AY2015-16 KUMBB Recruiting UPDATED 2016-07-18

The newbies are coming to town -- at least, we know some of them are.
Per Rivals:

HS PF Mitch Lightfoot (Rivals #107; ESPN #67) will leave AZ for Lawrence tomorrow (Friday).
Traditional transfer C Evan Maxwell (from Liberty U) arrives Sunday.
HS SG Josh Jackson, the No. 1 ranked player in the Rivals 2016 class (ESPN #2), arrives on Monday.

No word yet on ETA for HS C Udoka Azubuike (Rivals #31, ESPN #22).

Also no word yet on decisions for:
Traditional transfer (from Duke) PG Derryck Thornton or
HS Recruit Jarrett Allen (#15 on both Rivals and ESPN, listed as a F on Rivals and a C on ESPN).

As noted elsewhere , former KU recruit and current Mississippi State traditional transfer CG Malik Newman is anticipating visiting two of the schools he looked at hardest before choosing to go to his dad's alma mater -- namely, KU and NC State. No dates set yet as he is still waiting for his official release, so no one can talk with him yet.

espn.go.com/college-sports/recruiting/ba...center-jarrett-allen

Still two open rides.

KU still recruiting transfer Thornton.
Looks as if transfer Malik Newman is also in the mix.

Should KU land both of them, the replacements for Mason and Graham (should he leave early) will be in place for AY2017-18.

However, doing so will leave KU just 10 scholarship players available for next year. Not really an issue unless KU should have significant injury problems (let's not go there).

Who's Left?

Below is a transcript of ESPN's latest transfer listing , truncated to remove the 296 transfers that have already found a home.

ESPN AVAILABLE TRANSFERS @2016-06-04 (the 285 out of 581 still looking)
Top five *still* available transfers

1. Derryck Thornton, Duke Blue Devils Fr PG (We really want him...We really want him! - HE)
Per ESPN: "Thornton, a former five-star recruit, reclassified last spring in order to enroll at Duke a year early. He played more than 26 minutes per game, but couldn't lock down the starting point guard role and would have also had to compete with five-star freshman Frank Jackson next season. Expect him to look at schools out West." (Will have 3 years left to play after sitting out next year - HE)

2. Caleb Martin, NC State Wolfpack So SF
Per ESPN: "Caleb and his brother, Cody, are both leaving NC State. Caleb was the more productive of the two for the Wolfpack, averaging 11.5 points and 4.7 rebounds last season. Cody put up 6.0 points and 4.4 rebounds."

3. Charles Matthews, Kentucky Wildcats Fr G
Per ESPN: "A former top-50 prospect in the ESPN 100, Matthews played just more than 10 minutes per game as a freshman -- but did see the court in all 36 of Kentucky's games. The Illinois native could return to the Midwest, but he will also be a sought-after national prospect. Michigan State, Illinois, Kansas and Marquette were involved with Matthews before he chose the Wildcats."

4. Paris Bass, Detroit Titans RS So, SF
Per ESPN: "A recent addition to the transfer list, Bass could be the answer for programs still looking for an impact player. Bass earned first-team All-Horizon League honors after averaging 18.4 points and 8.0 rebounds as a redshirt sophomore. The Michigan native scored at least 20 points in seven of his final nine games." (He would have to sit out a season, leaving him just one year of eligibility- HE)

5. Brekkott Chapman, Utah Utes So SF
Per ESPN: "A key cog off the bench for Utah this past season, Chapman played in all 36 games and averaged 4.4 points and 2.8 boards. Chapman is a former ESPN 100 prospect and brings versatility and experience to the frontcourt."

