2018 Recruiting



  • @BShark

    I’m glad your memory works that far back. lol

    What I remember from the whole Mason ordeal was that in general- most KU fans overreacted to him being small and a de-commit from Towson. Add in that Mason was basically our 4th choice fallback plan and there was a lot of chatter of why we got this kid. If it wasn’t for KU continuing to recruit I believe it was Mclaughin of USC even after he committed we would never have him to begin with. Crazy how that works out.

    I do remember Jerry being high on him and I also remember Self saying that he basically got a steal after getting to know him and see his game.

    I think kids like Mason are even harder to find these days with how much video is available from AAU ball these days.



  • @BeddieKU23

    Sometimes it does. 😜

    And you are right it was McLaughlin. Townsend was in Vegas to see McLaughlin but I don’t think he was committed officially at the time. He saw Frank and that was pretty much the end of it I believe the staff went to check him out a couple more times or so and then offered.

    I know Jerry had him top 75 might have been top 50. ESPN didn’t (maybe still doesn’t) rank post grads so that negatively impacted his overall ranking.



  • @BShark

    I think your right about the ESPN ranking. They had Post next to his name and ranked him a 3 star. Even if his ranking was just at that time they clearly missed the ball on him. It happens all the time, its just crazy it might be happening for the 2nd straight year with a POY favorite. Hield while a 4 star prospect wasn’t exactly a household name. Mason has worked his way above what any KU fan could have imagined this year.



  • @BeddieKU23

    ESPN slants towards Nike kids. Also they have Terrence Lewis ranked ahead of Marcus Garrett it’s so hard to take them seriously.



  • @BShark

    And had Giles ahead of Jackson while Giles played what 2 minutes of High School ball his senior year.

    That is funny Lewis over Garrett.



  • @BeddieKU23

    Nike influence with Giles.

    Yeah I’m not sure how you watch them both play and say well Lewis is better and/or has more potential. I think he will be a nice player for ISU but probably closer to the 100 range. I think Lewis is NR on Scout which is also ridiculous. I believe a lot of these services are lazy, don’t get to many events and piggy back off each other. For rankings 247 is probably my favourite.



  • @BeddieKU23

    Yes… I remember when we signed Frank. I won’t say our fanbase was negative as a whole, but people never thought Frank would turn out to be such a plus for us. Size was the biggest factor, followed by where he was going first, seeming to rub people the wrong way like we should only be competing with other blue bloods for players.

    The ultimate lesson is, “we can’t judge a book by its cover.”

    I don’t put much time into following recruiting because we just see the window dressing. We don’t know the players. A lot of what Bill saw in Frank went beyond his stat sheet and highlight films. We all need to think about that when we start being overly critical about Bill’s recruit targets and commits.



  • @drgnslayr Great point. I am sometimes amazed at how we all can get on this site and think we can identify whom the recruits that we need are…but all part of the fun, I guess.



  • @drgnslayr

    Really good points. I bet if we sat with Self and asked him “did you ever think Mason would get this good” I’m sure we’d get an interesting answer from him.

    Opportunity is also a big equalizer in this whole equation with Frank.

    Tharpe didn’t pan out and Mason was eating his minutes early in his Sophomore year. We also whiffed on every top PG target for the past 4 years- the staff admitted Frank was option #4 which really meant “fell into our lap” at the right time. What if we had signed a PG that was talented enough to challenge Frank for that spot. Graham ended up being that guy but Self figured out those 2 could play beside each other because of the bond they had formed. Frank in a way has been very lucky that he could capitalize on his unheralded beginning into now becoming a favorite for POY honors. Nothing short of amazing, you never know what a player has under the hood until you get him playing under your watch.



  • @drgnslayr

    Mason’s hs stats were pretty damn good. But HS stats are mostly meaningless.



  • I was on CyFan (I know…) reading their thread on Wigginton (imo will be a stud for them for 3-4 years) and well, this post was funny so I had to share.

    " Yesterday at 2:15 PM

    billy preston is going to be a great ku villain, assuming bill self doesn't kick him out of any of his first 10 practices."


  • Matt Scott did a major rework of the 2018 targets page. Worth checking out.



  • Oturu is announcing Friday. I can’t see it being KU since he hasn’t even visited plus I’m not sure if KU would take his commitment at this time with so many top players being on the board that KU is attempting to recruit (even if KU has no chance like Naz Reid).



  • Minnesota would be my guess.



