2018 Recruiting Thread



  • @BeddieKU23 Isn’t Snacks the reason that the Chicago pipeline has sort of reopened? He landed Cliff and Jacobs. Is he really doing much worse than anyone else recruiting?



  • @Kcmatt7

    He’s a bit of a lightning rod in large segments of the fanbase. He ran point on some high profile misses.

    Otoh he ran point on Garrett and Jacobs. Plus was a factor for Moore. If he keeps the ILL/Chicago commits flowing he isn’t going anywhere.



  • Ruhroh, Marcedus Leech visiting UK…



  • @BShark I guess its easier for some people to blame the person recruiting them in order to rationalize the decision of a 17 or 18 year old kid.



  • http://kentucky.247sports.com/Article/Kentucky-Wildcats-hosting-top-50-junior-Marcedus-Leech-for-unoff-53378575

    He hold early offers from Kansas, Iowa State, Miami, Missouri, Vanderbilt and Washington among others, but told D1Vision that Kentucky is his dream school.

    Just another kid KU was supposedly the early favourite for that will end up at UK, Duke or AZ.



  • @Kcmatt7

    No I don’t think he’s doing sub-par to the rest of the staff. He’s gotten a lot of criticism since he’s been here, part of that falls on his arrest and poor judgement. I’ve held nothing against him in that regard and see no reason to. I had forgot he has run point on some other guys we currently have or will have in the future as well. I think he’s starting to get settled in and connect with recruits and with him being younger then the rest of the staff he has an advantage.

    I was just making my opinion that if Miller doesn’t come to KU (given he’s already a top 25 2020 kid) with the connection he has with Howard then we’ll have to discuss that when it comes up.



  • BShark said:

    http://kentucky.247sports.com/Article/Kentucky-Wildcats-hosting-top-50-junior-Marcedus-Leech-for-unoff-53378575

    He hold early offers from Kansas, Iowa State, Miami, Missouri, Vanderbilt and Washington among others, but told D1Vision that Kentucky is his dream school.

    Just another kid KU was supposedly the early favourite for that will end up at UK, Duke or AZ.

    It’s not like we have heard anything about KU’s involvement in almost a year with him. The staff might be after others but I wouldn’t agree with that decision. Leech is worth attention



  • @BeddieKU23

    Yeah it would be a bad look if KU wanted Miller but missed. For anyone that doesn’t know, Jerrance went to high school with Miller’s mom. The recent unofficial visit was a complete slam dunk, home run etc…

    Assuming Barrett reclassifies, Leech was actually my preferred realistic target for wing/guard in 19. Doesn’t look likely now though. I’d keep an eye on Terrence Hargrove JR now. KU is in on a lot of combo forward types, but I think the staff views them as bigs/post players. Ie Hurt, C Lawson, JRE etc…



  • J Smart to LSU.



  • Just realized LSU and Missouri are in same conference with same mascot. Smh



  • approxinfinity said:

    Just realized LSU and Missouri are in same conference with same mascot. Smh

    Auburn as well.



  • @BShark tigers and tigers and tigers. Oh my! 🙄



  • Howard did suck early on at landing his targets, there’s no disputing that. He had a lot of misses on high profile players and even some 3-4 year guys. The reality is that Howard is finally finding his footing in recruiting for KU and is finally starting to land more players so the idea of replacing him is becoming less appealing for now as long as he keeps landing solid players. Now if the players he’s landing flame out or don’t live up to expectations, then that’s a problem. Cliff Alexander was his first big time signing and that didn’t go well. He was also the lead on a couple of the other “issue” players if I’m not mistaken. While I’m not ready to say I have no worries about Snacks going forward, I do believe the leash is getting longer based on what he’s accomplishing right now.



  • @Texas-Hawk-10 Is it really his fault if players don’t pan out? Isn’t Bill the one who watches these guys and picks the ones he wants out? Then he sends the minions to do his bidding?



  • @Kcmatt7 In some cases, absolutely it’s Snacks fault. If he’s their position coach and they don’t develop, that 100% falls in Snacks.

    The assistant coaches are usually the first ones to bring a player to World’s attention in the first place because Self can’t be everywhere. Too many misses like that and it would absolutely make someone question Snacks eye for talent as well.



  • Looks like Naz Reid might pop for LSU soon. Hoo boy.



  • @BShark Where’d you hear that?



