Kansas basketball: Breaking down the 2020 recruiting class

Bryce Thompson, Guard – Five-star recruit

Bryce Thompson is one of the top 20 recruits in the country according to Rivals. The combo guard out of Booker T. Washington High School in Oklahoma has NBA level skill and potential, and he’s the highest-rated recruit in the Jayhawks’ 2020 class.

As a five-star recruit, Thompson held offers from North Carolina, Michigan State, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, and other big-time schools. Head coach Bill Self had an advantage in this one though.

Bryce Thompson’s father, Rod, played for Self back in the late ’90s when he was the head coach of the Tulsa Golden Hurricane. That family connection evidently played a big role in the Jayhawks landing the coveted recruit:

"“Coach Self coached my dad at Tulsa. That means a lot. Their relationship has remained strong since my dad graduated in 1998. As one of coach Self’s players, my dad knows coach Self’s level of expectation and the intensity he requires each time players take the floor. Coach Self is the type of coach I want to play for.”  – Bryce Thompson via Tulsa World"

Thompson stands at six-foot-four and 180 pounds. 247 Sports calls him a “big-time scorer,” with the ability to distribute as well, making him an extremely valuable prospect. He’s the kind of guard that could come to Kansas, make a major impact in his freshman season, and then be off to the NBA.

Just about a week ago, Thompson was selected as a McDonald’s All American, one of the most prestigious honors a high school basketball recruit can have. The all-star game is scheduled for Wednesday, April 1 in Houston.

Pulling off the recruitment of Thompson just goes to show how great of a recruiter Bill Self is. Even with NCAA allegations and all the havoc surrounding the program right now, he was able to bring in one of the top-rated guards in the country.

This recruiting class could be special. It’s filled to the brim with talent, and a lot of credit has to go to Bill Self and the coaching staff for going out and getting these guys. Despite looming allegations in the distance, the future is still very bright for Kansas basketball.