Jayhawks Basketball Recruiting: Mitch Lightfoot Nearing Decision

Kansas Jayhawks recruiting target Mitch Lightfoot may declare his college choice this weekend.

The Kansas Jayhawks recruiting news has all been speculation thus far, but Bill Self could land his first prospect for 2016 class. Mitch Lightfoot may declare his college choice this weekend.

With the loss of Perry Ellis, Hunter Mickelson, and Jamari Traylor after this season, the Jayhawks basketball team needs to recruit some big men.

Big men such as Harry Giles, Marques Bolden, Jarrett Allen, Udoka Azubuike, Schnider Herard, and Mitch Lightfoot are all on the Jayhawks radar.

A lot is at stake because Wayne Selden Jr. and Cheick Diallo have the chance to declare for the draft so the team could be full of scholarship spots.

Mitch Lightfoot is making a decision this Saturday, October 24th, at the Arizona Preps Fall Showcase. His top choices include Utah, Stanford, St. John’s, Arizona, and Kansas.

He has visited all five of the schools recently taking officials to Kansas, St. John’s, and Arizona. Lightfoot is a 6’8″ power forward who can play the three if needed. On 247 Sports, he is ranked 113th nationally and 24th at his position.

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Born in the Kansas City area, later moved to Tucson, Arizona, but now lives in Gilbert, Arizona.

The 247Sports Crystal Ball recently had Lightfoot leaning towards Arizona and Stanford but recently changed to Kansas at 62% and Arizona at 38% because of the commitment of another power forward Lauri Markkanen to Arizona.

Director of basketball recruiting for 247, Jerry Meyer, also changed the picture on the site from Arizona to KU.

ESPN has Lightfoot ranked as 99th on the Hot 100 and a four-star prospect. They have these scouting notes on Lightfoot:

"Lightfoot is a lean power forward prospect with long arms and an excellent motor. His shot blocking an ability to sprint in transition is impressive. He has excellent timing and his initial burst is impressive. He can explode to the rim in transition and finish with a dunk…"

He took his official visit here to Lawrence in mid-September with fellow big man Udoka Azubuike. He seemed to have a good time, tweeting pictures often, and was at the currently undefeated volleyball team’s game with the whole Kansas basketball team.

Lightfoot would be a huge get for Kansas. He will have chances to see the floor in the 2016 season but will be valuable later in his college years.

He can learn so much and will be the kind of guy who will buy in and be a program guy, like Perry Ellis. Playing all four years could be a possibility for him which makes him a huge asset for the Jayhawks. Kansas fans should be all in for Lightfoot.

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