  • @wissox

    Just le scuttlebutttt currently. They kind of came out of nowhere here to get his first ov and are um, making a real push if you know what I mean. Even UK people are saying LSU, and they ALWAYS say UK.

    It’s pretty crazy how crummy SEC schools with average to below average coaches who put forth not so great results continue to get top players. It’s almost like recruiting is shady. 😲



  • @wissox Doesn’t hurt that they got Smart to commit either as I believe him and Reid are friends right? - - - don’t think we had to much of a shot a Reid anyways, I was hearing he was Kentucky, could be wrong. - - ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY



  • Whole slew of top 100 kids off the board and none of them to the good guys…



  • Whole slew of top 100 kids off the board and none of them to the good guys…



  • You can say that again!



  • @BShark It’s almost like recruiting is shady. What he said.



  • @BeddieKU23

    Normally I’d say it’s early, but yeah lots of commitments already.



  • @BShark

    And even more kids off the board in the last few days. Same song and dance.

    9 of the top 30 off the board.

    9 from 30-50

    19 from 60-100.

    That makes 37 of the top 100 gone already. Seems to be filling up earlier then past seasons





  • @dylans

    Nope, nope, maybe, nope, nope, nope, nope, nope.

    Just my opinion obviously. I find it weird that the article didn’t mention some players that are more likely to end up at KU. Then again, it’s from Shay sooooo.



  • @BShark What will we complain about if only realistic recruits are listed? Makes the recruiting embargo talk more interesting if all the top 10 guys are listed.



  • dylans said:

    @BShark What will we complain about if only realistic recruits are listed? Makes the recruiting embargo talk more interesting if all the top 10 guys are listed.

    It was a lot more fun in HS talking about all the girls I wanted to ask out than it would have been to only talk about the smaller number who would accept!



  • @BShark

    I believe the articles is about the top 10 ranked players only.



  • At this point KU is unlikely to snag any of the top 10 recruits. Not to say things can’t change with any of these guys especially if they slow play their recruitment but to this point I don’t think there is any evidence out there that points to KU being a favorite or serious threat for any of those listed in the article.

    I hope we land some of our known targets and the last 3 weeks of July should really help those interested figure out where we stand with these kids



  • It’s not a matter of if we win 25+ games, it’s just a matter of how. I’m kind of to the point where I don’t even worry much about recruiting any more. Not that I’m disinterested in recruiting. But worrying about which prima donna chooses a KU hat has fallen off my radar. I’m still baffled by Julius Randle stiffing us back a few years ago. Thought that was a natural fit, and a lock to come to Lawrence. We get Mason as an afterthought and he’s perhaps the best player ever under Self. Then we land a perfect 4 (Bragg) and he flames out. OADs always seem to underwhelm in some manner or form, and then there’s JJ. No rhyme or reason to all of this. Just when we feel we’re behind the eight ball, Self snags someone late or a transfer.

    I follow this pretty passively now.



  • Ian Steere is off the board to Creighton. Liked his upside…



  • "Mr. Recruit, we have a lot to offer you for 2018: our point guard position is filled, but our 2/3 guard spot might be open providing you don’t mind beating out a potential Vick senior year, a young, promising Garrett, or a very athletic Cunfliffe. Now, Newman will probably declare, but he might not, so don’t let that worry hang over your head. Could we see a KJ Lawson at the 3, or would it be Lawson/Lawson down low, or even a Doke/Lawson if the big guy comes back? Don’t forget we have a 3rd year big named Lightfoot as well. And if Mr. Preston sticks around, who knows where everyone will play. We might not be able to offer you a minute’s time as a starter next year, but you could end up in our rotation. Everything is clear as mud. Sign with us. "



  • @KUSTEVE

    We know the staff wants 2 guards in this class. I get the feeling we land one in the fall and hopefully another in the spring.

    Under the assumption Newman isn’t coming back there is that need. We all expect Newman to do well this season and its been widely known he only wants to spend a year here.

    Whether its at least 1 additional point guard to go with Charlie Moore, its safe to say we are after a ball handler and 2-way guards.

    If Vick has a monster year I expect he’ll test the NBA waters. His athletic ability will give him a chance especially if he tests well at the Combine. If he doesn’t leave I expect he could slide to the 2-guard position as a Senior and whatever guard(s) recruit we land will probably be his backup.

