Kansas junior guard Little won't apply for medical hardship

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) -- Kansas guard Mario Little is going to play out the season instead of applying for a medical hardship because of injuries that caused him to miss the first 12 games.

Kansas coach Bill Self said Little told him about his decision Tuesday morning.

"Mario slept on it after yesterday's practice and this morning informed me he feels great and definitely wants to play and help this year's team," Self said.

The junior made his first appearance of the season Jan. 3 against Tennessee, recording five rebounds and two assists in 10 minutes. He played five minutes against Sienna on Jan. 6 and was on the floor for seven minutes against Michigan State on Saturday before fouling out.

Little is the 2008-09 Big 12 Preseason Newcomer of the Year. He broke his hand in practice Dec. 16, less than two weeks after he returned from a stress fracture in his left leg.

Little averaged 15.2 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game while at Chipola (Fla.) College and was ranked the No. 1 junior college player in the country before going to Kansas.

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