Kansas Jayhawks Have 4 Signees in ESPN’s Top 50; No Word From Andrew Wiggins

According to the 2013 ESPN 100, which lists ESPN’s top 100 high school recruits, the Kansas Jayhawks have 4 in-coming players in the top 50 in the country.

The biggest surprise on this list is that Joel Embiid, the 6’11”, 230-pound center for Gainsville, Florida (and Cameroon), is slotted number 6 overall. Embiid is not as experienced in the game as some other recruits but he must be coming allow just fine. Kansas Head Coach Bill Self has a history of successfully developing big men, so hopefully this trend will continue with Embiid. ESPN blocks most of the scouting report but did offer this snippet:

"This is a kid who is raw but coming on and quickly. The Cameroonian big man has all the physical tools but that’s not why he’s going to make it big. In addition to the tools, size and athleticism he has coordination, explosion and an uncommon agility…"

Wayne Seldon, the 6’5″, 220-pounder from Boston, comes in at #14 on ESPN’s list. The McDonald’s All-American is one of those all purpose swing guard types that Self seems to love. Here is Seldon’s brief scouting report from ESPN:

"When it comes to power and strength Selden is at the top of his class. His ability to overpower defenders with his college ready body is what separates him from the pack. He goes strong to the rim, going right at any shot-blocker, and consequently getting to the free-throw line…"

Another Jayhawk recruit, Wichita, Kansas native Conner Frankamp, a 6’0″, 155 pound guard, is number 46. Just looking at his size, he will probably need to add some strength to compete at a Big 12 level. Frankamp has been a scorer in high school but Self will need him to handle the ball at Kansas. ESPN notes that his is improving in that area:

"Frankamp was more of a shooting guard when we first evaluated him mostly because of his elite shooting ability. Recently he has really improved his point guard skills. He breaks pressure and has done a great job of getting others involved especially in the areas of passing…"

Right after Frankamp on the list at #47 is lanky shooting guard Brannen Greene, 6’6″, 215-pounder. Greene is yet another long guard Self can run out onto the court to disrupt offenses while filling the basket for the Jayhawks. ESPN likes his shooting skills:

"Greene is a dynamic shooter. He possesses a classic jump shot and a solid well rounded offensive package. He is a good athlete that is effective attacking seams in transition. He has a solid mid range game and uses his size to get his shot off easily against smaller players."

There are only two players on the ESPN 100 list that have not yet declared for a school. Kansas is listed as having offered both a scholarship. Top overall recruit Andrew Wiggins has not yet picked which university he will attend but it is well documented that he has narrowed his choices down to 4 – Kansas, Kentucky, North Carolina, and Florida State. It is only speculation on where Wiggins will go because he and his family have played things close to the vest. Here’s to hoping he chooses soon and doesn’t pick Kentucky, which already has 6 of the top 25 on ESPN’s list, including 5 of the top 9.

The other undecided player is another shooting guard, Allerick Freeman from Charlotte, North Carolina. According to ESPN, Freeman, #72, has offers from Kansas, UCLA, Duke, Villanova, and Ohio State. There is no time table for his announcement. Here is ESPN’s scouting report:

"Allerik is one of the more unique players in the Class of 2013. He can play the 2 or the 3. He has the ability to create as a passer. He possesses an exceptionally strong upper body and can best be described as a power wing player."

Kansas has 2 more scholarships to fill if Self so chooses. It is no secret he would like to add Andrew Wiggins but who knows how long Wiggins will keep his four schools wiggling on the line. The Jayhawks can survive without either Wiggins or Freeman but it is always nice to have as much talent as possible. Kansas already has the four recruits listed above, plus point guard Frank Mason. Add those players with the returning players already on the roster, and the Jayhawks will be very young but very talented. Don’t look for a big drop off at Kansas in 2013-1014.