    Dotson (primarily a PG), Grimes (can play both on/off the ball), Dosunmu- 2 way player, Carey- another 2 way player are the primary targets KU can realistically get at this point. We will know starting this weekend who the staff is really following with the most important stretch of AAU ball upcoming.

    The situation down in the post is fluid.

    We could see Doke and Preston leave.

    Preston seems to be the most likely candidate seems how his game is a fit for the Modern NBA and if he presents enough upside even after a year I think he goes to the draft and stays. Plus Self recruited over him with Dedric and that will play a huge factor in him going. If Lightfoot continues to develop there won’t be much of a need for a PF. I expect we could even see KJ play some 4 with his defensive and rebounding skills. Seems like a position we have locked down and can focus on Jeremiah Robinson Earl in 2019.

    Doke, no denying he’s the type of player that could be extremely valuable for KU this season. His value in the NBA has diminished considerably with how teams are going small. Doke is the throwback, power Shaq-type that can’t shoot and will have to prove a lot this season. Too early to know what he’s going to do and the staff will probably be hoping all the top big’s in the class commit in the spring so that KU has a better chance with any of them. Right now I would say Doke returns for his junior year (even though he came to KU saying he was a 2 yr player).

    There is however a need for a backup big (primarily to play the 5), especially if Doke did return as a Jr. The staff doesn’t seem to be interested in any of the middle tier 4 star recruits that teams are scooping up (recently USC, Purdue, Creighton, Stanford, Villanova, Michigan St, Maryland have all locked down good post talent that KU could have easily been involved for). Off the top of the head it seems KU is all in on the premiere bigs in the Top 20 and will as usual now be in play for graduate transfers/de-commits from other schools etc in the spring.

    Will be very interesting to see what players join the good guys. Potentially 1-3 starting spots up for grabs depending on roster movement



  • @BeddieKU23 “Graduate transfers and de-commits.” I predict that Bill Self will continue to lean on such. Maybe Svi will help the coaching staff locate and recruit up and coming foreign talent. Although our Adidas draw base sometimes falters, Self has been masterful in filling specific slots. He seems to squeeze the max from players not listed as Top 30 hopefuls.



  • Well I know he is not a 2018 but I did know we had been recruiting him and now offered.

    2019 Balsa Koprivica - -7’1. - - KU, Oreg, Texas, Arizona St are the latest to offer - - joining Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech & LSU

    Koprivica says the schools that are talking to him the most are: UCLA, KU, Baylor, Miami, Florida, USC, Louisville, Florida St, Wake Forest, & Arizona

    He is transferring to Windermere Fl prep and will not be on the AAU circuit this summer.

    Has the foot work of a polished wing - -a once in a generation type of player deadly shooter from 18-20 feet Augustine compares him to two of the greatest Europe player ever to play in the NBA - - - Paul G asol & Dirk Nowitzki

    Ok so here is a question to end with all these show things that goes on - - -Augustine who runs the Adidas sponsored program - -Doesn’t KU wear Adidas? - - - I know we lose out it seems to some because of the shoe - -just saying, - - ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY



  • @jayballer54

    He visited Duke recently, expect every major program to be on him.



  • @REHawk

    I’m sure he will continue to keep an open mind with Graduate Transfers etc. Whitman for example seems like he will be an important role player this year and Tarik Black was equally important a few years ago.

    Svi, I believe we lucked into when recruiting others at the Nike Hoops Summit (a similar situation was how the staff got Frank Mason). There is a lot of European talent out there, I’m sure Svi helps with our visibility to those who wish to come to the states for Education and playing.



  • Verbal Commits for 2018 are falling quickly this year. - - 38-of top 100 already has made commitments .

    Norte Dame has 3 commits already, # 56 , # 81 , # 98 - - - - Arizona has 2 commits , # 24, # 28- - - -Louisville has 2 commits , # 23 , # 33 North Carolina has 2 commits, # 37 , # 66- - - - South Carolina has 2 commits, # 34 , # 53- - - - Stanford has 2 commits , # 41 , # 64- - - -Maryland ,has two commits , # 29, # 67- - - - California with 2 commits , # 82 , # 94 & Michigan State has two commits , # 75 , # 100 players. - - & `19 other schools with a commit. - - Falling quickly this year. Sure would like to see some early verbals this year, seems to be trending to late of season lately. Now I’m not saying get a kid to verbal early just to have a body - -simply saying it would be nice to get someone to make that early commit, so we wouldn’t have to be sitting around wondering about are targets in the late signing.