GRADUATE TRANSFERS (all are eligible immediately; 27 out of 100 still looking)
A.J. Astroth, 6-6, SF, Jr., Towson
Lawrence Brown, 6-5, PF, RS Jr., Mercer
J.J. Butler, 6-3, G, Sr., Lipscomb
Norville Carey, 6-7, PF, RS Jr., Southern Mississippi
Evans Ganapamo, 6-5, SG, Jr., New Orleans
Khalil Ghani, 6-5, G, RS Jr., Yale
Doudou Gueye, 6-10, C, RS Jr., South Carolina State
P.J. Hardwick, 5-10, PG, RS Jr., Arkansas State
DeAndre Harris, 6-4, SG, Jr., North Texas
Mareik Isom, 6-9, F, Jr., Arkansas-Little Rock
Theo Johnson, 6-7, G, Jr., Liberty
Christian Jones, 6-7, PF, RS Jr., St. John's
Marvin Jones, 6-10, C, RS Jr., Kent State
Dusan Langura, 6-2, G, RS Jr., Mississippi Valley State
Pat McNamara, 6-5, G, Fr., New Hampshire
Reggie Patterson, 6-4, G, Jr., Mississippi State
Jodan Price, 6-7, SF, Jr., Eastern Michigan
L.J. Rose, 6-3, G, Jr., Houston
Chad Rykhoek, 6-11, C, Jr., Baylor (2 years left)
Aaron Scales, 6-9, C, Jr., Cleveland State
Scott Sill, 6-9, F, Jr., Delaware State
Justus Stanback, 6-9, F, Jr., IUPUI (2 years left)
Tristan Thomas, 6-2, G, Jr., USC Upstate
Parker U'u, 6-4, G, Jr., San Diego State
Karon Waller, 6-4, SG, Sr., Binghamton
Andre Washington, 7-0, C, Sr., Wake Forest -- East Carolina
Johnny Zuppardo, 6-8, F, Jr., Mississippi State

