Social Media Backlash Haunts Kansas Player After Tough Loss

LAWRENCE, Kan. — Zeke Mayo, a senior guard for the Kansas Jayhawks, faced a barrage of hateful social media messages after his team’s 78-73 loss to No. 10 Texas Tech on Saturday. Following a disappointing performance in which Mayo scored only five points on 1-of-7 shooting, he took to social media to express his frustration and apologize to fans.

Mayo wrote, “I 100% deserve all the criticism in the world. My performance was beyond pitiful today, and has been for a while now. I work my ass off every day to be great, but I can’t be perfect all the time. I’m sorry to our fans and my teammates; I will continue to get better.” Along with this apology, he shared screenshots of messages he received, which included threats of violence and racist comments.

In a show of solidarity, fellow senior guard expressed support for Mayo, stating on social media, “It ain’t nothing to explain brotha I got yo back.” Kansas Athletic Director Travis Goff condemned the hateful messages, saying, “These aren’t Jayhawks. They’re not ours. Driven by gambling and hate. They’ve never competed a day in their life. To Zeke and all our guys — the Jayhawk family loves you and will always ride with you through thick and thin.”

The Jayhawks dropped to 19-10 overall and 10-8 in the Big 12 following the loss, marking their third defeat at Allen Fieldhouse this season. Coach Bill Self later addressed the media, emphasizing the need for focused support. “Any criticism about the team should be directed at me. I’m the head coach,” he stated in a late-night message on Kansas’ social media platforms.

Mayo, who is averaging 14.3 points this season, has struggled in recent weeks, with three single-digit scoring results in the last four games. His overall performance has declined from a promising start to the season, raising concerns about team morale as they close out their regular season.

The Jayhawks have two games remaining with a road contest against Houston on Monday and a home finale against Arizona next Saturday. After starting the season with high expectations, including being ranked No. 1 in the preseason polls, the team now faces its second consecutive year with double-digit losses before entering tournament play.

Despite the adversity, Mayo remains a key figure for the team. He transferred from South Dakota State, where he earned Summit League Player of the Year honors, and has made a significant impact at Kansas with averages of 14.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game.