Advertisement

Back to Men's Basketball coverage

Men's Basketball

Monday, April 23, 2007

Recruit Legion drops Kansas

Guard lists UCLA, Kentucky, Michigan after trip to UK

By Gary Bedore

Advertisement

It appears Michigan is back in, and Kansas University is out in the Alex Legion recruiting sweepstakes.

Legion, a 6-foot-5 senior guard out of Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, Va., who visited the University of Kentucky from Thursday through Saturday, told Rivals.com he's down to Kentucky, UCLA and Michigan.

Sources told the Journal-World that Legion was unwilling to wait for KU's scholarship situation to clear. Sophomore guard Brandon Rush has until midnight Sunday to declare for the NBA Draft or elect to return to KU for his junior season.

He has said if he declares he would not sign with an agent and thus would be able to withdraw from the draft by June 18 and retain his college eligibility. What that means is Rush's status may be in doubt up until mid-June.

"Those are my three choices right now," Legion told Rivals, adding, "I'm going to try to visit UCLA and Michigan again before I decide."

It should be noted that schools have reappeared on Legion's list after getting sliced.

Legion, who hails from Detroit, was granted a release from his letter of intent from Michigan a week ago. Yet the Wolverines and new coach John Beilein now will get a visit.

"With UCLA, I've always been a fan," Legion said. "I always thought it would be nice to play there. They have great tradition like Kentucky. With Michigan, it's still home. I'm still going to give them a shot. I just don't know how I'd fit in with what coach (John) Beilein wants to do. I was excited about playing for coach Amaker (Tommy, new coach at Harvard), so that kind of changed my feelings about Michigan.

"I'm real comfortable with Kentucky right now. It's only five hours from home, not too far at all."

As far as KU's Rush, his plan has been to wait and see how the first round shapes up before making a decision. He has said he'd like to be assured of being picked "somewhere near" the top 20.

Self, who was in Houston recruiting at the Kingwood Classic all weekend, has said he planned to meet with Rush later this week.

Draftexpress.com, which has Rush at No. 21 in the first round, reports that North Carolina freshman Brandon Wright today will declare for the draft. Other players who could declare this week according to Draftexpress.com include Thaddeus Young, Javaris Crittendon, Rodney Stuckey, Chris Lofton, Sean Williams, James Davis and Hasheem Thabeet. Marquette's Dominic James also may declare for the draft this week

NBAdraft.net currently has Rush being tapped No. 26 (there are 30 first-round picks) in the 2008 Draft, not the 2007 Draft. Various NBA officials and agents seem have described Rush as a possible late first-round, early second round pick in this year's draft.

More like this

Comments

tis4tim (anonymous) says...

Good riddance.

Here's hoping that Rush's waiting is not going to cost us several opportunities to recruit...especially if Rush decides to bolt at the last second.

Maybe that's what Self is going to talk to Rush about. All in all, I hope Rush comes back. I just hope if he goes, it hasn't cost us a shot at someone else we really wanted.

April 23, 2007 at 7:52 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

Brock (anonymous) says...

Rush won't cost us a shot at anyone; it may cost him, however. My guess is that he would be picked somewhere around 30-35 at the earliest.

Brock

April 23, 2007 at 8:19 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

jpstrayer (anonymous) says...

How much does the Morningstar scholarship cost us now?

April 23, 2007 at 8:54 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

justanotherfan (anonymous) says...

How much does signing marginal players early cost? Depends on if Brady can make the regular rotation next year or not. If he can, it doesn't hurt us that much, but I'm thinking he's not a rotation guy, so it could hurt quite a bit. That's why Teahen is a walk on.

April 23, 2007 at 9:09 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

Nutflush21 (anonymous) says...

Morningstar is a solid player off the bench that will see increased playing time next year jp. So I dont think blaming him/the staff for his scholarship is really warranted.

We cant blame Rush for taking his time either, because its obviously in his best interests to see who else declares since he is not a a slam dunk for the 1st round.