SPRING TRANSFERS (244 out of 422 still looking)
Patrick Ackerman, 6-10, PF, Jr., Detroit
Pernell Adgei, 6-7, F, Fr., Loyola (CHI)
Omer Aksu, 6-2, G, Fr., UTSA
Malik Albert, 6-1, G, Jr., Creighton
Marlon Alcindor, 6-5, F, Fr., St. Francis (BKN)
D'Angelo Allen, 6-7, F, Fr., Missouri
Terrell Allen, 6-2, G, Fr., Drexel -- UCF
Ethan Alvano, 6-1, PG, Soph., Eastern Michigan
Kelvin Amayo, 6-5, G, Sr., Iona
BK Ashe, 6-1, G, Jr., Mount St. Mary's
Tavin Askew, 6-7, PF, Jr., Incarnate Word
Hansel Atencia, PG, Fr., Liberty
Darius Austin, 6-6, SF, Soph., UMKC
Ousmane Ba, 6-9, C, Jr., Jacksonville State
Leon Bahner, 6-11, C, Soph., San Jose State
Xavier Banks, 6-2, G, Fr., Idaho State
DeAndre Barber, 6-2, G, Soph., High Point
Bret Barclay, 6-6, Soph, F, Southeast Louisiana
Tyler Barlow, 6-9, F, Fr., Lafayette
Jalin Barnes, 6-1, G, Fr., Sam Houston State
Oumar Barry, 6-10, C, Fr., DePaul
Paris Bass, 6-8, F, Soph., Detroit
Donny Belcher III, 6-2, F, Fr., UMass-Lowell
Mike Bethea Jr., 6-6, Jr., SG, Grambling State
Cameron Biedscheid, 6-7, F, RS Jr., Jacksonville State
Shi Blake, 6-7, F, Jr., Montana State
Cameron Blakley, 6-10, C, Jr., Charlotte
Keljin Blevins, 6-4, G, Soph., Southern Mississippi
DelFincko Bogan, 5-9, G, Fr., Jacksonville State
Kevin Booze, 5-11, G, Soph., Lamar
Marquan Botley, 5-10, PG, Jr., Florida Atlantic
Riley Bradshaw, 6-2, G, Jr., Montana
Randall Broddie, 6-3, G, Fr., Memphis
William Brooks, 7-0, C, Fr., UTRGV
Charles Brown III, 6-6, F, Fr., Murray State
Gabe Brown, 7-0, C, Soph., American
Kajon Brown, 6-4, G, Fr., Tulsa
Derrick Bruce, 6-3, G, Fr., Oregon State
Josh Burnett, 6-5, SG, Fr., Kennesaw State
Steven Burrough, 6-9, C, Jr., North Carolina A&T
C.J. Carr, 5-7, G, Soph., SIU Edwardsville
Eric Carter, 6-9, PF, Soph., Delaware
Tanner Castora, 6-2, RS Fr., G, USC Upstate
Jace Chacon, 6-4, SG, Fr., Air Force
Tyree Chambers, 6-2, G, Soph., Providence
Brekkott Chapman, 6-8, SF, Soph., Utah
Kameron Chatman, 6-7, SF, Soph., Michigan
Wes Clark, 6-0, G, Jr., Missouri
Davante Cooper, 6-10, C, Fr., Bradley
Jordan Cornish, 6-6, SG, Soph., UNLV
Jack Costigan, 6-3, G, Fr., UNC Asheville
JJ Cratit, 6-4, SG, Jr., Central Connecticut State
Altez Davis, 6-7, F, Jr., Jackson State
De'Andre Davis, 6-1, G, Soph., Grand Canyon
Karonn Davis, 6-2, PG, RS Soph., Niagara
Quron Davis, 6-9, C, Jr., Chicago State
Raasean Davis, 6-8, F, Soph., Kent State
Khary Doby, 6-6, F, Jr., North Carolina A&T
Raymond Doby, 6-7, F, Fr., South Carolina
Nathan Dodge, 6-2, G, Soph., Army
KoVien Dominaus, 6-6, SF, Fr., Richmond
Kevin Dorsey, 6-0, G, Fr., Minnesota -- considering Towson
Victor Dorsey, 6-8, PF, RS Soph., Longwood
Andrew Dotson, 6-2, G, Fr., New Hampshire
Brendan Doyle, 6-1, G, Fr., UCF
Stefan Duric, 6-5, G, Fr., Buffalo
Aaren Edmead, 5-10, G, Soph., Wagner
Fredrick Edmond, 6-4, G, Jr., Western Kentucky
Brady Ernst, 6-9, F, Fr., Iowa State
Jamal Evans, 6-7, F, Jr., Northern Colorado
Bakari Evelyn, 6-2, G, Fr., Nebraska
Niko Filipovich, 6-0, G, Soph., Hawaii
Neville Fincher, 6-10, C, Jr., Tennessee State
Sam Finley, 6-2, G, Jr., Ole Miss
Kedrick Flomo, 6-1, G, Soph., Murray State
Dimitri Floras, 6-1, G, Soph., Quinnipiac
Kelton Ford, 6-0, G, Jr., Troy
Brandone Francis, 6-5, SG, RS Fr., Florida
Andre Frederick, 6-8, F, Soph., Robert Morris
Konner Frey, 6-6, SF, Jr., Utah Valley
Devon Friend, 6-7, F, Jr., Chicago State
Jakeenan Gant, 6-8, F, Soph., Missouri
Jalen Gibson, 6-7, F, Fr., Detroit
Michael Gilmore, 6-9, F, Soph., VCU
Justin Goode, 6-2, SG, RS Fr., Rutgers
Dayon Goodman, 6-7, F, Soph., Utah Valley
