2018 Recruiting Thread



  • @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.



  • Staff movements yesterday:

    Self watched Bryce Thompson a 2020 prospect. His father played for Self at Tulsa.

    Self watched Moses Brown a top 10 2018 7 footer, Emmitt Williams again who had a monster game and Bagley.

    Kurtis watched 2019 SF Malik Hall who unofficial visited in June.

    Assistants have tracked Jalen Johnson a top 20 2020 kid at UA event



  • James Wiseman a top 10 2019 post will visit KU and Kentucky he said yesterday.

    There is also chatter Bagley could move into 2017 and sign with USC… He will visit Duke after Peach Jam and then visit Arizona and USC and see where it goes from there. No Mention of KU even though Self has been at all his games… Perfect example of wasting your time.



  • Thanks.

    Hope the Bagley thing is just a rumour. I hope he ends up at Duke, UK or AZ provided it isn’t KU.

    Hall is a good player, but bad class for him to be a wing in. At least in terms of who KU is targeting.

    Haven’t read or seen much on Thompson but that’s a hell of an in.

    Wiseman appears to be a UK lean. From Tennessee though, so maybe KU has a shot…



  • Okay so he can shoot and is already 6’2’’.



  • @BeddieKU23 Agree with you on this time for sure. - I really feel that if not all at least most of the KU fans would more then willingly agree, we know Bagley not coming here, so why waste the time that could be spent on more legit possibilities?

    We were NEVER really a serious contender for him - I personally feel he added us at the last minute as more of a courtesy then reality, this is just another case of wasting time like you say while main while back at the ranch other top notch quality players are slipping through the hour glass

    Coach stated this could be the most important recruiting class we have had, saying we need Big’s - - - - we need small - - -we need tall wings - - - he says recruiting everything

    Saying we could lose possible 6 from this year. We know Graham - - -SVI - - & Whitman gone - -then the possibility of Doke, - - Newman - - -Preston - - -Vick. - -need a very solid recruiting class. - - - ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY



  • @BShark

    Bagley’s deal is probably just a rumor but who knows with that kid.

    Hall plays for Mokan, he’s played well this week but we all know the growing Mokan curse we have going on.

    Thompson hit a bunch of 3’s in front of Self. Bet we keep on him if he continues to progress.

    Agree on Wiseman. Interesting enough he said he’d visit this summer…



  • @jayballer54

    At least the staff has been active after Emmitt Williams and Moses Brown which are 2 more logical targets.

    For example I believe Self watched Jalen Carey yesterday morning who had a monster game and then played again later and Self wasn’t there meanwhile Syracuse, Uconn, Rutgers and Seton Hall were all front and center. All the local schools that are pursuing him. If you want to get a kid away from the East Coast you gotta keep on him. If he missed Carey’s game to watch Bagley I would be mad. Can’t confirm but that would be a perfect example of wasted recruiting.



  • BeddieKU23 said:

    @BShark

    Bagley’s deal is probably just a rumor but who knows with that kid.

    Hall plays for Mokan, he’s played well this week but we all know the growing Mokan curse we have going on.

    Thompson hit a bunch of 3’s in front of Self. Bet we keep on him if he continues to progress.

    Agree on Wiseman. Interesting enough he said he’d visit this summer…

    With Hall I think he is a very nice player it’s just bad timing. KJ and Cunliffe could still both be on the roster. Then KU is in on Hurt, Lawson, Jeffries and JRE. None are pure wings except Jeffries but all are combo-forwardish. This is also part of why I would see Wiseman being a hard pull. The staff won’t pass on JRE or Lawson. Could Wiseman be convinced to play center? Cal is certainly telling the kid he is a forward or hell, a wing (even though he isn’t). The kid that visited the same day as Hall, interestingly enough plays the same position. I think it’s worth keeping tabs on both. Especially given that Jeffries is not as much of a slam dunk to commit as Lawson or JRE.



  • And yeah definitely think they keep tabs on Thompson. Gotta think it would be fairly easy to close if wanted.



  • just a few tidbits. - -read off SB Nation article written by Jeremy Chisenhall , kind of amusing stating that Kentucky might be losing ground on two of their top recruiting targets for 2018: - - Bol Bol , and Romeo Langford.

    Talking about a lot of the experts picking different schools more and more Kentucky being mentioned less. Talk is that after Bol , Bol was cut from the U-19 class and Langfords limited playing time. Of Course Romeo was due to the fact of his back strain.

    Mentioned how now Arizona, UCLA , & USC are schools mentioned more for Bol. makes sense since he moved to West Coast. Jerry Meyer the National Analyst changing his pick from UK to USC - -again this is coming from Kentucky SB Nation.

    As far as Romeo Evan Daniels is saying UK is fading fast in his recruitment - -saying that Indiana - - - Louisville - - And KU are the big three in the mix for him and to keep an eye on them for him. Yes all of the Big Blue Nation fans is all up in arms with this: Screw them if they aren’t with us then they are their enemy - - -If we don’t get these two we may just have the best recruiting class again instead of the best in the past decade etc, etc, etc. gives me some laughs

    So I thought and still think Romeo is Louisville, thought so for awhile, what you think? Also Carey says that Syracuse and U Conn are the two that have been working the hardest for him said Self was at yesterdays game BUT he said mainly U Conn and for sure Syracuse. - - -ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY



  • @jayballer54 KU, Louisvile and IU.