April 23, 2007 at 9:11 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

filmhawk (anonymous) says...

b-rush isn't going pro. he's learned too much from his older brothers - and the nba still doesn't need a one handed gaurd. don't get me wrong - i love the guy - and think we need him next year to have a legitimate chance - but he hasn't shown the upside that so many other underclassmen have. also, his age is a deterrent - it's not like he's a 19 or 20 year old that has a lot of physical maturation ahead of him.

if he can put together another solid season, work on his left hand and nose for the rack, (lead the hawks to a championship), and develope a scoring mentality, he could potentially be a top 20 pick - next year.

also, there is something good about giving scholarships to guys like morningstar. sure, we could have that for a blue chipper like legion, but there is a benefit to carying guys that sell out for the program. it may not show up in the box score, but his effort in practice pushes the stars so they are ready come tip-off.

April 23, 2007 at 9:13 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

justanotherfan (anonymous) says...

I'm not saying there is no value in those guys. I just operate on the sprained ankle theory - if Starter X rolls an ankle, can we win with this guy filling in? Right now if Rush were to leave and we had Rodrick as our fourth backcourt guy with Chalmers, Collins and Robinson, could Morningstar be the fourth if something happened to Chalmers? Collins? Robinson?

April 23, 2007 at 9:56 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

KURUSH1530 (anonymous) says...

Forget about Morningstar, can we strip the scholarship that Jeremy Case is holding hostage and beg Legion to come take it for us? By the way, just for a little fun, who was the least worthy of a scholarship during his time at KU? BJ Williams? Lester Earl? It used to be one of those two for me, but now it is definitely Case.

April 23, 2007 at 10:28 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

JayCeph (anonymous) says...

Um, no Jayhawk?!?! This is just criminal!
http://www.sportsline.com/spin/story/...

April 23, 2007 at 10:41 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

hometownhawk (anonymous) says...

jpstrayer is exactly right. Morningstar does not and will never have the foot speed to guard the type of guards we play against. He never deserved a scholarship, and we all know why he got one. So yes, it is coming back to bite us, especially if B.Rush makes the mistake of bolting.

April 23, 2007 at 10:48 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

Coach_Eric (anonymous) says...

kurush1530: The unequivocal winner of "least deserving" goes, hands down, to Bryant Nash. In fact, that's what my college friends and I dubbed him: "The Scholarship." Because that's what he took up.

April 23, 2007 at 11:01 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

FatTony (anonymous) says...

Luke Axtell, Eric Chenowith, the list goes on of the undeserving

April 23, 2007 at 11:35 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

kickazzkurtz (anonymous) says...

Who's azz at Sportsline do we kick for not including the Jayhawk?

April 23, 2007 at 11:55 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

Jimmy_Dean Alan Halvorsen says...

If this kid would have come to Kansas, it may have had more of a positive effect on Rush leaving, feeling that we had more talent to take his place. Maybe in this situation he'll feel more likely to stay for another year. (late first, early second doesn't sound very good.)

April 23, 2007 at 12:16 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

kc_wildfire (anonymous) says...

Least Deserving Of A Scholarship...

1st Place - Jelani Janisse
2nd Place - Ashante Johnson
3rd Place - Nick Proud

Honorable Mention - Malcolm Nash, Sean Alvarado, Lester Earl, C.J. Giles, J.R. Giddens,

Basing it just on what they did on the court that is how I would rate them. Putting more emphasis on what kind of publicity they brought to the program that would catapult Giles and Giddens to the top.

I left off current players because who knows what any of the "untested" might do.

On the flip side...which player do you think "overachieved" and contributed more than what the coaching staff or fans would have expected?

My choice would be Richard Scott.

April 23, 2007 at 1:13 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

emeryhawk (anonymous) says...

I've debated with a few friends over who they'd take higher, Conley or Law. Law has that scorer's mean streak in him. He's just such a big shot player. Still, Conley is a better overall PG. I'd probably take Conley, in the end, but Law definitely has the potential to be one of those Arenas type players where people will end up saying: "can you believe that guy was taken 20th overall?"
Too bad about Legion, but I can't say I'm too disappointed. There are a lot of good wings to recruit in the 2008 class and Rush isn't gone yet. I don't buy the theory that getting Legion makes Rush more likely to leave. A player has to think about what's best for his career when evaluating the NBA. If Rush thinks this year is the best time to jump (I don't know that it is), it is not his responsibility to think about who there is to replace him. That's Bill Self's job.

April 23, 2007 at 1:26 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

hawkitup (anonymous) says...

Excellent point, emeryhawk. Acie Law is quite the athlete but in the end I really think Conley will be a better NBA player. Of course, if I was an NBA GM I wouldn't be complaining one bit if I had to pick Acie Law.