Justin Graham, 6-1, PG, Jr., Hartford
Torian Graham, 6-4, SG, RS Jr., Arizona State
James Griffin, 6-5, G, Soph., Marist
Tyree Griffin, 5-10, G, Soph., Oklahoma State
Isaiah Gurley, 6-3, G, FR., Canisius
Drew Hackett, 6-2, PG, Fr., UIC
Myles Hamilton, 6-1, G, Sr., Cleveland State
Jake Hammond, 6-10, PF, Soph., Nebraska
Jared Hamilton, 6-4, G, Fr., Jacksonville State
Lavar Harewood, 6-3, G, Fr., Maine
Troy Harper, 6-1, G, Soph., Campbell -- considering St. Peter's, Monmouth, Drexel, Valparaiso
A.J. Harris, 5-9, PG, Fr., Ohio State -- considering Duquesne, Cleveland State, UMass
Marcus Harris, 6-0, G, Soph., San Diego
Christian Harrison, 6-5, SG, RS Fr., Troy
Cazmon Hayes, 6-4, SG, Jr., Delaware
Matt Hayes, 6-1, G, Jr., Loyola Marymount
Jay Hedgeman, 6-7, F, Jr., Louisiana Lafayette
Juwan Henderson, 5-9, G, Soph., Alcorn State
Jace Hogan, 6-6, F, Soph., Navy
Nigel Holley, 6-8, F, Jr., East Tennessee State
Justin Hollins, 6-8, F, Jr., Cal State Bakersfield
John Hubler, 6-4, G, Soph., IUPUI
Cornelius Hudson, 6-7, SF, Soph., Wake Forest
Todd Hughes, 6-3, G, Soph., Delaware State
Marlon Hunter, 6-2, G, Fr., Western Kentucky
Ayron Hutton, 6-3, G, Soph., Quinnipiac
Teslim Idris, 6-6, F, Jr., Savannah State
Tramaine Isabell, 6-0, PG, Soph., Missouri
Brian Ishola, 6-5, SF, Soph., North Dakota State
Paul Jackson, 6-1, G, Soph., Eastern Kentucky
Deion James, 6-8, F, Fr., North Carolina A&T
Lacey James, 6-9, F, Fr., Rider
DaQuan Jeffries, 6-5, F, Fr., Oral Roberts
A.J. John, 6-8, F, Soph., Pepperdine
Skye Johnson, 6-8, PF, Soph., Delaware
Brodricks Jones, 6-10, F, Fr., UTEP
Torren Jones, 6-9, PF, Jr., Fresno State
Derrell Joubert, 6-1, G, Soph., McNeese State
Japhet Kadji, 6-7, F, Soph., Wagner
Rich "Trey" Kalina, 7-0, C, Fr., Chattanooga
Brandon Kamga, 6-5, G, Fr., Northeastern
Ray Kasongo, 6-9, F, Soph., Tennessee -- USC, Seton Hall, UNLV, Georgetown, Washington St & St. John's
Brian Kelley, 5-10, G, Jr., Norfolk State
Christian Kennedy, 6-11, C, Jr., Lamar
Greg King, 6-7, PF, Soph., Eastern Kentucky
Robert Knar, 6-1, G, Soph., Northern Iowa
Mike Kobani, 6-8, PF, Jr., Appalachian State
Francois Lewis, 6-8, PF, Fr., Florida A&M
Justin Lobell, 6-1, G, Soph., Southeastern Louisiana
Bryson Lockley, 6-7, F, Fr., Santa Clara
Dominic Magee, 6-4, G, Fr., Grand Canyon
John Majors II, 6-6, F, Jr., Presbyterian
Chris Manning, 6-7, F, RS Fr., Mount St. Mary's
Jalen Manumaleuga, 5-11, G, Fr., Jackson State
Malik Marquetti, 6-6, SG, Soph., USC -- Cal State Northridge, Pepperdine, Louisiana-Lafayette, Denver, NM St
Caleb Martin, 6-7, SF, Soph., NC State -- Cal, Rutgers, Providence, DePaul, ECU, ODU, UNCW & Santa Clara
Cody Martin, 6-7, SF, Soph., NC State -- Cal, Rutgers, Providence, DePaul, ECU, ODU, UNCW & Santa Clara
Charles Matthews, 6-6, G, Fr., Kentucky
Mark Matthews, 6-6, G, Fr., UNC Wilmington
ZaQwaun Matthews, 6-4, SF, Fr., Chattanooga
Lamine Mbodj, 6-7, F, Jr, New Orleans
Shy McClelland, 6-0, PG, Jr., South Dakota
JayQuan McCloud, 6-2, G, Soph., Milwaukee
Eric McGill, 6-2, G, Fr., Southeast Missouri State
Josh McSwiggan, 6-7, G, Fr., UTEP
Matt Milon, 6-4, G, Fr., Boston College
Boo Milligan, 6-6, SG, Soph., Central Arkansas
Andrija Milovanovic, 6-5, F, Jr., McNeese State
Sammy Mojica, 6-3, G, Soph., Drexel
Daniel Mortensen, 6-9, F, Fr., Wright State
John Mosser, 6-5, SG, Jr., Appalachian State
Jahlil Nails, 6-5, SG, Fr., Central Connecticut State
Devin Newsome, 5-9, G, Soph., Nebraska-Omaha
Qwandell Newton, 6-6, F, Fr., Citadel
Spencer Nicolds, 6-7, F, Soph., Idaho State
