AY2018-19 KUMBB Recruiting as of 2019-08-29

I’m really hoping that if Jalen Wilson opts to go elsewhere that Self grabs one of the proven Grad Transfer SGs as soon as he knows. I think the chance of having a possible multi/year Wilson — and Bilau? — is putting next-year-only help on the back burner.

But I don’t think we can really can’t afford to wait for Walker, especially if Bossi’s info about him probably being a mid year reclassify at best — and far from being a KU lock — is good. And it usually is good.

George Allen, Washington: “The Future is Now!”

Looks like Mathis wants to end his college career closer to home.

OregonLive: Mathis favors Ducks

Dagnabit!

Encouraging assessment from Rivals National Recruiting Analyst Eric Bossi (link to paid article):

EXCERPT
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2. WHAT’S NEXT FOR JALEN WILSON

After asking for a release from his letter of intent to Michigan after John Beilein left for the NBA, top-50 senior Jalen Wilson’s recruitment has been trending toward a quick resolution.

Wilson recently wrapped up his official visit to Kansas and on Monday he traveled to Chapel Hill to begin his official visit with North Carolina. Also, new Michigan coach Juwan Howard has been spending time on the phone with Wilson and his family to try and save his commitment.

Early indications are that the visit to Lawrence was quite strong and that Bill Self and the Jayhawks have put themselves in excellent position. North Carolina may be able to turn him, but it has got some catching up to do if they are going to lure Wilson out of Big 12 country.

As for Howard and Michigan, they are trying to get back in the picture but unless they are able to get in home for a visit really soon, odds appear to be stacked against them.

There’s not a set time for a decision just yet, but I would expect Wilson to decide pretty soon after his return home from Chapel Hill.
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END EXCERPT

The article was posted this morning, and has some interesting points regarding Wilson.

First, I did not realize he essentially left KU to travel to UNC. Not wasting any time indeed, which supports Bossi's comment that Wilson's "recruitment has been trending toward a quick resolution" and Bossi's expectation that Wilson will "decide pretty soon after his return home from Chapel Hill." Said return home should be NLT this Thursday unless Wilson adds another currently unknown visit to his itinerary.

Second, those thoughts are much different than the "decision by June 25" that I've been reading on social media and recruiting sites.

Third, the Kansas visit went very well, and KU -- originally Wilson's #2 when he chose Beilein and Michigan -- looks to have a great chance to get Wilson.

Bossi's insights, as befits someone in his position, are usually very, very good.

Here's hoping Bossi is right that we quickly hear news about young Mr. Wilson, and that the news is he is coming to Lawrence for his college career.

Linking to www.rockchalk.com/index.php/forum/basket...aining-ku-recruiting for future reference if needed.

As expected.

With Mathis off the radar, all KU sights are back on when will Jalen Wilson commit and who will he commit to this second time around?

The last I heard on "when" was first NLT June 25, and then earlier this week probably much sooner.

Then there are the leanings pulled from Rivals today (with thanks to National recruiting Analyst Eric Bossi and JayhawkSlant senior writer Shay Wildeboor for passing on what he has heard) ...

First and perhaps foremost, the last I read from Bossi (actually yesterday) is that for a variety of reasons (some having nothing to do with Wilson himself). new Michigan HC Juwan Howard has not yet been able to schedule the in-home visit he was hoping to have with Wilson. This would seem to indicate a low chance of Michigan getting Wilson to recommit.

Also Shay reported last night that he had communicated with Wilson yesterday, and Jalen told him that with his UNC visit finished he has no other visits of any type planned.

Today Shay forwarded some speculation by a Rivals peer who writes for the UNC Rivals site and reports that both KU and UNC visits went great, but a "strong Texas source" he is in touch with still feels it's going to be Kansas. His updated odds...
Kansas 70%
North Carolina 20%
Michigan 10%

And based on another call he had just completed, he put even "more of my chips toward Kansas."

Shay, of course, believes he will be a Jayhawk, but this crazy year, anything is possible.

As for me, I am getting cautiously optimistic here, folks!

ROCK CHALK!


Finally, a salute in honor of those who dared 75 years ago...

Linking to the latest on KU hoops recruiting FFR (For Future Reference) PRN (pro re nata - > as needed).

www.rockchalk.com/index.php/forum/basketball/5985-freaky-friday

See link.

