2018 Recruiting Thread



  • @BeddieKU23 Is there really plenty of minutes to go around at this point? We lose Graham for sure and have Moore replacimg him already. We lose Svi and Whitman for sure and have the Lawson brothers replacing them.

    We know there’s a chance we lose Azubuike, Newman, and Preston, but that’s not a guarantee with any of them. With Garrett and Cunliffe already here abd Vick probably not becoming the featured back court guy until 2018, even if Newman leaves early, KU already has 5 guards for 2018 including all 3 starting spots unless someone flames out. There’s not really any backcourt minutes available for 2018.

    The front court could be another issue if Azubuike and Preston leave, but not a guarantee either does. I know there’s lots of talk about 2018 guards, but I don’t see any way KU lands an early commit guard in 2018 with the personnel KU has projected back for 2018. I know Vick is on some 2018 mocks, but he’s going to be 4th option at best this season and may not even start this year. It’s essentially the same spot Svi was in last year, but Vick doesn’t have the international ties Svi does.

    I’m not putting much stock in guard talk for KU’s 2018 class because there’s not any significant minutes available. All recruiting efforts beed to be focused on the front court vecause there’s a much higher probability of 1 or bith starting spots being available in 2018.



  • @Texas-Hawk-10

    I don’t believe Newman will be coming back after this season.

    We already got lucky getting him 2nd time around and I think he’ll have a good enough season to get drafted in the 2nd round next year.

    If he leaves there is plenty of room for PG’s, heck there’s a need for at least 1 ball handler even if he stayed.

    The front-court is a wild-card. With the Lawson’s waiting I think Preston will look to be a OAD. If he returned, well Self will figure it out.

    The hope of getting an elite big man will probably rely on some of them waiting until spring. Outside of the Top 4-5 bigs in this class there isn’t a ton of depth or immediate impact talent. A guy like Ian Steere is a type KU could land in the fall that has high athleticism, good size already and could develop.



  • Unless KU pulls Bagley, Dedric Lawson is starting. Actually, they would probably both start.

    If Doke and Preston return along with Dedric being there. Fuhhhhhgedddddaboutit.



  • Going to need 2 PG/CG for sure. Don’t think we will see much in the way of wing commits though.



  • @BeddieKU23 There’s not starters minutes available at guard and that’s why KU won’t land any of the top PG’s.

    Moore may not be an elite PG, but he was top 60 and will have a year in the system and is from Chicago so toughness is a nonissue with him despite his size. Self has always preferred experience at PG because he doesn’t run a simple system. Unless any of the elite PG’s are coming here to back Moore up, KU is landing a development guy at PG to back Moore up.

    Even with Newman gone, the backcourt in 2018 is going to be Moore, Vick, Cunliffe with Garrett and Lawson off the bench. That’s back up minutes available so I would cross any top level PG off the list right now.



  • @Texas-Hawk-10

    There is absolutely starter minutes for grabs next year

    Under your logic we might as well just go onto 2019.



  • @BeddieKU23 Where in the back court are starters minutes available? Self brought Moore in specifically to replace Graham. Cunliffe, Garrett, Lawson, and Vick are all interchangeable pieces at the 2/3 spots.

    There’s potentially front court starters minutes available if BOTH Azubuike and Preston jump, otherwise Lawson moves into the the next to whoever stays if one jumps.

    There’s back up PG minutes available in 2018 for someone who may end up being the 6th back court guy in 2018 which means there may be 6-8 minutes per game available at most once conference starts.



  • A lot of CB’s flowing in for Brandon Williams to Arizona which is good for KU on multiple fronts (Grimes, Dotson).

    Edit: He’s deciding this week which is why



  • @BeddieKU23 Ya he is announcing tonight at 6:00 off his twitter I read. - - ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY



  • Each and every day I’m pulling for Dotson more and More lol. - He is becoming my mission to land here. - -Na either way feel real confident that one of the other Grimes or Dotson is ours for sure. - - I think Grimes or Dotson either one will give Moore all kinds of problems in practice, and chances are will end up taking over his time on the floor - -that Scenario really think Dotson might have even a better chance Big time driver to the hole, good handles - -feel his ranking going to go higher yet before all said and done. - - ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY



  • BeddieKU23 said:

    A lot of CB’s flowing in for Brandon Williams to Arizona which is good for KU on multiple fronts (Grimes, Dotson).