Bryce Nickels, 6-9, F, RS Fr., Youngstown State
Aleksa Novakovic, 6-7, F, Fr., Eastern Illinois
Filip Nowicki, 6-10, C, Soph., Sacred Heart
Jonathan Nwankwo, 6-9, C, Fr., VCU
Clint Nwosuh, 6-2, G, Jr., Idaho State
Kanayo Obi-Rapu, 6-3, G, Soph., Longwood
Chuck Ogbodo, 6-9, C, Jr., UNC Wilmington
Joel Okafor, 5-11, PF, Fr., Bradley
Femi Olujobi, 6-8, PF, Soph., Oakland
Raven Owen, 5-10, G, Fr., Canisius
Jimmy Paige, 6-5, SF, Soph., Siena
Nick Pallas, 6-8, F, Fr., UT Arlington
Trey Patterson, 6-4, G, Soph., Houston Baptist
Jorge Perez-Laham, 6-0, PG, Jr., High Point
Chris Perry, 6-8, F, Jr., South Florida
Trent Perry, 6-4, SG, Soph., Eastern Michigan
Roddy Peters, 6-1, G, Soph., South Florida
Develle Phillips, 6-8, F, Fr., DePaul
Evan Phoenix, 6-9, F, Fr., Central Connecticut State
Jeremy Postell, 6-6, RS Jr., Southern Illinois
Andrew Poulter, 6-10, PF, JR., IPFW
RaVonn Posey Jr., 6-6, F, Jr., Cal State Bakersfield
Anthony Pratt Jr., 6-6, F, Fr., Eastern Kentucky
Grant Prusator, 6-0, G, Jr., Indiana State
Ny Redding, 6-2, G, Soph., Washington State
Trayvon Reed, 7-2, C, Soph., Auburn
Anthony Roberson, 6-5, G, Soph, Texas State
Da'Shawn Robinson, 6-4, SG, Jr., Louisiana Tech
Drew Romich, 6-9, F, Fr., Stetson
Aakim Saintil, 6-0, G, Jr., LIU Brooklyn
Connor Schroeder, 6-7, F, Fr., The Citadel
Trevon Seymore, 6-4, SG, RS Jr., Coppin State
Tahj Shamsid-Deen, 5-9, PG, Jr., Auburn
Patson Siame, 6-10, F, Soph., Florida Gulf Coast
David Skara, 6-8, F, Soph., Valparaiso
Amir Smith, 6-6, F, Fr., Rice
Naiel Smith, 6-4, G, Jr., Ball State
Nych Smith, 5-10, G, Fr., Fordham
Quadree Smith, 6-8, PF, Fr., Providence
Stephen Spurlock, 6-6, SG, Soph., Maryland-Eastern Shore
Troy Stancil, 6-2, G, Fr., Jackson State
Jackson Stent, 6-8, F, Fr., Nicholls State
Jaylin Stewart, 6-7, F, Fr., Southeast Missouri State
Renard Suggs, 6-3, G, Jr., Washington State
Isaac Sutton, 6-1, G, Fr., Maryland-Eastern Shore
Anthony Swan, 6-7, F, Soph., George Washington
Ramon Tate, 5-11, PG, Jr., Southeastern Louisiana
Brendyn Taylor, 6-3, G, Jr., Santa Clara
Lance Tejada, 6-2, G, Soph., East Carolina
Garrett Thibodeaux, 6-8, F, Fr., UTSA
Quinton Thomas, 6-2, G, Soph., Nicholls State
Derryck Thornton, 6-2, G, Fr., Duke
JD Tisdale, 6-4, SG, Jr., Bowling Green
Moses Toriola, 6-10, C, Fr., Norfolk State
Julian Torres, 6-9, C, Fr., UIC
Brady Twombly, 6-5, SF, Fr., Northern Arizona
Jordan Tyson, 6-10, C, Fr., St. Bonaventure
Danny Upchurch, 6-0, PG, Soph., Charleston Southern
Toby Van Ry, 6-10, F, RS Soph., Colorado State
Tre Vance, 6-9, F, Jr., Oral Roberts
Issac Vann, 6-6, SG, Fr., Maine -- VCU
Romello Walker, 6-6, G, Soph., Binghamton
Joshu'a Warren, 6-8, F, Jr., Maryland-Eastern Shore
Jonovan Watts, 6-6, SF, Fr., Gardner-Webb
Grant Weatherford, 6-2, G, RS Fr., Purdue
Saren Westrop, 6-7, F, Fr., Iona
Bryce White, 6-5, SF, Jr., Portland State
Chandler White, 6-2, SF, Fr., Toledo
Isaiah White, 6-6, SG, Fr., UNC Asheville
Steven Whitley, 6-4, G, Fr., Robert Morris
Dwain Whitfield, 6-6, PF, Soph., Mississippi Valley State
Jimmy Whitt, 6-4, G, Fr., Arkansas -- SMU
Cody Wichmann, 6-5, G, Jr., Milwaukee
Shawn Willett, 6-3, SG, Fr., Alcorn State
Jarod Williams, 6-1, G, Jr., Detroit
Jordan Wilson, 5-7, G, Jr., Northern Colorado
Johnny Woodard, 6-4, G, Jr., Tennessee State
Trevon Woods, 6-6, G, Soph., LIU Brooklyn
Tyrone Wooten, 6-4, G, Jr., Louisiana-Lafayette
Jeremiah Worthem, 6-5, F, Jr., North Carolina Central
Namon Wright, 6-5, SG, Soph., Missouri
Kris Yanku, 6-4, G, Jr., Northern Arizona
Damian Young, 6-3, G, Jr., Mississippi Valley State