KUSports.com - Tait: Moss Commits
Yes! Now to get WIlson on Wednesday!

EXCERPT
One Big Ten coach who faced Moss multiple times during the past few years told the Journal-World via text message that he liked Moss a lot and added that he was a “good but not great” player. He also said Moss’ reputation as a legitimate 3-point shooter was spot on and added that he could provide KU with a veteran scoring option off the bench.

Finally stumbled across this link in a response to something I had posted elsewhere.

playeroftheyear.gatorade.com/winner/issac-mcbride/37127

Looking forward to seeing the young man get his shot!

Leaves 1 scholarship available for 2019-20.

Welcome to where you should have been all along, Jalen!

Rock Chalk!

RCB - konza63: Jalen Wilson coming to KU!

KUSports - Tait: 4-star wing forward Jalen Wilson commits to Kansas

Mentioned him in a separate thread yesterday.

With KU now loaded for next year at every position, big man Josaphat Bilau out of the picture for KU and KU still having 1 ride to fill for AY2019-20, this work in project prospect from NU territory could be just the ticket for that scholly -- a developmental player who could redshirt his freshman year, but still would get the chance to learn against some of the best in practice in preparation for AY2020-21 when so many bigs are projected to leave KU.

Phenom Hoops: 6’9 Lök Wur’s recruitment exploding; decision coming soon

konza63 comments on KUSports.com - Tait: Even lacking a Top 40 prospect, KU's 2019 recruiting class not all that different from a few past classes

The word going around since Jalen WIlson chose KU is that with the additions of Wilson and Isaiah Moss Self & Co presently have no plans to fill the last scholarship available for next year.

Is this holding one back in case 2020 5* SG Kyree Walker does manage to reclassify to 2019?

Or just looking at the following year, unless some other solid option for next year suddenly appears on the radar? The idea being that the losses would be graduates Dok and Mitch (assuming he does not redshirt as a senior) and EEs Dotson and Silvio, so the open ride would still only bring the total to 5 spots for the 2020 class?

Whichever strategem is being followed (maybe both, that latter depending on the results of the former), there is no arguing that the roster for AY2019-20, a matter of some concern just over a month ago -- Will Dotson return? Will De Sousa be reprieved to play? Will there be proven outside shooters to stretch opponents' defenses? -- is now stacked at every position.

As Matt Tait's points out in the article that konza63 posted, recruiting-wise Self has been coming through solidly since he got to Mount Oread.

Congratulations to all on the staff. A solid, respectable "to build on" class, combined with what appears to be another promising graduate transfer to fill specific roster needs.

Bravo Zulu!

Now -- STAY HEALTHY, JAYHAWKS!

Thank you!

Rock Chalk!

big g wrote: yep! am hearing more and more we might redshirt mitch, braun and or the dutch kid?

I just don’t know, big g. There is certainly a lot of fan speculation on who might redshirt next year, and those guys are logical participants.

My own thoughts, I just don’t know.

Mitch— a Senior, is he even interested in grad school? And does he want to risk being next year’s Mark Randall (sat out as a medical RS in 1987-88)? Yeah, he’d still be a part of the team, but it’s not the same as getting on the court and making the game saving block or winning bucket, especially as a senior. So I just don’t know.

Enaruna — looks promising as Silvio’s backup, and if he can hit the outside shot (not necessarily 3s, but 15’ and beyond), he can have significant time at the 4 and maybe even the 3. A lot will depend on how well he plays defense. And don’t forget, Tristan is actually higher rated than Jalen Wilson (peas in a pod in reality, 44 to 47 by Rivals), so unless he just isn't getting it at first I don’t see him as RS.

Braun — of the newbs, he seems the most likely to RS. But I keep hearing about his battle ready mentality, and his shooting ability, so I don’t know. Again, his ability to play D may be the deciding factor, but if he is a solid shooter he looks to rival Ochai and Jalen for time at the 3.

I would not be at all surprised if nobody redshirts... but even if someone does, it can always be burned if need be, as with Ochai Agbaji last season. Shoot, who knows, maybe OA will end up redshirting?

Yeah, I got no clue.

KANSAS lands a promising PG from the Hellmouth.

Dajuan Harris commits to Kansas for 2019

Nice close for the 2019 recruiting season!
Very excited for next year.