    Edit: He’s deciding this week which is why

    Yep, Arizona lock but definitely good for KU if he doesn’t do anything crazy and go to another Pac school or something.



  • @BShark heard he signed w/Arizona.



  • Thank you Brandon Williams!!



  • I’m really surprised that Self and his staff don’t push to have recruits on campus for this week with all the alumni here. Just seems like the perfect opportunity to showcase what happens during the off-season for these guys. I know with AAU and the travel schedules it makes it difficult but there is no reason to believe you couldn’t get some of their local targets especially in 2019 to be roaming around for these camps and games.

    Seems like a missed golden opportunity



  • @BeddieKU23 I’m just not sure that Bill could make the time he needs to for the recruits. He is crazy busy right now. And, camps are all day until like 10 pm. Just no time for recruits.



  • @BeddieKU23 You know I think your right. - -That’s a pretty cool idea, would be really good timing. - -Why couldn’t Coach plan on something like they have on the football camp day where they have recruits in? - - That’s a real good idea - -why didn’t I think of that lol. - - -ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY



  • @Kcmatt7 I AM NOT SO SURE IF HE IS that BUSY where he couldn’t spend SOME time with them -if not him then the assistants maybe. - -I know for the scrimmage last night he divided the teams and then said HIS current team BETTER WIN - - then he left per NCAA rules it was stated. So since he left why couldn’t he take some time then to show the recruit/recruits around, talk to them some - -then turn them over so they could watch the scrimmage? - - ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY



  • @jayballer54

    Others, as always, can speak with more knowledge, but perhaps coming to basketball camps could constitute an official visit, and maybe those visits cannot occur in certain circumstances? Possibly, also, coming to a camp they would be getting coached by the staff, which I think canot be done. Don’t they only engage in pickup games when on a visit?

    These are reasons why we always think it is unfair when Cal and Coach K get to coach those USA Basketball players–it is an exposure to a coach and his methods players cannot get during recruiting alone.



  • @mayjay

    Good point. Hadn’t thought of that.

    Shaka is another that is benefiting from USA coaching. He got Bamba that way



  • @jayballer54 Wouldn’t you rather be the main focus if you are a recruit?



  • @mayjay Ya, you might be right by those might be classified as an official visit. Although what I was really trying to say is if these recruits could possibly come in to watch like the game was played last night. Have future recruits watching like current Jayhawks play against Alumi - -don’t really think KU staff was coaching I think it was in reality a glorified pick up game - -no Coaching staff present. I know Coach Self couldn’t be there to watch the game/coach at all last night because of NCAA reg. So was thinking as I know there are recruits that come for un-offical before they make their official some times. - So I was thinking as like last night before the scrimmage started - -Coach could spend time talking to the recruit, I know there is a dead period I believe where the Coach can not have direct contact with recruits, not sure if this would fall in that frame or not, but if it didn’t have him talk before the scrimmage, and then let them watch the scrimmage - -talk to current players - I dunno - -ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY



  • @Kcmatt7 You would be a main focus, as a recruit during that time. - -Coach Self have his time to talk to you during that time, show you the facilities, discuss his plan for you as a player if you commit , Then come time for the scrimmage he turn them loose to watch the scrimmage pretty much as they have recruits watch late night - you still have your time with Coach. - -ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY



  • @jayballer54 I just don’t think he has the time during camp season. He takes camp seriously because this is a huge money-maker for him. This is also how they “legally” pay the players. So he stacks these camp weeks. We are talking close to $1M just from camps.

    Also, getting a recruit on campus when nobody else is on campus always bothers me. Bring recruits in to see the pretty ladies walking on campus and for people to recognize you. Make them feel like a celebrity.

    But that is my recruiting thoughts. We may just disagree.