WINTER TRANSFERS (15 out of 57 still looking)
Carlton Allen Jr., 6-10, C, Jr., Manhattan
Tony Allen, G, Fr., Campbell
Ivan Benkovic, 6-7, SF, RS Jr., Charlotte
Cory Calvert, 6-3, SG, Soph., BYU
Nick Dixon, 6-2, SG, RS Jr., UT Rio Grande Valley
Mikeal Donaldson, 6-6, SF, Jr., South Carolina State
Damian Goodwin, 6-7, F, RS Jr., USC Upstate
Malik Gray, 6-5, G, Soph., Norfolk State
Josh Jones, 6-4, SG, Jr., Richmond
Trey Miller, 6-7, F, Fr., North Dakota State
Ifeanyi Onyekaba, 6-8, PF, Sr., Rhode Island
Kevin Portillo, 6-5, SF, Jr., Mississippi Valley State
C.J. Turman, 6-9, PF, Soph., Florida Atlantic
Johnnie Vassar, 5-11, PG, Soph., Northwestern
Ellis Williams, 6-8, PF/C, Jr., Bryant

So I'm not sure what other changes would need to be made to their listing to bring it up to date.

Of interest today:

1. This tweet from yesterday --
Would be nice to land both transferring freshmen as it would set up the back court for the 2017-18 season and perhaps the following year. The scout team for the upcoming campaign could be one of our toughest in years. I'd take these two with a year's scout team seasoning over just about any newbies coming in for that campaign. NB: still no word on MSU granting Newman's full release yet, but it is expected to happen.