  • @BShark

    Dang. Good big for them. Had a chance to look into Oturu, will be a good big by Junior/Senior year. I don’t think he was a fit at KU at 6’8 with no mid-range game. I liked his ability to face up in the lane and score and has long arms that help him play bigger than 6’8. Pitino is having good season so I’m assuming that looks appealing to him



  • @BeddieKU23

    Yeah he’s raw right now.



  • Anyone seen the film on Emmitt Williams? Good lord we want this one. I have a feeling he’ll be moving up the charts. Crazy athlete, just crazy.

    Plays for IMG- same school as Duval attends. Mari played their as well.

    Williams just became the # 1 recruit I hope KU gets next year.



  • @BeddieKU23

    Great minds think alike. Absolutely the best post player that KU could realistically land (Bagley isn’t realistic). Close this kid before the likes of UK/DUKE/AZ poke their noses around.



  • KU checking in on Dotson and Hamilton in NC today per Matt Scott.



  • @BeddieKU23 Williams is a monster. Geez, louise…



  • @BeddieKU23 ok feel me in lol. Have we been recruiting this kid? I’m taking it he is a 2018 player? whz his height? Do we have a shot? - - - ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY



  • @jayballer54

    Answering questions in order.

    Yes, tall enough, yes.



  • @BeddieKU23

    Wow! Talk about swagger!

    The key with snagging a big swagger guy is that you have to tame him enough to win with him.

    The Morris brothers had some swagger and lots of posturing. But in the end, they really didn’t put their moxie to work for team wins. They often ticked off opponents that brought ultimate revenge down on us.

    But hey… I’m all for a guy like Emmitt! He is a perfect swing guard or stretch 4. I like him especially if Bill finally makes the commitment to long term small ball. He’s the perfect “utility big.” He could be a swing guard in a big lineup, a stretch 4 in a normal lineup, and a 5 in a total x-axis squad!



  • @jayballer54 6’7" 210.



  • @JayHawkFanToo Little known Jethro factoid: the last 4 national championship teams all started two point guards. Coinydink? I think not.



  • @BShark

    I did not realize he was this good. He is priority #1 if I’m the staff.

    I know that a lot of schools have started to offer. West Virginia has been in with whole staff to see him before.



  • @jayballer54

    He was recently offered over the holidays. I’m assuming we watched Duval and we saw this monster.

    6’8 200 pound freak. And I would think we have a good chance if we prioritize him



  • Devon Dotson visiting Feb 4.



  • @BShark

    That’s positive, same day as Young



  • @BeddieKU23

    I’d be surprised if he isn’t a Jayhawk. Staff has prioritized him. Would love to see him commit to KU soon.



  • @BShark

    We’ll see, kids from his area have proven to be tough to pull. I do like him coming for a home game that should show him a good time.



  • Graham and Vick and Doke and Bragg back. back.

    Average talent continues decline from accruing effects of embargo.

    Now even 4 stars are waiting to see what happens when Tyler leaves.

    Next.



  • @BeddieKU23

    Yeah I’d just like to see him pop before possibly Duke shows serious interest.



  • @BShark This has to be a good thing - -keeping fingers crossed - - -ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY



  • ESPN updated Top 60 rankings. KU targets

    #2 Zion Willaimson PF (Unlikely)

    #3 Romeo Langford SG (unlikely)

    #5 Jordan Brown C

    #7 Emmitt Williams PF (should become a major target) Could be a top 3 player when all is said and done.

    #14 Quentin Grimes SG (the key to the class IMO)

    #16 Brandon Williams PG

    #32 Jairus Hamilton SF (Staff recently visited him)

    #34 Devon Dotson (Will Visit KU Feb 4th)



  • A few others I wish KU was recruiting who I’ve watched recently.

    #9 Simi Shittu PF (Canadian prospect, could work the Wiggins angle). Very skilled player.

    #35 David McCormack C - Huge man 6’10 280 is starting to get in better shape. Hudy would do wonders with this man. Teammate of Preston.



  • Jalen Carey listed as a SG on ESPN ranked #12 SG. Will be a Top 100 kid when they expand the rankings. Hope we stay on this one.



  • @BeddieKU23 Dotson doing an unofficial is a good start. Need to get Langford, Williams and Grimes on campus.

    Hopefully Doke can be a recruiting tool for McCormack.

    We are due for a monster class one of these years. A 3 or 4 guys in the top 50 type of class.



  • @Kcmatt7

    I think we should be selective. 18 class is down. Grimes, Dotson seem to be two we have a great chance with. We should be all in on Emmitt Williams. ALL in.

    This summer will be interesting to see what we go after. 19 class has guys we really want.



