| | Monday, Jun 26, 2006
Kansas State University
Highly rated basketball recruit makes oral commitment to K-State.
By HOWARD RICHMAN
The Kansas City Star
With all due respect to such players as Rolando Blackman and Mitch Richmond, Michael Beasley very easily could be considered the most highly touted recruit in Kansas State men’s basketball history.
But for how long?
Beasley — the No. 4-rated basketball player in the 2007 class by rivals.com — made a non-binding oral commitment over the weekend to K-State, rivals.com main scout Jerry Meyer confirmed Saturday.
That’s good news for the Wildcats. Meyer, though, said it could get even better. Bill Walker, rated No. 2 for 2007, might be next for K-State.
“I think K-State is feeling pretty good about its chances of getting Bill Walker,” Meyer said of the 6-foot-5 forward from Cincinnati.
The Wildcats, however, might not be as fortunate in their quest to land No. 1. That’s O.J. Mayo, the 6-4 dynamo who is Walker’s teammate and the most heralded high school player heading into the 2006-07 season.
“That might be the toughest one to get. I’m not saying this, but the word is that he’s not as excited about playing ball in Manhattan, Kan.,” Meyer said. “It’s not Southern California, and I know he’s interested in USC.”
Meyer says there are other options for the Wildcats, a major player on the recruiting scene since Bob Huggins became coach.
That includes the pursuit of Herb Pope, the No. 10-rated player. Pope, a 6-8 forward from Aliquippa, Pa., seems to be a good bet to end up at K-State.
“They’re in there strong with Herb Pope,” Meyer said.
Also, keep an eye on 6-7 DeJuan Blair of Pittsburgh, who Meyer said could eventually crack rivals’ top 100. Meyer said K-State already has offered him a scholarship.
“He’s not an elite player like Beasley, but he will be a good college player,” Meyer said.
As for Beasley, his oral commitment to K-State isn’t a stunner. Although he committed in September 2004 to Charlotte, that changed when assistant Dalonte Hill, who coached Beasley at the AAU level, left there to join Huggins’ staff.
In April, Beasley told The Star he hadn’t officially altered his commitment, but his comments were very revealing.
“Coach Huggins and Coach Hill want to try to win a national championship,” said Beasley, who in May backed off the Charlotte commitment. “We plan on making Kansas State like Duke or North Carolina.” |
| | Posted 6/26/2006 11:00 PM - 34 Views - 0 eProps - 0 comments
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