Kansas Target Cody Riley Commits to UCLA
By Kyle Abbott
After taking an official visit to UCLA last weekend, Kansas basketball target Cody Riley ended his recruitment today by committing to the Bruins. Where do the Jayhawks go from here?
For the majority of Riley’s recruitment, it seemed that UCLA was the leader. He goes to high school at Sierra Canyon, also in southern California. After DeAndre Ayton committed to Arizona, there was some chatter that the KU basketball staff would target Riley more heavily. Riley, originally a Kansas City native, also attended Late Night in the Phog, leading some to believe that Kansas was making up ground. Riley’s announcement today ends that speculation.
More from Kansas Basketball Recruiting
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- Kansas basketball: How Gradey Dick can influence college decision for 5-star Liam McNeeley
- Kansas basketball: Labaron Philon confirms official visit date with Jayhawks
- Amier Ali includes Kansas basketball as one of five schools in final list
Where do the Jayhawks turn?
The Jayhawks are still pursuing several big men in the class of 2017. The most likely to commit to Kansas is 6’10” Deng Gak, who is scheduled to visit next weekend. Gak is a project, but could be a very good player as an upperclassman. Earlier in the week, we wrote more in depth about Gak’s game and recruitment.
The other name on Kansas’s radar is Billy Preston. Preston is a multi-talented 6’10” combo forward who can really score the basketball. The issues with Preston are off the floor. There are questions to whether Preston can qualify, after he spent two seasons at Prime Prep/Advanced Prep International, which does not have NCAA accreditation. There are also rumors that Preston will play overseas instead of college basketball. After missing on DeAndre Ayton and Cody Riley, it may be time for the staff to gamble on Preston’s talent, and continue to heavily recruit the big man.
Kansas’s recruiting is off to a shaky start for the class of 2017, but rest assured, head coach Bill Self and the coaching staff will still compete for conference titles with the talent they bring to Lawrence. I fully expect more talented targets to consider Kansas in the near future.