  • @BeddieKU23 Selective yet aggressive. We need to add some multi-year players. Who knows what the roster could look like after next season.



  • @Kcmatt7

    the 2 I listed are multi-year types. Williams has OAD ability. I agree we will need bodies



  • Read an article from zags blog talking about the game Saturday - -the Coaches were talking about the match ups and NBA personnel that was going to be there. Accordingly it was Stated that Josh is slotted as a # 4 pick in the draft and Devonte is a # 37 pick, kind of interesting - - -ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY



  • @BeddieKU23 said:

    @Kcmatt7

    I think we should be selective. 18 class is down. Grimes, Dotson seem to be two we have a great chance with. We should be all in on Emmitt Williams. ALL in.

    This summer will be interesting to see what we go after. 19 class has guys we really want.

    18 is a really weak class indeed. Don’t want to mess up 19, but we will have to see how many bodies KU needs. Completely agree with the three you listed. Duke will press for Grimes and maybe AZ too. That one will be a battle. the other two I think KU can for sure land if the staff presses for them.

    19 has a lot of NBA level talent though. And ya 19 has a lot of strong KU leans. Gotta close em of course but Harvey and Robinson Earl I think are in the bag if KU presses for commits. Hell there is a rumour that JRE is already silently committed. However we know how that can go, doesn’t mean a thing yet. Sherfield is from KS (Wichita) originally but maybe signing Jacobs already hurts KU there. Leech is from rural Missouri. Basically only us, ISU and UW recruiting him atm. UW might be the main contender here but his recruitment could explode, legit talent. Hurt is a complete stud but I don’t honestly know much about his recruitment.

    @BeddieKU23 said:

    Jalen Carey listed as a SG on ESPN ranked #12 SG. Will be a Top 100 kid when they expand the rankings. Hope we stay on this one.

    If KU needs to take a third guard in the class I really hope it’s him.



  • Oh and I’d kill for Zion or Langford but no chance. Seems like we might be able to sneak Hamilton out of NC if we need a wing.



  • @BeddieKU23 I looked up Simi…holy cow…he reminds me of JJ.



  • Wanted to give a shoutout to BShark, Beddie, Jayballer, KC Matt and the gang for keeping the recruiting news coming. You all do a great job, and I really appreciate the info you dig out, and divulge. Keep 'em coming…



  • @KUSTEVE said:

    @BeddieKU23 I looked up Simi…holy cow…he reminds me of JJ.

    Yeah he’s really good. Not sure why we haven’t thrown the hat into that one.



  • @BShark said:

    Oh and I’d kill for Zion or Langford but no chance. Seems like we might be able to sneak Hamilton out of NC if we need a wing.

    Definitely we are just “there” with those guys. I have to think we might have playing time available which could change things



  • @KUSTEVE said:

    Wanted to give a shoutout to BShark, Beddie, Jayballer, KC Matt and the gang for keeping the recruiting news coming. You all do a great job, and I really appreciate the info you dig out, and divulge. Keep 'em coming…

    Hopefully the constant updates lead to good news sometimes. Really important to finish 2017 class with top talent and look to 18 to fill needs which could be everywhere



  • @BeddieKU23 said:

    @KUSTEVE said:

    @BeddieKU23 I looked up Simi…holy cow…he reminds me of JJ.

    Yeah he’s really good. Not sure why we haven’t thrown the hat into that one.

    Maybe Self is burnt out on raw African players? No idea though lol.

    @KUSTEVE said:

    Wanted to give a shoutout to BShark, Beddie, Jayballer, KC Matt and the gang for keeping the recruiting news coming. You all do a great job, and I really appreciate the info you dig out, and divulge. Keep 'em coming…

    Right on.

    @BeddieKU23 said:

    @KUSTEVE said:

    Wanted to give a shoutout to BShark, Beddie, Jayballer, KC Matt and the gang for keeping the recruiting news coming. You all do a great job, and I really appreciate the info you dig out, and divulge. Keep 'em coming…

    Hopefully the constant updates lead to good news sometimes. Really important to finish 2017 class with top talent and look to 18 to fill needs which could be everywhere

    Need Trae for sure.

    @BeddieKU23 said:

    @BShark said:

    Oh and I’d kill for Zion or Langford but no chance. Seems like we might be able to sneak Hamilton out of NC if we need a wing.

    Definitely we are just “there” with those guys. I have to think we might have playing time available which could change things

    Zion and Langford feel like Dukies to me. Of course, if K has to step away that changes everything.