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Jalil Bethea cuts final list of schools to five, Kansas basketball included

By Joshua Schulman

Archbishop Wood junior Jalil Bethea drives past Roman Catholic's Xzayvier Brown during the PIAA Class 6A semifinal game against Roman Catholic at Bensalem High School on Tuesday, March 21, 2023. The Vikings fell, 66-56.
Archbishop Wood junior Jalil Bethea drives past Roman Catholic's Xzayvier Brown during the PIAA Class 6A semifinal game against Roman Catholic at Bensalem High School on Tuesday, March 21, 2023. The Vikings fell, 66-56. /
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Jalil Bethea is down to five schools, and Kansas basketball made his final list. Find out what it means for the Jayhawks.

One of the most highly coveted incoming seniors is still considering the Kansas Jayhawks. It is huge news for KU, a school that is without a verbal commit in the Class of 2024 yet.

He announced he was cutting his list to five schools — Kansas, Alabama, Syracuse, Villanova, and Miami (FL). Among those candidates, Jalil Bethea plans to visit KU first on Aug. 31. He has also scheduled official visits with Miami on Sep. 8, Syracuse on Sep. 15, and Alabama on Sep. 23.

Bethea, who has skyrocketed up the No. 12 in the nation on the 247 Sports Composite, is a hot commodity on the recruiting trail. The 6-foot-4 combo guard from Archbishop Wood High School is an extremely versatile talent. He is one of the purest shooters in his class and creates easy buckets for teammates.

He began to receive increased recognition after he set Peach Jam on fire earlier this July. After being ranked just outside the top 75 as a junior, Bethea has flipped the script in less than a year.

READ: 10 greatest big men in KU basketball history

Kansas only offered him a scholarship in May, so it is encouraging to see things moving quickly between the two parties. Bill Self has prioritized him for several months now. This is what Bethea had to say about Kansas basketball on June 14:

“They [KU coaches] are basically saying that they can use me as an all-around player. If I go there, I could be the next big player to come out of Kansas, and they showed me all the players they produce. I guess they’ve been watching me since last season and now they are getting a little more serious.”

Syracuse is the only remaining school that he has already visited in the past, and they’ve been recruiting him for quite some time. Although they might have leverage there, not many schools can offer the NIL benefits and Hall of Fame level coaching that KU has.

If Kansas basketball could obtain a pledge from Bethea sometime this fall, it would be an enormous get for the coaching staff. 4-star guard Jared Harris will also be on campus for an official visit when Bethea touches down in Lawrence.

Next. Marcus Adams Jr. explains his decision to leave Kansas basketball. dark

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