AY2015-16 KUMBB Recruiting UPDATED 2016-07-18

Thanks for the link, Doc it worked fine. You just have to paste it into the window like you did and it will work as long as the link is intact. It's not pretty with a pristine label like it could be if you used the "Link" icon (the globe with the chain in the Boardcode command row just below the Subject window), but it's serviceable.

Very interesting article indeed, especially the text of this quote that reads to me like it's a "thank you for participating" speech to an admired contestant who did not win.

"I love Michigan State,” said Jackson, who is originally from Detroit. “I actually grew up a State fan. So, even if I decide not to go to Michigan State, they'll always be in my heart, and I'll always be a fan of them and coach Izzo."

Of course, it could be simple misdirection, too, to feed the curiosity until his announcement day sometime after the Nike Hoops Summit on April 9.

Thanks again!

Diallo
Selden
Greene

Four open scholarships to fill as of today.

Because high schools are not the only source of new blood..
ESPN's 2016 Transfer List

As I noted earlier, Aussie PG William McDowell-White is supposed to be a very good (****) to excellent (*****) PG prospect.

I know, Self doesn't look for pure PGs, but with 4 rides and this kid still available...

Other than the mention on Scout, I've come across no connections between him and KU, but checking today I find that he is still listed as undecided on Verbal Commits, Scout, Rivals and 247Sports, but so far I only see him mentioned with KU on Scout. I can't find him in ESPN's database at all. Scout rates him 5 stars, Rivals and 247Sports rate him at 4 stars, Verbal Commits averages him out to a 4 star.
www.scout.com/player/202179-william-mcdowell-white?s=172
247sports.com/Player/William-McDowell-White-88917
n.rivals.com/content/prospects/maple/187625
www.verbalcommits.com/players/william-mcdowell-white

According to all the above, he has offers from Arizona State, Texas A&M, Hawai'i and Portland. Apparently he had planned to visit KU and Michigan State after attending the Basketball without Borders camp in Toronto back in February , but had to return home before he could work out visits.

Assessments from these sources:
SCOUT
At 6-foot-5, McDowell-White has very good size and strength for the point guard position. Although he’s not super quick, McDowell-White plays at a good pace, does a good job of mixing up his speeds.
Where McDowell-White really impresses is with his feel for the game. He’s effective in pick and roll situations and at BWB, he consistently made the right read. His passing is top notch, as is his vision. If he were in the United States, he'd be regarded as one of the top three passers in high school basketball.
Although not known for his scoring, McDowell-White did a good job of finishing when he had opportunities in the paint. But he also proved to be a capable shooter off the catch from deep. He even connected on three threes in one of the 16 minute games. If he continues to improve his shooting long term, he raises his stature as a prospect... the top available point guard prospect looking to attend college next season. His performance at camp was so impressive that one NBA executive asked me who could possibly be a better prospect at the point guard position in 2016 than him.

Pick and Roll (see the BWB link above for story)
McDowell-White has been regarded as one of the best international point guards in the Class of 2016 and he did all he could and more to secure his status among the elite at the BWB camp.

Reads like a better than Mark Turgeon type candidate to me.

Again, I've seen nothing with a recent date (last 30 days) about him, have no idea what is going on with him and if KU is even looking at him.

But with four openings now and the need to start getting some young playmakers in (with Frank being a senior and Devonté hopefully playing large next year) he might be prove to be a value worthy of a ride.

Thanks for the update post, JR! I forgot to add one when I edited the origin post to reflect Alkins choosing AZ. Apologies for the oversight and appreciate you picking up the fumble!

For more recruiting-related information, see this thread:

www.rockchalk.com/index.php/forum/basket...ur-success-next-year

It started out as a "look-ahead" piece on 2016-17, focused heavily on the role of Carlton Bragg, but folks will find interesting recruitment-related takes in there as well.

(Just keeping things straight, and filling out HE's superb recruitment-tracking pin...)

Rock Chalk...

