Volume 126 Issue 43
kansan.com
Thursday, November 7, 2013
COMMENTARY Self catches lucky break in recruitment
As if Bill Self needed any lucky breaks on the recruiting trail recently, one of his biggest targets for next year's recruiting class just so happens to be dating a freshman on the Kansas women's basketball team.
Forward Cliff Alexander, the No. 4 recruit in the Class of 2014, will choose between Kansas and three other schools—Illinois, DePaul, Memphis—on November 15 on ESPN9. His last weekend before the announcement will be spent here in Lawrence watching his girlfriend, freshman Caelynn Allen-Manning, play against Oral Roberts on Sunday afternoon in Allen Fieldhouse.
It's a boost that a recruiter like Self at a place like Kansas doesn't need, but will gladly take. Alexander recently cut the only other powerhouse on his list, Michigan State, and is down to a few local schools and Memphis. If having his girlfriend on campus wasn't enough to lure the big man, Self has another trump card. Assistant coach Jerrance Howard was the first coach to recruit Alexander a few years ago while he was coaching at Illinois. Every sign points to a happy Kansas coaching staff and fanbase after next Friday's announcement.
But Alexander isn't the only Top 5 recruit that Self is trying to sign. Center Jahilil Okafor (No.1) and point guard Tyus Jones (No.5) have said all along that they will play college basketball together, and both players have Kansas and Duke on their lists. They were also in town—and the reason—for the impromptu open scrimmage a few weeks ago in Allen Fieldhouse. Alexander and Okafor aren't playing together next year, leaving three viable options for Kansas: Alexander commits, Okafar and Jones commit, or all three players go elsewhere, which is doubtful.
And while Okafor and Jones won't commit before Alexander's announcement next week, it is hard to see Self turning down two Top 5 players in order to land one player. If Okafer and Jones are coming to Kansas, Alexander likely won't commit next Friday. If Alexander does commit to Kansas Friday, Okafar and Jones were probably going elsewhere. Confused yet?
Whatever happens, Self should have at least one cornerstone of next year's recruiting class locked down shortly, allowing him to fill in any more pieces as he deems appropriate while finding room for more Final Four banners.
Edited by Sarah Kramer
KICKER COMEBACK
After a rough 2012 campaign, Ron Doherty redeems himself against Texas
PAGE 3B
SEASON FINALE
Jayhawks fall short in Big 12 quarterfinals against West Virginia, ending season
PAGE 3B
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