    2019 looks like it could be a very good year quite possibly I know no one gives us any kind what so ever - - -BUT I do - -I actually DO think we have a shot at RJ Barrett, - the # 1 player, I think we have a very legit shot - -ya ya I know everyone wants to talk Duke, it’s ok talk Duke, we shall wait and see but to the people giving us NO shot - -ummmm I feel you are way off. - - -# 3 Hurt we lead pretty substantial, I know some think we have lost some ground with him - - -which we have but I feel we are still ok, # 15 feels a lock for us, would be stunned to see him anywhere else, # 23 Lawson - - -again would be stunned if he landed anywhere else all things considered, and then # 40 Harvey - - lets make it a sweep of three in a row for a cinch to play here

    I know there are several Kentucky people that feel RJ Barrett will land at KU, and other sites I have read that say they think he is going to end up at KU - -we shall see, but for those again who say no shot - - - sorry, and we can get Wiggins to put in a plug for us, their pretty good friends - -you just might be surprised - - we shall see, ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY



  • So looks like Self and the staff will be rotating in and out of the 3 major AAU tournaments that start this week. Peach Jam, UA & Adidas as well as Peach State for Ayo.

    Nike EYBL Peach Jam - starts on Wednesday. Some of the KU targets EYBL has - Emmitt Williams, Bagley, Bol, Louis King, Jalen Carey and more.

    Ayo will be playing in the tourney for the teams that didn’t make Peach Jam

    Under Armour is in the ATL - Moses Brown, Naz Reid and more

    Adidas -Zion, Langford, Quickley, Grimes, Devon Dotson, Jordan Brown to name some.

    Looks like the staff should predominately be at Adidas if I were them. See Ayo and some of Peach Jam as well. I’m sure it will be the opposite…



  • @dylans

    Ha. Howling.

    @BeddieKU23

    I think KU has a better shot at RJ Barrett than anyone listed in that article. To be fair he hasn’t officially reclassed yet but he will.

    Shame about Steere. Seems like some KU targets see a path to minutes at Creighton. First Ballock, now Steere. Can’t blame Steere and he was probably a plan C, but stuff like this has made recruiting even more difficult.



  • BeddieKU23 said:

    So looks like Self and the staff will be rotating in and out of the 3 major AAU tournaments that start this week. Peach Jam, UA & Adidas as well as Peach State for Ayo.

    Nike EYBL Peach Jam - starts on Wednesday. Some of the KU targets EYBL has - Emmitt Williams, Bagley, Bol, Louis King, Jalen Carey and more.

    Ayo will be playing in the tourney for the teams that didn’t make Peach Jam

    Under Armour is in the ATL - Moses Brown, Naz Reid and more

    Adidas -Zion, Langford, Quickley, Grimes, Devon Dotson, Jordan Brown to name some.

    Looks like the staff should predominately be at Adidas if I were them. See Ayo and some of Peach Jam as well. I’m sure it will be the opposite…

    Extremely busy time now. I’d love to see a couple fall or earlier commitments for KU. Hell just one even, get Grimes signed.



  • BShark said:

    BeddieKU23 said:

    So looks like Self and the staff will be rotating in and out of the 3 major AAU tournaments that start this week. Peach Jam, UA & Adidas as well as Peach State for Ayo.

    Nike EYBL Peach Jam - starts on Wednesday. Some of the KU targets EYBL has - Emmitt Williams, Bagley, Bol, Louis King, Jalen Carey and more.

    Ayo will be playing in the tourney for the teams that didn’t make Peach Jam

    Under Armour is in the ATL - Moses Brown, Naz Reid and more

    Adidas -Zion, Langford, Quickley, Grimes, Devon Dotson, Jordan Brown to name some.

    Looks like the staff should predominately be at Adidas if I were them. See Ayo and some of Peach Jam as well. I’m sure it will be the opposite…

    Extremely busy time now. I’d love to see a couple fall or earlier commitments for KU. Hell just one even, get Grimes signed.

    I get the feeling Grimes might be one to hold out til spring.

    I’d be pressing Dotson/Carey for fall. Carey just visited Syracuse with his family which is never a good thing for everyone else…



  • @BShark

    If Barrett holds out til spring which is likely that’s KU’s best chance.

