Recruiting class boosted by Beasley



The answer is obvious (Bob Huggins), but the question itself is still worth pondering.

How does Kansas State land the No. 1 basketball player in America?

It helps that Michael Beasley, who was tabbed Tuesday by Rivals.com as the nation's best, had a monster summer, enabling him to overtake O.J. Mayo and others for the top spot.

Beasley's decommitment from Charlotte and his pledge to Huggins and the Wildcats took care of the rest.

The 6-foot-9 power forward, who spent the past year at Oak Hill Academy told GoPowercat.com that he was 90 percent sure he would transfer to The Patterson School in North Carolina for his senior season.

He also told the Web site he thought Bill Walker, the ultra-athletic swingman from Ohio who is ranked No. 6 in the country and has been cast as Mayo's sidekick, would also attend K-State.

As for Mayo, who fell from No. 1 to No. 5, his flirtations with Southern California and Florida remain real. But a source indicated Wednesday that K-State has maintained a favorable position with Mayo -- because of Huggins -- and nothing has been decided.

And then there is the case of Herb Pope, the 6-8 forward from Aliquippa, Pa.

Pope's summer was the opposite of Beasley's -- his ranking sank like a submarine. He is now No. 23 after starting the summer at No. 10. His AAU play for the Pittsburgh J.O.T.S. was uninspired, and he was sent home early by J.O. Stright, the team's founder, after Pope was thrown out of a game at the junior nationals.

As a result, Louisville has reportedly withdrawn its recruitment, but K-State is holding tight. There are some personal issues Pope must deal with, not the least being where he will attend school in the fall. He is supposedly enrolling at Arlington Country Day in Jacksonville, Fla., the same school current K-State freshman center Jason Bennett attended, but that hasn't happened yet.

A source suggested that all four -- Mayo, Walker, Pope and Beasley -- would take official visits to Manhattan on the same weekend, likely Sept. 23, when the K-State football team hosts Louisville, a likely nationally televised event.

Blair's a beast -- DeJuan Blair is 6-foot-7 and 240 pounds, from Pittsburgh and is considering playing for Huggins.

If that description alone is reminiscent of former Cincinnati star Danny Fortson, just wait until you see him play, says Stright.

"He's an animal," Stright said. "It was a super July for DeJuan."

In the new Rivals.com ratings, Blair is No. 127. But based on the buzz, that doesn't seem accurate.

After leading the J.O.T.S. to a strong showing at the national AAU championships -- Stright says Blair went for 42 points and 22 rebounds in his final game -- and at the Super Showcase, the college coaches can't keep their eyes off Blair, who might not even be fully recovered from a pair of knee injuries.

Stright says Florida coach Billy Donovan watched every game Blair played during a recent stretch.

Seventeen games.

Pittsburgh is in the mix, as is Indiana, Wake Forest and the defending-champion Gators.

But K-State looms large.

Slants -- Freshman quarterback Josh Freeman is growing out his curly locks, which he snipped once he arrived at Kansas State. "I might cut them again tomorrow," he said. "Who knows?"... Former K-State offensive lineman Ryan Schmidt is hoping to win an appeal that would allow him to play this fall at South Florida. According to his mother, Tammy, Schmidt's financial aid -- his scholarship -- was not renewed at K-State. Being an out-of-state kid, he had no option but to transfer. He landed at US, and because it was an undue hardship on Schmidt and he no control over the circumstances, Schmidt should be eligible immediately. The case, his mother admits, isn't a slam dunk, but they're hopeful the ruling will be in their favor.... Offensive coordinator James Franklin said last week of QB Allan Evridge: "He prepares as well as anyone in the country."

Jeffrey Martin covers Kansas State sports. Reach him at 269-6763 or jmartin@wichitaeagle.com.

thanks for info....lets hope good news soon.

What the hell is GRCOAT???

GREATEST RECRUITING CLASS OF ALL TIME

Wow this is some great news. I can't wait to hear how it goes!

Then I see this in a paper and I begin to wonder. I mean why do they keep reporting this stuff when it appears that he in fact has not told USC he is going to attend?

Quote:O.J. Mayo, the No. 1 senior in the country, made it official by announcing for Southern Cal. He is a 6-4 wing guard from Cincinnati (Ohio) North College Hill.

http://www.fayettevillenc.com/article?id=239832

FOXSports.com
Posted: 1 day ago

It's long been rumored that prep basketball star O.J. Mayo was headed to USC. And more than one report had Mayo making that rumor official on Sunday. But that announcement was put on hold again.

Mayo has called off what was scheduled to be an afternoon newsconference to announce his plans to attend USC. Fox Sports Radio host Ben Maller is reporting that sources close to the situation say he has still commited to playing for the Trojans. NCAA rules don't allow the school to set up a newsconference.

Mayo, who has been widely acknowledged as the top prospect in the Class of 2007, was on the USC campus Saturday on an unofficial visit. During that visit, he stopped by the Trojans football practice, where he was serenaded by chants of "O.J.! O.J.!"

ESPN will do anything NOT to mention Mayo possibly attending Kansas State. This would go against their heavy bias to West and East Coast schools.

I believe that OJ was pretty impressed with the entertainment and night life in Los Angeles. He loves Las Vegas too. Neither he or Walker will be at K-State in the future as a member of that team. Don't be surprised if you see them visit to be wined and dined and meet with Huggins again. I wouldnt want either kid on any of my teams just for their attitudes. They have no intentions of playing more than 1 year of collegiate ball if any. I will be surprised if OJ doesnt end up signing a shoe contract after high school and ineligible for college anyways. OJ's stock has started to fall recently and he may not get a shoe contract anyways. An interesting story to be watching as this next year progresses.

sorry but walker is all but committed to K-State. you can expect him to be wearing purple next year

wildcats2283 Wrote:sorry but walker is all but committed to K-State. you can expect him to be wearing purple next year

Any more detail?I don't dispute it but would love somemore info.