Kansas basketball: Jayhawks earn commitment from 5-star recruit

Kansas basketball keeps getting absurdly talented recruits to commit and join the Jayhawks

Bill Self and the Kansas basketball staff have been at the forefront of recruiting the next stars to come through Allen Field House. The University of Kansas is a blue blood when it comes to college basketball and the rich history that drips from this program is amazing.

Having the ability to play in one of the oldest and loudest arenas in college basketball is something to be excited about. Then there is a history that hangs in the rafters at Allen Field House. The players and coaches who had their names enshrined and their numbers retired. The championships that were won. All this is pure motivation for basketball recruits.

With that being said, the Kansas basketball program has earned commitments from two players in the class of 2022. Getting a commitment from MJ Rice puts the Kansas basketball recruiting class as the No.2 nationally ranked recruiting class. That’s good enough for No.1 in the Big 12 for 2022.

Kansas basketball fans should keep an eye on the 4-star recruit from the Sunflower State

Gradey Dick is a 4-star recruit from Sunrise Christian located in Wichita, Kansas. Weighing in at 6-6 and 195 pounds, he lines up as a small forward. Dick is the No. 2 ranked small forward in the state of Kansas and is the No.7 ranked based on his position.

According to ESPN, Dick had offers from Alabama, Baylor, Florida, Illinois, Oklahoma State, Purdue, and Texas Tech.

Look at out for the 4-star power forward from Garland, Texas

Zuby Ejiofor is a 4-star recruit from Garland located in Garland, Texas. Ejiofor is a 6-8, 215 pound big man who plays power forward. According to ESPN, Zuby is the No. 9 ranked power forward in Texas and is the No. 13 ranked power forward overall. Ejiofor is the No. 84 ranked player out of ESPN 100.

As a recruit, he also had Arkansas, Georgia Tech, Houston, and Oklahoma recruiting him as well.

A talented 5-star selects the Kansas basketball team

5-star recruits are given that grade for a reason. They are touted as the cream of the crop. The best of that class. According to Next College Student, 5-star recruits comprise roughly one percent of the basketball players who are at two starts and above.

So in the end, this is a big deal if a 5-star recruit chooses your school that you cheer for. M.J. Rice is ranked No.1 in the state of North Carolina. He is ranked No. 6 in his overall position, and is ranked No.15 in the ESPN 100 has decided to take his skills to Kansas. Rice announced he would be attending Kansas on Tuesday, August 10th.

Rice is weighs in at 6-5 and 225 pounds to play small forward.

He also had offers from Boston College, Louisville, North Carolina State, Ole Miss, Pittsburg, Providence, Wake Forrest, and Oklahoma State. Rice told Sports Illustrated he picked Kansas because:

"“Would give me the best opportunity to take my game to the next level,” picking Kansas over Pittsburgh, Oklahoma State, and N.C. State.  “I loved everything about the school, the coaches, the campus, the fans,” Rice said. “When I went on the visit, I just felt like I was at home. I feel like coming there I’ll have the opportunity to play my game on a big stage and I trust the coaches.”"

Rice put up some very good numbers at a very good Oak Hill Academy, a place where many big names have played. Carmelo Anthony, Rajon Rondo, Brandon Jennings, and many more have all made their way through Oak Hill Academy.

While he was there, Rice has averaged 24 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assist. Where he really drew attention was his summer squad Team Loaded in which he averaged 25 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists, as Sports Illustrated’s Jason Jordan points out.

KU is looking very good in the recruiting aspect for 2022.

With players graduating, choosing to enter the NBA, or making the decision to enter the transfer portal, I am sure the Jayhawks aren’t done getting young men to commit to playing for the Kansas basketball team.