There are many here who focus on the negatives but we have many positives and one in particular (re)struck me today...nothing new, but worth digging into a bit and that is the opportunity to play.
I know, it's been said often but as I was looking through recruits today it hit me how many solidly ranked kids will go to big time programs and never play. They'll be scouting team and depth, nothing more. These HS kids see a UCLA or Michigan or Texas name and get star struck and want to impress their friends. "I'm going to OU...or UT...or ". I can't really blame them, it'd be tempting for anyone.
But KU could literally be the difference between playing or not, developing or not, and the end of a career or getting to the next level. Some kids never develop until they get some PT and then they go crazy and open some eyes. At KU you'll get that shot. I know the coaches sell this but it just jumped out looking at some kids we're on that have big time offers and took them or will take them. I'd appreciate some insight from insiders how heavily this is discussed with recruits or how big a consideration it really is.
And by the way, this is another reason we need to continue to take transfers. Some of these kids will realize their mistake and make a move. These are another 'hidden gem' we have to be masters at finding in addition to the over looked or under appreciated kids, the inch short or 20 lbs too light, the late developers, etc. We could build a really good team from the depth charts of the big time programs if we can convince them to come here instead. KU has proven an ability to get kids to the next level and the PT factor combined with the University/academics/support, Lawrence, and this staff's energy, positivity, and proven rep's for taking care of kids makes for a pretty strong offering.
I know it's often said it comes down to talent evaluation and development which is of course true, the one I'd add is the ability to convince kids of the above...to gain their trust and convince them their best opportunity is at KU vs some big time programs. Just getting and developing the over-looked/under appreciated won't get us all the way there, we need to do some of this as well.
I know, it's been said often but as I was looking through recruits today it hit me how many solidly ranked kids will go to big time programs and never play. They'll be scouting team and depth, nothing more. These HS kids see a UCLA or Michigan or Texas name and get star struck and want to impress their friends. "I'm going to OU...or UT...or ". I can't really blame them, it'd be tempting for anyone.
But KU could literally be the difference between playing or not, developing or not, and the end of a career or getting to the next level. Some kids never develop until they get some PT and then they go crazy and open some eyes. At KU you'll get that shot. I know the coaches sell this but it just jumped out looking at some kids we're on that have big time offers and took them or will take them. I'd appreciate some insight from insiders how heavily this is discussed with recruits or how big a consideration it really is.
And by the way, this is another reason we need to continue to take transfers. Some of these kids will realize their mistake and make a move. These are another 'hidden gem' we have to be masters at finding in addition to the over looked or under appreciated kids, the inch short or 20 lbs too light, the late developers, etc. We could build a really good team from the depth charts of the big time programs if we can convince them to come here instead. KU has proven an ability to get kids to the next level and the PT factor combined with the University/academics/support, Lawrence, and this staff's energy, positivity, and proven rep's for taking care of kids makes for a pretty strong offering.
I know it's often said it comes down to talent evaluation and development which is of course true, the one I'd add is the ability to convince kids of the above...to gain their trust and convince them their best opportunity is at KU vs some big time programs. Just getting and developing the over-looked/under appreciated won't get us all the way there, we need to do some of this as well.
