Here’s why former Vandy, Rice guard Noah Shelby is enjoying ‘development year’ at KU

After playing college basketball for one season each at Vanderbilt and Rice, Noah Shelby is redshirting the 2024-25 campaign at Big 12 blueblood Kansas.

Shelby, a 6-foot-3, 185-pound junior combo guard from McKinney, Texas, says practicing in Hall of Fame coach Bill Self’s system while being withheld from games has aided his development as a player.

Shelby will have two years of NCAA eligibility left, starting in the 2025-26 season.

“I would definitely describe it as a blessing, just using it as a development year and getting to know what the coaches want and what they value, and also what Kansas values as a whole,” Shelby said in a Jayhawk radio network interview conducted before KU’s 87-53 victory over Brown on Sunday at Allen Fieldhouse.

“Being able to do a test run for a year without any expectations is good so I’m ready for next year,” Shelby added.

Shelby joined KU’s team as an invited walk-on after a 2023-24 season in which he averaged 3.9 points per game in 30 games for the (11-21) Rice Owls. He started one game while logging 11.5 minutes per contest.

Shelby — he scored in double figures in three games — hit 23 of 69 three-point attempts for 33.3%. He made 18 of 21 free throws for 85.7%.

He had a career-high 14 points and four assists against St. Thomas on Nov. 7, 2013, and also had four assists versus SMU on Feb. 7. He scored seven points and contributed two steals against Texas and hit three 3s and finished with 10 points against Tulsa.

Shelby, who made at least one 3-pointer in 16 games, finished last season with 24 assists to 19 turnovers.

“I think shooting is definitely my best attribute,” he said. “I think I can shoot with anybody. So I think that’s something fans will be able to see next year. Also be able to play off ball screens, too, and facilitate the ball. So those are two things I really want to bring to the team next year.”

Shelby averaged 3.7 points in 14 games for Vanderbilt in 2022-23. He converted 16 of 51 shots (31.4%) and went 14-of-45 from 3-point range (31.1%).

Ranked No. 88 in the high school recruiting class of 2022 by Rivals.com, Shelby averaged 22.7 points per game in his senior year at the Greenhill School in Dallas. That followed a junior year in which he averaged 31.1 points per contest.

He chose Vanderbilt over the likes of Baylor, Texas, Stanford, Oklahoma State, Arizona, Arizona State and Arkansas in recruiting.

“It’s been very inspiring, knowing you’re playing for a Hall of Fame coach who has done it numerous times,” Shelby said of playing now for Bill Self. “Playing for a program that’s had a lot of tradition of NBA players and national championships ... it’s different for me.

“My first two schools weren’t like that, so playing for a school where winning is celebrated, but also an expectation, is a big blessing.”

Playing on the Red (scout) team at practice has put Shelby in position to test his game against KU’s rotation players.

“I’ve seen a lot of improvements since I got here in June,” he said. “The good thing about our team is everybody loves each other. Everybody gets along. When everybody likes each other it’s easier to mesh.

“And I think every new team with a lot of new faces is going to take some time to get it all together. Everybody around the country is dealing with that, too.

“But I think every day I see a lot of improvement, especially from the transfers. They were playing multiple years at other schools with different systems. But when they come here, everything’s gotten better since we’ve been going since June. So I think everything’s good.”

He said he’s at peace with his decision to leave Rice for KU. The Jayhawks are 9-2 heading into the Big 12 portion of their 2024-25 schedule.

“I’m enjoying being being a Jayhawk a lot so far,” he said. “I decided to come here after leaving Rice. My coach (Scot Pera) got fired and the opportunity arose, so I took it. I wasn’t scared of the redshirt for a year, use it as like a development year to get better so I could contribute next year.”

Shelby comes from an athletic family. His dad, Derrick, is a former standout basketball player at Osawatomie (Kansas) High who went on to play hoops at UT-Arlington. Shelby’s mom, Fannie, played volleyball at UT-Arlington.

“I have family in Kansas, (so) I went to some games and Late Night when I was younger,” Shelby told The Star after signing with KU on May 20. “I was able to visit there before (as a recruit in the class of 2022). I know a lot about the team and coach Self is there.

“I wanted to go somewhere I can get better, win games, win a national championship. Coach (Self) said to use the year to get better. I think it’ll be fun. Kansas is one of the most talented teams in the country and one of the deepest teams.”

Of the team’s three-day Christmas break, Shelby said: “I’ll be back in Dallas. We’ll have a dinner and obviously open presents on Christmas Day and all that stuff, but nothing too crazy. We’re all looking forward to being home then getting back here (to campus).”

The Jayhawks will gather for practice Thursday at Allen Fieldhouse. Their next game is against West Virginia (1 p.m., New Year’s Eve, Allen Fieldhouse).