Well, as most of you already know, Bryce Thompson, the 6-foot-5, 180-pound combo guard from Booker T. Washington High School in Tulsa, Okla., verbally committed to Coach Bill Self and Kansas earlier today. Thompson, the No. 19 ranked player in the 2020 class, chose Kansas over Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, and North Carolina.
First of all, this is an ABSOLUTELY HUGE GET for Bill Self and his staff. Honestly, when the allegations were handed down at Kansas, I truthfully never saw this happening. This much needs to be made quite clear. If everything went down with the violations being handed down, I had no idea how Self and his staff were going to address this class. At the time, I thought they would likely target juco prospects and grad transfers.
However, my mind began to change when Gethro Muscadin and Tyon Grant-Foster committed. I realize that Grant-Foster is a juco product, but he committed after taking just one visit and was sold on Kansas from the very beginning.
Now, when Muscadin verbally committed, and he plans to sign with Kansas tomorrow, that really grabbed my attention.
I've talked to Rod Thompson, the father of Bryce Thompson, many times, and he's always been open and honest with me. I always felt that Kansas was a major player, even with the allegations, but just didn't think Thompson would actually sign with Kansas.
However, as time went on and I talked to his father and other people, it became clear that Bryce committing to Kansas was, without question, very possible. I talked to his father at the game last Friday night and I just got a very strong feeling that, when all was said and done, Kansas was going to be his choice.
Earlier today, Bryce Thompson popped for Kansas and make no mistake about it, him doing so was a huge victory for this coaching staff. Just a few short months ago, did any of you envision a five-star prospect committing to Kansas?
Moving forward, I'm interested to see if the staff decides to add to this class and how others, especially in the media, will react to the decision made by Bryce Thompson.
Now, on the court, the kid is a flatout stud. Thompson has the ability to play on or off the ball and will likely do both next year at Kansas. With Devon Dotson more than likely leaving for the pros, Kansas hit a grandslam with the addition of Bryce Thompson.
Aside from his ability to play either guard position, Thompson can score from behind the arc and is a big-time playmaker. He's just one of those guys that is going to come in right away and plan an immediate role.
Remember, this is a young man that, at one point, was ranked as the 65th best player in the class, and is now the 19th best player in the class. His level of improvement is off the charts and he's only getting better.
Make no mistake about it: Today is a HUGE, HUGE, HUGE day for Bill Self and his staff. Adding Bryce Thompson to this recruiting class is a major haul.
First of all, this is an ABSOLUTELY HUGE GET for Bill Self and his staff. Honestly, when the allegations were handed down at Kansas, I truthfully never saw this happening. This much needs to be made quite clear. If everything went down with the violations being handed down, I had no idea how Self and his staff were going to address this class. At the time, I thought they would likely target juco prospects and grad transfers.
However, my mind began to change when Gethro Muscadin and Tyon Grant-Foster committed. I realize that Grant-Foster is a juco product, but he committed after taking just one visit and was sold on Kansas from the very beginning.
Now, when Muscadin verbally committed, and he plans to sign with Kansas tomorrow, that really grabbed my attention.
I've talked to Rod Thompson, the father of Bryce Thompson, many times, and he's always been open and honest with me. I always felt that Kansas was a major player, even with the allegations, but just didn't think Thompson would actually sign with Kansas.
However, as time went on and I talked to his father and other people, it became clear that Bryce committing to Kansas was, without question, very possible. I talked to his father at the game last Friday night and I just got a very strong feeling that, when all was said and done, Kansas was going to be his choice.
Earlier today, Bryce Thompson popped for Kansas and make no mistake about it, him doing so was a huge victory for this coaching staff. Just a few short months ago, did any of you envision a five-star prospect committing to Kansas?
Moving forward, I'm interested to see if the staff decides to add to this class and how others, especially in the media, will react to the decision made by Bryce Thompson.
Now, on the court, the kid is a flatout stud. Thompson has the ability to play on or off the ball and will likely do both next year at Kansas. With Devon Dotson more than likely leaving for the pros, Kansas hit a grandslam with the addition of Bryce Thompson.
Aside from his ability to play either guard position, Thompson can score from behind the arc and is a big-time playmaker. He's just one of those guys that is going to come in right away and plan an immediate role.
Remember, this is a young man that, at one point, was ranked as the 65th best player in the class, and is now the 19th best player in the class. His level of improvement is off the charts and he's only getting better.
Make no mistake about it: Today is a HUGE, HUGE, HUGE day for Bill Self and his staff. Adding Bryce Thompson to this recruiting class is a major haul.
