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Carlton Bragg May Choose The Kansas Jayhawks

By Joel Wagler

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Carlton Bragg, one of the top power forward prospects in the nation, is set to announce his school on Thursday. The Kansas Jayhawks are one of the schools on his short list.

According to Brian Snow of ScoutHoops.com, via the Bleacher/Report team feed, Bragg will choose between four schools, including Kansas on Thursday, January 8th.

"The decision for Bragg will come between UCLA, Kansas, Illinois, and Kentucky. At this point Bragg has made official visits to Kansas and Kentucky, while checking in with Illinois at different points during the process."

ESPN also lists Arizona has a possible landing spot for Bragg.

While Snow mentions that Bragg is the 12th ranked player overall in the Class of 2015, and the third ranked power forward, ESPN has Carlton Bragg listed at 18th overall, and the sixth power forward in the country.

Either way, he is still a big-time recruit, and would be a terrific addition for the Jayhawks. He has good size at 6’9″, 220 pounds, and seems to be a big, aggressive rebounder, according to the ESPN scouting report.

"Bragg is an ultra-athletic specimen who can impact the game in a variety of ways. He attacks the offensive glass, finishes in transition, and is an explosive around the rim. He has a lengthy frame with long arms and he has great feet."

The biggest detriment to Carlton Bragg choosing Kansas may be playing time. The Jayhawks have five big men presently on the roster. None are seniors, and none are close to being ready to declare for the NBA.

There is a chance Bragg could be good enough to immediately move into third on the depth chart, behind Ellis and Cliff Alexander, assuming the freshman can overtake upper classman, Jamari Traylor.

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Right now, Traylor has been starting ahead for Alexander, but the Traylor is better suited as a role player. Alexander has much more upside, but still hasn’t matured enough on the court to unseat Traylor on the depth chart. It is only a matter of time.

Traylor only averages 5.1 points a game, but does add 4.5 rebounds an outing. Alexander, through his first 13 collegiate games, is scoring 8.3 a game, and pulling down 5.8 rebounds.

If Bragg decides to join the Kansas Jayhawks next season, he would strengthen an experienced group of big men, and he may have enough talent to still earn plenty of minutes.

Both Bill Self of Kansas, and John Calipari of Kentucky, two of Bragg’s finalist, have had success with adding supremely talented recruits to their rosters who are willing to forego some minutes for a winning tradition. Kentucky has nine McDonald’s All-Americans on its roster this season, and Kansas has four.

Carlton Bragg would be a terrific addition for the Kansas Jayhawks should he choose to go to KU. If Bragg does come to Kansas, and can catch on to Self’s system quickly, Bragg will still be able to earn minutes, despite the depth the Jayhawks have.

Kansas has two scholarships, as of now, to give for next season. If Bragg comes to Kansas, surely Self will be searching for a point guard, as Frank Mason III is the only healthy floor general on the roster. That would be an area of need for the Jayhawks.

Let’s hope Carlton Bragg selects the Kansas Jayhawks!

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