South Granville, was part of two conference championships, two conference tournament titles, two conference player of the year awards, and a school-record 79 wins. As a junior, he earned all-state honors where he averaged 21.8 points, 7.4 assists, 6.0 rebounds, and 2.9 steals in helping South Granville to a 30-1 record and the NCHSSAA Class 2A state semifinals. Pettiford, Jr., as a sophomore, averaged 19.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.3 steals.
As most of you probably remember, Bobby Pettiford, Jr.,, is a player that Coach Self has talked about quite a bit in the past. This is a player that the coaching staff expects to make a major impact during his time at Kansas. Because there wasn't a huge sample size last season, I just went back and looked and some videos of Pettiford from his time on the AAU circuit and his time in high school. First off, I think that he's the type of player that can bring a different dimension, in terms of his firey attitude and excitement, when it comes to the game. In some of the highlights that I saw, Pettfiord, Jr., displayed some emotion and energy when on the court, which to me, is absolutely a good thing.
On the court, one of the things that really stood out to me was his ability to get to the basket and score through contact. Also, when he takes the time to square up his body and follow through with his shot, he's got a good-looking stroke. I'm not sure if you remember or not, but early last season, Pettiford, Jr., logged double-digits minutes against Michigan State, Tarleton State, Stony Brook, North Texas, Iona, and Kentucky.
Had it not been for his injury, I'm guessing that Pettiford, Jr., would have played a role on a team that won a National Championship last season. Now, as you all know, anyone can score, but it's how you perform on the defensive end of the court, when it comes to playing for Bill Self, that will earn you minutes. I think that will be the biggest thing for Pettiford, Jr., especially early on this upcoming season. He hasn't appeared in an actual game since February 14, 2022. Against Oklahoma State, he played one minute and didn't record a single stat.
When Pettiford, Jr., backed out of his commitment to Louisville and signed with Kansas, here is what Bill Self had to say about the talented guard.
“We were very fortunate when Bobby opened up his recruitment last month. He became a priority immediately,” Self said. “We feel Bobby has a tremendous future, great upside, and will make an immediate impact for us. His work ethic and drive are something I think every program hopes every player has.”
Pettiford, Jr., without question, is a player the coaching staff has high hopes for this season and beyond. Obviously, Kanas has a lot of talent in the backcourt, but it wouldn't surprise me at all if Pettiford, Jr., emerges as a player off the bench for Kansas during the upcoming season.