April 23, 2007 at 2:16 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

kickazzkurtz (anonymous) says...

wildfire..... Richard Scott was one of my favorite players at KU all time. I couldn't believe he never got even a shot at the NBA. He has had quite the successful European career though.

I can't believe Kenny Gregory didn't get drafted or a free agent try out either. He improved his shooting his senior year, could drive and had some unbelieveable ups and could run the floor. Thought he would be late second round. Guess not though.

April 23, 2007 at 2:27 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

justanotherfan (anonymous) says...

The guy that contributed more than expected has to be between Christian Moody (walk on to at least a passable option) and Michael Lee (an add on to the Aaron Miles recruitment that turned out to be a productive guy). Also, both of those guys were standup guys.

As for Conley or Law, I'll take Acie Law. Conley is a good PG with tremendous talent and upside, but Acie Law wins you games. The highlight of him screaming "That's just what I do!" during the Texas-A&M game was a microcosm of his year. Acie Law will play in the NBA for years because he knows how to play good basketball and he can help you win. Also, he's a good defender and, if your team was down and had one possession, who's hands do you want the ball in? Give me Acie Law.

Least deserving of their scholarship? Nash is up there, as is Janisse. I don't agree with Giddens and Giles because, while they weren't great guys, they weren't busts on the floor. I point to those two guys because they never became contributors.

April 23, 2007 at 2:28 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Toto_the_great (anonymous) says...

overachieved = Alonzo Jaminson, one of the best defensive players we ever had.

April 23, 2007 at 4:38 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

GIHAWK (anonymous) says...

I hope Bill Self doesn't strip the scholarship off anyone....If they made the sacrifice to be here for 4 years, then we should honor it. I would think our program has the class to do this.

April 23, 2007 at 5:26 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Strikewso (anonymous) says...

Screw Legion, the guy sucks.

April 23, 2007 at 7:41 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jaybate (anonymous) says...

What happened with Rotnei Clarke? Self offered. There's only been silence on his part. What up?

April 23, 2007 at 7:55 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

hawkshock (anonymous) says...

Geez, Legion sounds like bad news all around. I miss the LaFrentz's, Hinrich's, Collison's, etc. of the world. At least Brady Morningstar seems have their sense of citizenship.

I agree with all who say good riddance to Legion. Screw head cases and ego trips. We don't need them.

April 23, 2007 at 9:02 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Cornfed (anonymous) says...

Clark wants to wait to make sure everything is inline after the summer AAU season...........

Don't worry if Self wants him he will get him.

April 24, 2007 at 12:01 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

kcmostwanted (anonymous) says...

ohhh..come on you guys know you guys say "screw this person and that person" but if we do get him what else can we do but embrace him as a true Jayhawk Ball Player..If any of us had enough talent to be recruited by top notch D1 schools then we'd be undecided too... You can't blame the kid, i mean i'm pretty sure it's like a Buffet but he only gets to choose one item...Cut him some slack..If these kids think they're good enough to be 1 and done then let them go somewhere that'll give them the best opp. to do so....

I know many of you don't want to admit it but you guys just trash talk these recruits because they don't choose KU... Reality is that although KU is a great school w/ lots of tradition there are other schools out there..so stop whinning and let these kids go where ever they want to go... If they choose to come here great!..if not, then that's fine too...

And let's admit it cause we've done this to every recruit we've ever had...recent ones include: D. Arthur, K. Singler, D. Rose...etc...If we get them everyone on this site thinks they're the sh*t and if not everyone bashes them...(well majority of you do)

April 24, 2007 at 12:08 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

jross1972 Joe Ross says...

kcmostwanted:

RE: "If we get them everyone on this site thinks they're the sh*t and if not everyone bashes them...(well majority of you do)"

You're right, in essence. That is exactly what happens. I agree that a kid should not be villified just because they didn't choose Kansas. There are some kids out there that I loved to watch this season: the Durants, the Law IVs, the Odens, etc. Obviously I like watching these kids apart from their lack of a connection to the Crimson and Blue.

On the other hand, while a kid isn't a villain for not choosing Kansas, they certainly are missing one hell of an experience at Allen.

April 24, 2007 at 4:28 p.m. ( | suggest removal )