1. Josh Jackson ***** SG or Terrance Ferguson ***** SG
2. Thon Maker ***** C/PF (assuming all is okay with NCAA eligibility) or Marques Bolden ***** C
3. William McDowell-White **** PG or a ball handling graduate transfer guard like Grant Mullins or Spike Albrecht to back up Frank and Devonté.
4. Terrance Ferguson ***** SG (if not #1) or Deshawn Corprew **** SG, or the best available graduate or regular transfer. I've read that someone at KU has contacted regular transfer Christian Kessee (CG, Coppin St). Based on his stat line (not a great assists line, okay re: TOs), I wonder what they see in him.

Dreamin' on a Thursday evening.

HE:

Are we even in the running anymore for Bolden? Everything I've seen appears to indicate he's down to Puke and ConTucky. I'd love to have the kid (per that thread I started on Bragg today) because he's got "true Power Forward scoring machine" written all over him, but just didn't see it as realistic.

I thought about mentioning Spike A from Michigan myself in my "top 4" post (Bragg thread), but then I realized the dude is only 5'11 and is recovering from a double-hip surgery. I'd far prefer getting a high-upside, developmental PG (along the lines of Frank and Devonte when we first got them, actually) so that we have someone behind them when Frank departs next year and just in case Devonte breaks out and leaves then too (as a junior). Also to have a backup to spell those two, obviously--man, that seemed to bite us this year by tourney time (especially worn-out Frank).

I like Ferguson too...but figure if we land Josh Jackson AND retain Svi, the kid won't have any time to grow or play. With Corprew, he is not quite as highly ranked, which means he might be more inclined to know he has to work for future PT...AND what I love about him is his slashing game and sheer strength. As I said before, he looks like a hybrid between Langford and Selden (intensely aggressive rim driver but very sculpted--and would get even more so after being Hudy-ized). Just my thinking there...Ferguson or Corprew would be the cherry on top if we get JJ and TM!

Good stuff...

RE: Bolden, you are correct, but he was my fallback on that line, and I did close by stating I was dreaming.

Good points re: Albrecht. I would like to see KU land McDowell-White, who is my first choice in the PG pursuit, for all the reasons you noted. But I have only seen one place (Scout.com) that even mentions McDowell-White and KU together, so that's probably a pipe dream as well. From what I have read, if KU wanted him I think they would get the young Aussie. And he would help with the long term PG issue, unlike the GTs.

Re: Ferguson, I had him last for the points you mentioned. Corprew is probably much more likely, and last I read is very interested in KU.

Since we now have 4 openings, I would not be surprised to first hear of two commitments other than JJ and Maker. I know I would want to quickly lock in my prospects with a national powerhouse if I had the chance.

National Signing Day is April 13, just 13 days away. It would be great to have all 4 seats signed for by COB that day.

BTW, I was just reading that KU may be interested in getting Arkansas G Jimmy Whitt to come to Lawrence. He's leaving Mike Anderson, who does not agree with the lad's decision, which speaks volumes to what he thinks of the kid for the future. link

The freshman PG is from Columbia, MO. He would have to sit out a year, so no immediate backup help at PG, but he seems like a solid asset for the future.

JIMMY WHITT

Hmmm...Arkansas cast-off...from Columbia...with lousy shooting stats and a sub-par A:TO ratio...

I say PASS. Surely KU can do much, much better than this.

I thought you might appreciate keeping a Columbia kid away from there.

Apparently we have another youngster à la Svi on our hands in Mr. A. He won't turn 19 until September 2018, so the first NBA draft he will be eligible for is 2019.

Awesome. And I think he needs that 2 years, for the record.

Delaware's Korey Holden is the top transfer available this offseason according to Jeff Goodman and Jeff Borzello . He was 2nd team All-CAA last year, and wants a chance to play at the next level. He would have to sit out for a year. Here's his #s from last year.For me he would be a hard sell based on his shooting #s and his TO average is almost 3 and his A:TO ratio is just 1.45:1
Granted he played on the 10th place team in the CAA, so perhaps he was overburdened there.

"

Question: since Holden would have to sit out one year, does that mean if he transfers to KU he doesn't occupy a scholarship this upcoming season?

(That is, it wouldn't count against schollies until next year)

Thanks!