  • Jaime Lewis off the board to NC St



  • BeddieKU23 said:

    Jaime Lewis off the board to NC St

    A lot of early commits for this class. Not sure how involved KU was here after the visit. Felt like a back-up plan.



  • BShark said:

    BeddieKU23 said:

    Jaime Lewis off the board to NC St

    A lot of early commits for this class. Not sure how involved KU was here after the visit. Felt like a back-up plan.

    Yeah, agreed.

    praying KU can land anything early. I know, that sounds really funny with how things have gone over the last few years



  • BeddieKU23 said:

    BShark said:

    BeddieKU23 said:

    Jaime Lewis off the board to NC St

    A lot of early commits for this class. Not sure how involved KU was here after the visit. Felt like a back-up plan.

    Yeah, agreed.

    praying KU can land anything early. I know, that sounds really funny with how things have gone over the last few years

    Well last year KU did target some kids that decided early pretty hard, just missed on a lot. Looks like Grimes and Dotson could be early decisions, hoping for the best there.



  • @BeddieKU23 When we only sign late, it does get frustrating. It feels like we aren’t getting our #1,2 or even 3 option. Like we are just scrambling to fill a roster.

    Just once, I’d like to see Bill have a stacked recruiting season early.



  • @Kcmatt7 Not gonna be 2018 with the three replacements for the three outgoing seniors already on campus.



  • @Texas-Hawk-10 I’ve learned to not expect anything other than late signees from Bill. Doesn’t make it less frustrating.



  • Kcmatt7 said:

    @BeddieKU23 When we only sign late, it does get frustrating. It feels like we aren’t getting our #1,2 or even 3 option. Like we are just scrambling to fill a roster.

    Just once, I’d like to see Bill have a stacked recruiting season early.

    I’m optimistic we’ll sign at least one of our top targets in the fall. Grimes, Dotson & Carey all seem to be on course to decide before or in November. Carey could be one that pops early as he’s supposed to visit KU this summer.

    It will be frustrating if we are waiting to fill out the roster again in April/May but I think every program is in that same boat today. It does look like we might have to wait until spring to sign a top big man (if there are any available at that point).

    Hopefully my optimism isn’t for nothing



  • KU’s biggest need “BIGS”. We are pretty much all set for 2018 in the guard department.



  • Statmachine said:

    KU’s biggest need “BIGS”. We are pretty much all set for 2018 in the guard department.

    Eh, losing three guards minimum if you count Svi as a guard. I agree though, bigs are needed. Problem is KU isn’t well positioned for any of the 2018 top post players. Wonder if any of the 19 targets are reclassification possibilities.



  • @BShark

    We will not really know until next year. If Udoka and Preston leave along with Whitman then there will be lots of playing time available; if they decide to stay…not so much.

    I am sure the available bigs will wait until next year to see how much PT is available before making a commitment. All the potential OAD players will want plenty of PT since they want to showcase their talent in the one year they play.



  • Hard to see a top big signing in the fall at KU without the staff convincing those guys that Doke won’t be here next year. Lawson already has the 4 spot locked down so regardless of whether Preston returns we already have 2 PF’s set to be back after this season. We could see the staff land an under the radar big or someone that will develop over time in the fall. There is going to be anywhere from 3-7 spots open after this season.



  • @Kcmatt7 YEP - - -Score one for the ladies - -let the recruits get a really good feel of the campus when EVERYONE is here your right, I by far not saying I’m right for sure - just curious your probably right - -makes sense - -ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY



  • @BeddieKU23 Someone like Steere possibly, he is not a huge quality guy - -goog but probably a 3-4 yr player might land him . - -ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY



  • @BeddieKU23 0 centers if Doke goes, I know it’s a dying position but still. And yeah that’s a lot of variance with 3-7 slots. My guess on the flex slots: Doke, Preston, Vick and Newman. I’d lean towards Newman being gone for sure though.

    @jayballer54 Yeah Steere would be a great depth and develop addition.



  • In 2018 we will have K.J. Lawson (which one of the reporters this week said was the biggest surprise out of the camp). Charlie Moore who we all know has been selected to try out for the U19 team. Marcus Garrett who turned out to be the HS Texas player of the year (which surprised everyone here in TX). Sam Cunliffe which put up 10ppg at ASU which I would have to say is solid freshman production. Lagerald Vick is a BIG question mark BUT I think he will be back (not everyone is going pro unless we win it all).

