Former Kansas center Jeff Withey’s professional basketball career continues at age 34

Former Kansas basketball center Jeff Withey has signed a contract to play for the Taipei Fubon Braves of the Taiwanese Plus League during the 2024-25 season, the team has announced.

No contract terms for the one-year deal were announced.

Withey, a 7-foot, 230-pound, 34-year-old native of San Diego, has five years of NBA experience, playing for New Orleans, Utah and Dallas from 2013-18. He played for a team in the Korean Basketball League a year ago.

“Withey has five years of NBA experience and is a team player. We hope his presence will bolster our defense and enhance our inside game,” coach Chin-Tse Hsu said in a release.

The Portland Trail Blazers selected Withey in the second round (39th overall) of the 2013 NBA Draft before trading him to the New Orleans Pelicans. Withey will join fellow American players Nick King, Brandon Walters and Jordan Hamilton on the Braves roster.

Withey averaged 6.0 points and 4.2 rebounds in 52 games last season for Wonju DB of the South Korean KBL League. He also played for Hapoel Tel Aviv in the Israeli league.

Withey has played pro ball on three different continents (Europe, Asia, North America) and in seven different countries. He has played pro ball in Greece (Lavrio), Israel (Ironi Nes Ziona), Spain (Surne Bilbao) and Turkey (Tofas) as well as the NBA.

He was voted Eurobasket.com all-FIBA Europe Cup Center of the Year in 2020.

He played at KU from the 2009-10 season through the 2012-13 campaign.

“The scouts describe him as a versatile player who can play multiple positions,” read a scouting report at Eurobasket News. “He has great speed and agility, allowing him to make quick plays and cover a lot of ground. His decision-making skills are top-notch, and he has a high basketball IQ. He excels in creating mismatches and exploiting the gaps between defenders. He is a team player who is always looking to make the right play and help his teammates succeed. During games, he is known for his intensity and competitiveness, always giving his all on the court. He is a 7-footer who is active around the basket, especially on the defensive end with a strong shot-blocking presence. Solid post moves with the ability to step out and bury a jumper.”

Withey averaged 8.0 points and 5.4 rebounds in his KU career. He averaged 13.7 points, 8.5 rebounds and 3.9 blocks per game his senior year (2012-13). He was a junior starter in 2011-12 when KU reached the national title game, falling to Kentucky.

Malik Newman to play in China

Former Kansas guard Malik Newman has signed a one-year contract with the Jilin Northeast Tigers, a professional basketball team based in Changchun, Jilin, China, the team announced.

The team competes in the North Division of the Chinese Basketball Association.

Newman, a 6-3, 180-pound, 27-year-old native of Jackson, Mississippi, averaged 16.4 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game in 22 games last season for Avtodor Saratov of Russia’s VTB United League. Newman also played for the Zhejiang Golden Bulls during the 2023-24 campaign.

Newman, who is beginning his seventh season in pro basketball after playing one year at KU (2017-18) and one at Mississippi State (2015-16) has also competed in Israel (Ironi Nahariya) and Turkey (Bursaspor) as well as the NBA and NBA G League.

He played in two games for the NBA’s Miami Heat in 2018-19 and one for the Cleveland Cavs in both 2019-20 and 2021-22.

Newman averaged 14.2 points and 5.0 rebounds in 39 games at KU in 2017-18. The Jayhawks reached the 2018 Final Four where they lost to Villanova in the national semifinals.