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Kansas Jayhawks: Basketball Recruiting Index

By Ryan Noel

Feb 2, 2015; Lawrence, KS, USA; The Kansas Jayhawks fans cheer from the stands during the second half against the Iowa State Cyclones at Allen Fieldhouse. The Jawhawks won 89-76. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 2, 2015; Lawrence, KS, USA; The Kansas Jayhawks fans cheer from the stands during the second half against the Iowa State Cyclones at Allen Fieldhouse. The Jawhawks won 89-76. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /
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Deandre Ayton – California Supreme – Nike EYBL

#1 Overall, #1 Center

The top player in the class is starting to see his recruitment finally pick up a bit, thanks to growing confidence that he will be able to get eligible for NCAA play. Kansas has followed his every move for some time and, through the process, made it clear they were the only ones heavily recruiting him despite the potential NCAA issues.

What’s his game like?

Ayton is the prototypical center in this new era of basketball. He’s big, long, and athletic, and is fully capable of defending the pick-and-roll. He’s a gifted shot-blocker down low that also has a good frame to put weight on.

Offensively, Ayton fits that new-era playstyle because of his ability to shoot three pointers and handle the ball. If he were to ultimately head to Kansas, he’s an excellent fit in the Bill Self system, as he can score with a variety of skills in the paint and can also make the high-low passes Kansas has been missing over the past few years.

Rumor Central

There are plenty of rumors floating around about Ayton, his recruitment, and his eligibility. Will he go to Kentucky if they offer? Will Nike play a big role? Will he even go to college?

From what we gathered last week, he’ll go to college, despite the questions this week about other guys going overseas like Terrance Ferguson and Emmanuel Mudiay. His mom wants him to go to a college and he wants to go to a college. Unless something happens to further affect his potential eligiblity – and right now, he appears to be in the clear – we fully expect him to try to play college ball.

Where will that be? Everything still points to Kansas, despite the recent buzz about Kentucky and Arizona. Ayton was fairly public about Kansas being the only major school to recruit him, and that seems to have stuck with him. Kansas – and by Kansas, I mean Kurtis Townsend – has been following Ayton for quite a while, and there seems to be a good amount of trust built up in that relationship.

Kentucky is certainly a threat, especially given Nike’s involvement (they’re the reason he is now with California Supreme in EYBL play and no longer a part of the Under Armour Association circuit), but how much of a threat has really yet to be determined.

Next: Trae Young

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