    Wonder what those schools have in common…



  • @Kcmatt7 I’m thinkin you know lol - - I don’t. What is it? - - -ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY



  • @jayballer54 They all have 3 stripes on their jerseys.



  • Wouldn’t you think that the latest news out of Louisville would hurt their chances with all of the recruits considering them?





  • @BShark ? No KU offer? Looks like he made a big jump in the rankings. His timeline says he decommited from Arkansas before he committed to Arkansas? But I assume he’s available.



  • KU was one of the first schools to reach out to him after he decommitted.



  • Perry said he decommitted to be closer to home, his dad is sick?



  • Something along those lines. We will see how truthful that ends up being.



  • Grimes dropped 41 last night, he looked great. Self was there and he mentioned he’s excited to get on the hawks campus for a visit



  • @BeddieKU23

    🔥

    I do think he ends up at KU. Just so many factors in favour of KU and he is being prioritized. I remember some he is interested in UK rumblings but I mean what kid wouldn’t be plus with UK taking Quickley plus Green and Alexander both likely not being OAD, it’d be hard to see Grimes going there. Whereas Grimes starts at KU from day one.



  • @BShark I don’t see Grimes starting at KU. His competition would be Charlie Moore at PG who wasn’t a slouch and will have a year in the system. Lagerald Vick will be a senior starting at the 2 and the featured player for Self in 2018. Marcus Garrett will also be in the mix so Crimes would likely be fighting Garrett for the first guard off the bench role and then take over the 2 spot in 2019 after Vick graduates.



  • Vick is a wing. Moore, Grimes, Vick. Really good trio there.



  • @Texas-Hawk-10 If Vick comes back for his Senior season.- - -ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY



  • @BShark 2018 will be Moore, Vick, Cunliffe/Garrett in the back court. Vick is a 2, he doesn’t have the mass to play the 3. Grimes would have to beat out Garrett and Cunliffe to start which would give KU a pretty small back court.

    If KU lands Grimes, he backs up Moore and then slides into the line up in 2019 after Vick graduates and plays alongside Moore and Garrett.



  • @jayballer54 Vick will be back. Vest case scenario this year is he’s the 4th option whereas in 2018, he’d likely be the #1 option.



  • From a UK slanted article

    When he trims his list of schools in the next two weeks, Kansas, Kentucky, Arizona and Texas will definitely make the cut, Grimes said. The Jayhawks are considered heavy favorites and their head coach sat right under the basket for his game Saturday.

    “They’re probably the strongest right now. They call me every day, Bill Self is big on me and my mom went to Kansas,” Grimes said. “But she doesn’t put any pressure on me to go there at all, so it’s really my decision. I wouldn’t count anybody out, really, because every school is different, has a different sell, a different pitch. Every school has a good chance of getting me right now.”

    Andrew Slater‏ @ASlater247

    5⭐️Quentin Grimes dropped 41 today for Basketball U. Will cut list soon, but KU, Texas, Zona & Baylor have stood out

    Self watched two players the other day: Grimes and Zion. Self has been at every game of Grimes so far I believe. That says a lot.

    Snacks watched Tyrese Maxey and Hunter Dickinson. Roberts watched Lawson, Jeffries and Carey.

    Howard and Townsend watched Keldon Johnson. Very good player, but maybe too late to get involved?



  • @HighEliteMajor I’m right with you on the bit about following Self’s recruiting with a passive outlook. Again and again the guy pulls short or long term rabbits out of the recruiting fold. I now tend to focus more on the intricacies of chemistry, temperament and conduct of team dynamics and untested newcomers. If attitude and determination are there, almost any top 150 recruit can grow into a major contributor over time in the current Jayhawk schematic. The mix of high school talent levels which Self and Co. continue to bring to Lawrence is absolutely astounding. And now the coaching staff appears to be leading Division 1 units in luring talented transfers and early grads…



  • @BShark

    I’d like to believe we are getting Grimes but I just can’t put much faith in these kids.

    From what we know It looks like KU has a great chance with him and we just need to get him on campus



  • @REHawk It helps that Self is a great coach.

    @BeddieKU23 After Ayton especially I will never count a player before they are signed. Self has done all he can with Grimes. That doesn’t mean it will work out but the staff is definitely all-in here and putting forth the effort.

    Oh and of course he says it’s open. Uncommitted recruits will pretty much always say that. Even up until the day they commit. Not saying he is a lock to KU at all, but he said what he pretty much had to say more or less, especially to a UK reporter.





  • “They’re probably the strongest right now. They call me every day, Bill Self is big on me and my mom went to Kansas,” Grimes said.

    Mr Grimes needs to learn it’s not Bill Self, it’s Coach Self. Learn to show some respect young man.



  • @brooksmd “Bill” certainly would have been too informal, “Self” definitely would have been disrespectful (ask Bobby K), but I think using his full name wasn’t disrespectful in the context of a discussion of his relationship with the school.



  • I haven’t followed Grimes. I know you guys have talked about him before. Good kid?



  • @approxinfinity

    Really good. Big guard at 6’4 who can both run the offense and play off the ball. Not the crazy elite athlete like Wiggins or Jackson, I would say comparable to Wayne Selden.

    He seems like a good kid and has a good motor on the court which I think would help him become a starter as a freshman. He’s one of the top 3 guards in the class IMO


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