    The roster situation will have to open up to entice him if he’s all about that. We did land Jackson when we had other wings so its not impossible. But if we still have Vick, Cunliffe, Lawson & Garrett as wings on the roster its going to be a tough sell. After what he did at U19 the bidding war went up a notch



  • BeddieKU23 said:

    BShark said:

    BeddieKU23 said:

    So looks like Self and the staff will be rotating in and out of the 3 major AAU tournaments that start this week. Peach Jam, UA & Adidas as well as Peach State for Ayo.

    Nike EYBL Peach Jam - starts on Wednesday. Some of the KU targets EYBL has - Emmitt Williams, Bagley, Bol, Louis King, Jalen Carey and more.

    Ayo will be playing in the tourney for the teams that didn’t make Peach Jam

    Under Armour is in the ATL - Moses Brown, Naz Reid and more

    Adidas -Zion, Langford, Quickley, Grimes, Devon Dotson, Jordan Brown to name some.

    Looks like the staff should predominately be at Adidas if I were them. See Ayo and some of Peach Jam as well. I’m sure it will be the opposite…

    Extremely busy time now. I’d love to see a couple fall or earlier commitments for KU. Hell just one even, get Grimes signed.

    I get the feeling Grimes might be one to hold out til spring.

    I’d be pressing Dotson/Carey for fall. Carey just visited Syracuse with his family which is never a good thing for everyone else…

    Ugh, I hope not.

    And damn, I hope the staff isn’t trying to slow roll Carey.



  • BShark said:

    BeddieKU23 said:

    BShark said:

    BeddieKU23 said:

    So looks like Self and the staff will be rotating in and out of the 3 major AAU tournaments that start this week. Peach Jam, UA & Adidas as well as Peach State for Ayo.

    Nike EYBL Peach Jam - starts on Wednesday. Some of the KU targets EYBL has - Emmitt Williams, Bagley, Bol, Louis King, Jalen Carey and more.

    Ayo will be playing in the tourney for the teams that didn’t make Peach Jam

    Under Armour is in the ATL - Moses Brown, Naz Reid and more

    Adidas -Zion, Langford, Quickley, Grimes, Devon Dotson, Jordan Brown to name some.

    Looks like the staff should predominately be at Adidas if I were them. See Ayo and some of Peach Jam as well. I’m sure it will be the opposite…

    Extremely busy time now. I’d love to see a couple fall or earlier commitments for KU. Hell just one even, get Grimes signed.

    I get the feeling Grimes might be one to hold out til spring.

    I’d be pressing Dotson/Carey for fall. Carey just visited Syracuse with his family which is never a good thing for everyone else…

    Ugh, I hope not.

    And damn, I hope the staff isn’t trying to slow roll Carey.

    I don’t think they are slow rolling Carey but if they are we know we won’t land him. He’s visited schools in his area (Rutgers, Syracuse, Uconn, Seton Hall). He said he’d have to use an official to make it to Kansas which from what he said earlier this summer would happen.

    I don’t know if he’s brought his family on any other trips but Syracuse has turned up the heat on him and view him as one of their major guard targets. I’m just connecting the dots that if he was to commit this summer before official visits happened Syracuse could be the team.

    I see he moved up Rivals and 247’s rankings which we’ve said all along would happen.

    Hopefully the staff is watching his games at Peach Jam. That will tell us quick.

    As far as Grimes, he said this last month in June.

    Maybe I’ll cut it down to three or four schools before the start of my senior year and then look to take official visits," said Grimes. "I’m not sure when I’ll decide yet, maybe in the winter between signing periods because I don’t want to rush it."



  • Thanks @BeddieKU23 I don’t remember reading that from Grimes. But I was awol for a bit due to being really busy.

    And yep I like Carey. I’ll be paying close attention to updates on who KU is watching.



  • BShark said:

    Thanks @BeddieKU23 I don’t remember reading that from Grimes. But I was awol for a bit due to being really busy.

    And yep I like Carey. I’ll be paying close attention to updates on who KU is watching.

    Self watched Jalen Carey last night. Looks like that settles our question there

    After that watched Bagley vs Emmitt Williams with Kurtis



  • Interestingly Matt put in a CB for Emmitt Williams to KU after that game. And par for the course didn’t explain why to any of his paying followers.


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