    Garrett played PG in HS and will be an excellent secondary ball handler with Moore running the point. Cunliffe or K.J Lawson at the 3. You could go small and play K.J at the 4 and Dedric at the 5 if we don’t sign another solid BIG? Maybe we will get lucky and get another year out of Udoka or Preston? I think our biggest need will be bigs though.



  • @Statmachine you just listed a lot of wings except for Moore. Need GUARDS. Edit: Also I’m not sold on KJ Lawson or Cunliffe being any good. We will see…

    If we are trotting out Moore, Garrett, Lawson, Cunliffe, Vick then ball handling would be a major issue and Moore would need to play as many minutes as possible. Adding a couple more guards if possible greatly relieves that pressure. Nudge Vick into the draft and get 2/3 Dotson, Grimes, Carey. Sounds perfect to me but closing the deal is another story.

    Edit again: Recent comments from recruiting articles indicate that KU wants a 2 PG type look if possible and that Grimes is absolute top priority.



  • @BShark Why would you want to force out potentially the only senior on the 2018-19 team? Seems like a good way to ruin a potentially stacked 2019 class for KU.



  • @BShark Moore and Garrett are both PG’s. Thus the 2 PG system is still in play.



  • I think the staff sees Garrett as a wing.

    @Texas-Hawk-10 I just think he would be the most likely candidate. I also think he is the best player out of all those wings so I see your point. He might just go pro anyway.



  • http://www2.kusports.com/news/2016/aug/01/ku-lands-commitment-4-star-dallas-pg-marcus-garret/

    He averaged almost a triple double with 17pts 10assists and 8boards. He will be a secondary ball handler/second pg. I have watched him play and he is def a tall PG.



  • Statmachine said:

    http://www2.kusports.com/news/2016/aug/01/ku-lands-commitment-4-star-dallas-pg-marcus-garret/

    He averaged almost a triple double with 17pts 10assists and 8boards. He will be a secondary ball handler/second pg. I have watched him play and he is def a tall PG.

    I know plenty about Garrett. Lots of kids think they are a PG. Not sure he translates to playing the position at the high D1 level. Fortunately he will have time to develop w/o being thrown into the fire.

    I’ve been wrong before and I’ll be wrong again though. I was very wrong about Bragg for example.

    Also to note I am excited about Garrett as a player/prospect and think he will be vg in years 2+ (hopefully +) I just don’t think he ever mans the point for KU. The season after next would likely be his only chance to anyway, with Jacobs and likely more coming in 19-20.



  • @BShark Vick may not even start this season and even if he does, he’ll likely be the 4th scoring option at best behind Newman, Graham, and Azubuike. I don’t see him leaving early because he’s not going to be a featured player this year for KU.



  • Vick is a high level athlete. If he shows an improved game he’ll have his chance to get to the combine. The NBA will be closely monitoring Vick’s progression.



  • @BShark How do players win conference rookie of the year awards like KJ did if they aren’t any good?



  • @BShark in what few videos I saw of Garrett it doesn’t seem like he will ever have the handles to be our PG. I dont think Self wants to go back to less than air tight ball handling. Having Frank at point after Tyshawn, EJ, Naadir… I am thinking never again. But never say never with Bill I guess. He will play the hand he’s got if it gives him an advantage somewhere.



  • mayjay said:

    @BShark How do players win conference rookie of the year awards like KJ did if they aren’t any good?

    Bad league. Also who was his competition for the award? That really is a serious question too, I have no idea about other FR in the AAC last season.

    Watch some Memphis games (or don’t because they were pretty bad, although Dedric is damn good), look at his numbers. It all adds up to not very good, for now, but players improve.

    Who knows, better talent around him, a year to hone his skills and maybe he gets more minutes than I’m thinking he will. He might end up being high major D1 good, he might not be, I just said I’m not sold on it based on what I’ve seen. Contrast with Newman and Moore who I think will be very good.


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