2. Per the Lucas article posted by gorillahawk, Udoka Azubuike, Mitch Lightfoot and Evan Maxwell are present and accounted for, and Josh Jackson is slated to arrive on campus today. Let's get ready for some hoops!

From the JayhawkSlant AFH board:

I spent time with visiting with Derryck and his father yesterday. I would expect a decision to be coming in the near future. Perhaps as early as the middle of this week.

Didn't really talk recruiting/favorites with him because it was not the time or place for an interview when I ran into them.

My opinion is that it's a dead heat between Kansas and USC right now.

-- Eric Bossi, Today at 11:47 AM

Fingers crossed we hear good news this week.

LATimes

Too bad, really wanted him.

KU is reportedly still in the hunt for for former Rivals 5star guard and current Miss St transfer Malik Newman as well. I have read that Newman is visiting a variety of places, to include KU, WKU(?), Miami and NCState. More wait and see. Have not read anything new about anyone else KU might be looking at for next year.

KU currently has two open scholarships for next year. Self historically does not like to have open rides. Next year could see KU lose:
To graduation: Mason, Lucas
NBA EEntry: Josh Jackson, Svi, Carlton Bragg and -- if he has a blow up year in AY2016-17-- possibly even Graham.

My best guess at this point would be the 2 grads plus at most 3 EEs, with Jackson being the only for sure.

That would mean Self would have to fill 7 rides for the following season if the two from this season aren't filled outside of the walk-on ranks. Replacing over half the allowed scholarship roster is not something I would look forward to, would you? Yikes!

I never like starting the weekend on a down note like this Thornton news, but hey, stuff happens.
Maybe there will be better news this time next Friday!

Mississippi State Freshman PG Malik Newman will be visiting KU this week (Tuesday) as one of his transfer visits. The former 5 star (Rivals #8 in 2015 Top 150) has already been to N.C. State, Western Kentucky, Miami and Oregon. If the same rules apply to transfers, KU will be his last paid visit (#5).

Elsewhere, there is only one player in Rivals Top 150 list for 2016 that has yet to declare where he will be playing next season -- Rivals #84 PF Taurean Thompson (6-9/220) from Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro, NH.

The last I had read about 2T he was down to Michigan State, Seton Hall and Syracuse -- but Mom (per an earlier article) apparently has nixed the Orange.

Per Zagoria ( June 24 posting ): 2T told Zags on June 2 he planned to decide right after visiting Michigan State.
His graduation at Brewster was a month ago.
That same day he told Zags: "Of course it 's a little frustrating because I want to commit, too... It means I gotta go on another visit and then I'll commit right after."

But three weeks later he still hasn't made a commitment.

Head case?

Really wants the Orange and is fighting Mama to go there?

Other schools have stepped up their interest?

I have heard nothing about KU being back in on 2T, but KU has had success with Brewster Academy kids in the past, and remember that there was nothing about Evan Maxwell until the announcement he was coming to KU.

Stay tuned...

Reminder posted by Shay Wildeboor today, along with notice that he is busy preparing a "complete update coming soon".

It would seem to be a good sign for KU that he is preparing a "complete update", but we'll just have to wait to see to be sure. He's always been good about not saying anything definitive that would steal a recruit's thunder.

But if I was a betting man, I would bank on KU having no more than one 2016-17 scholarship left by COB Friday.

kansas.n.rivals.com/news/coming-off-visi...o-announce-on-friday

The article is not visible to non-subscribers.

EXSUM
Visit went great, awesome time.
Dad Horatio Webster and Malik blown away by new KU facilities, which they had not seen before. Dad: "We had never seen the facilities before... didn't realize (they) were so nice... see it for yourself, that was an experience in itself."

Dad knows Self from Self's Oral Roberts days. Self knows dad's JUCO coach (important mentor for dad) really well.

Self told them "...he would be allowed to make plays... put the ball in his hands... use his skill set."

