KU Basketball Recruiting Rumors: Can Jayhawks Grab Jarrett Allen
By Joel Wagler
The KU basketball recruiting rumors are still floating about because the Jayhawks have two, maybe three scholarships still to hand out. Grabbing Jarret Allen from the Texas Longhorns would be a great coup!
Bill Self and the Kansas Jayhawks still have two scholarships to give out, and if Cheick Diallo somehow decides to stay in the 2016 NBA Draft pool, they will have three. Forward Jarrett Allen is an attractive option for the Jayhawks.
Alen, who is ranked 19th on ESPN 100, and the highest ranked unsigned player, is expected to choose Texas soon, with the Houston Cougars a distant second. According to the 247 Sports Crystal Ball, the Longhorns have a 95% chance of reeling in the big man.
247 Sports has Allen cool on the Jayhawks at this point, but Self has pulled off miracles in the past (see Andrew Wiggins). ESPN has Kentucky and Notre Dame joining Kansas, Texas, and Houston as still being in on Allen.
Jesse Newell of the Kansas City Star believes Kansas will make a big push to sign Allen since Thon Maker has been cleared to enter the draft.
With Thon Maker officially off the board, KU could still make a run at big man Jarrett Allen. Ranked 20th in Rivals.
— Jesse Newell (@jessenewell) April 14, 2016
ESPN offers up this scouting report:
"Allen is a long athletic and mobile post player that is oozing with potential. He runs the floor extremely well and has good hands and feet. Allen finishes above the rim when he receives drop off passes created by dribble penetration. He is a good area rebounder, shot blocker…"
The biggest hurdle to Allen choosing the Jayhawks is he will have to fight tooth and nail for minutes. The KU basketball team is already loaded with big men including Landen Lucas, Carlton Bragg Jr. Dwight Coleby (transfer from Ole Miss), as well as incoming freshmen Udoka Azubuike and Mitch Lightfoot.
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Azubuike will only be 17 years old next season, so he might need time to develop throughout the season, and Lightfoot might be a player whose biggest contributions may come down the line.
Allen could step in and challenge Coleby for minutes off the bench.
Diallo could still fit into this mix, but who knows how soured he is on how things worked out this past season.
Though there is little visible evidence that he could offer an NBA team more than athleticism and upside, no one knows who might be whispering in his ear.
It appears to be a longshot for Kansas to grab Jarrett Allen. Minutes will be more available at Texas, and at Houston for sure. Self certainly knows how to sell his program, and playing with experienced guards may be appealing to Allen.
If the Jayhawks miss on Allen, they may set their target on Marques Bolden next. There also might be some transfers Kansas might pursue.
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There will be more KU basketball recruiting rumors over the next days and weeks until the Jayhawks have filled those two or three scholarships still available.
Kansas would still like another big man, and maybe a point guard to be developed over next season. It will be interesting as to who Self can bring into the fold.