Newman had a great time hanging with Mason, Graham, Vick and Azubuike.

Newman expected to announce Friday on Twitter @iammaliknewman.

Fingers crossed.

And welcome ... just a year later than hoped ... to Malik Newman.
KUAD announcement

Malik's choosing KU leaves Self & Co with one (1) ride open for AY2016-17.

The sole remaining Rivals 150 recruit that is yet to sign is Taurean Thompson, a 6-9/220 4* PF (Rivals #84, ESPN #82, 247Sports #75, Scout #85). He supposedly is down to Michigan State, Syracuse and Seton Hall, but he completed his visits to those schools almost a month ago now, and he has yet to announce his choice. People in the media are wondering if and when he will announce, but as yet I have heard no talk about him looking beyond those 3, even though KU and many others (e.g., AZ, Georgetown and Xavier) have offered him a ride. Could the NYC young man who spent his last year in HS at Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro, NH be thinking of reopening his options?

Here is a short snippet of what ESPN has to say about him (I'm not an ESPN Insider, so I don't have access to the whole thing):
"A developing big man who possesses physical tools and budding skill alike, Thompson is an intriguing long-term prospect up front. He's got a long and solid build that should fill out naturally, good athleticism to run the floor and play up and around the rim."

I would love to see us land him as the 6th recruit for 2016.

Really don't see Self & Co going after another transfer unless it is an immediately eligible graduate transfer. There are still 26 of those left according to ESPN's tracking list, but I have no clue who on that list, if anybody, KU would be interested in.

GRADUATE TRANSFERS STILL AVAILABLE @2016-07-01 per ESPN
A.J. Astroth, 6-6, SF, Jr., Towson
Chad Rykhoek, 6-11, C, Jr., Baylor (2 years left)
Charles Buggs, 6-9, F, Jr., Minnesota
Christopher Ikuenobe, F, Jr., UTRGV
Daquan Cook, 6-2, G, RS Jr., UNLV
DeAndre Harris, 6-4, SG, Jr., North Texas
Dusan Langura, 6-2, G, RS Jr., Mississippi Valley State
J.J. Butler, 6-3, G, Sr., Lipscomb
Jodan Price, 6-7, SF, Jr., Eastern Michigan
Johnny Zuppardo, 6-8, F, Jr., Mississippi State
Jordan Chatman, 6-5, G, Jr., BYU
Jordan Mathews, 6-4, SG, Jr., California
Justus Stanback, 6-9, F, Jr., IUPUI (two years remaining)
Karon Waller, 6-4, SG, Sr., Binghamton
Kellen McCormick, 6-8, F, Fr., Western Michigan
Khaliq Ghani, 6-5, G, Jr., Yale
L.J. Rose, 6-3, G, Jr., Houston
Lawrence Brown, 6-5, PF, RS Jr., Mercer
Marvin Jones, 6-10, C, RS Jr., Kent State
P.J. Hardwick, 5-10, PG, RS Jr., Arkansas State
Parker U'u, 6-4, G, Jr., San Diego State
Reggie Patterson, 6-4, G, Jr., Mississippi State
Savon Goodman, 6-6, F, Jr., Arizona State
Scott Sill, 6-9, F, Jr., Delaware State
Skylar Scrivano, 6-10, F, Jr., Saint Joseph's
Tristan Thomas, 6-2, G, Jr., USC Upstate

Don't see it happening.

Practice alone won't get him into the NBA R1, which is his goal. He is not a tall PF with a huge motor that has only been playing for a few years that NBA scouts will drool over because of his potential. He leaves after sitting out a year, he is basically back to where he was this year, if not worse, with NBA scouts.

As I understand it, his NBA camp time showed NBA evaluators that he had some significant holes in his game. He will need game time to show scouts that he has improved and can be an impact player. He could have gone Oseas this year to get that game time while getting paid and make a statement with scouts that way. He chose to transfer instead of playing outside the US.

IOW, don't worry, be happy!