2013 Texas center has KU men’s basketball on short list

By Gary Bedore     Aug 22, 2012

Karviar Shepherd, a 6-foot-10, 225-pound senior basketball center from Grace Prep High in Arlington, Texas, has narrowed his list of prospective colleges to eight — including Kansas University — Rivals.com reports.

Shepherd, who is ranked No. 34 nationally in the recruiting Class of 2013, lists KU, Texas, TCU, Texas A&M, Oklahoma, SMU, Marquette and LSU.

“Kansas is a great school,” Shepherd told JayhawkSlant.com. “I took a visit to Kansas last summer and it’s a great campus … my relationship with the coaching staff is good. I know that I’ll get back to Kansas for a visit. I do plan to take some visits and I’ll know more about those visits next week.”

Shepherd plays for coach Jazzy Hartwell’s Urban DFW team — traveling team of former KU forward Darrell Arthur.

“I’m probably going to try and sign in the fall. For right now that’s the plan; it could change,” Shepherd told Rivals.com.

He played well on the AAU circuit this past spring and summer.

“I think my offense was a little better. I still have a ways to go with that and my court awareness. I also tried to block more shots and take some pressure off of Jordan (Mickey) because he’s our shot blocker,” Shepherd said.

Mickey, a 6-7 senior forward from Grace Prep, also has KU on his long list of schools. He’s ranked No. 51 nationally by Rivals.com.

Williams update: Troy Williams, a 6-6 forward from Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, Va., is considering KU, Kentucky, North Carolina, Alabama, Louisville, Georgetown, South Carolina, Ohio State, Arkansas and Memphis. Rivals.com reports that UK and Carolina have “not been as active in his recruitment as they once were.”

No. 41-ranked Williams recently visited Alabama, which is a major player for his AAU teammate and good buddy, Anthony “Cat” Barber. Barber, a 6-2 point guard from Hampton (Va.) High, who is Rivals.com’s No. 9-rated player, lists KU, Alabama, N.C. State and Louisville.

“The Alabama visit was good,” Williams’ uncle, Boo Williams, told SNY.tv. “They did a good job showing him the campus and showing him all the things he needed to see.”

Barber told JayhawkSlant.com on Tuesday night that he plans to visit KU the weekend of Sept. 1-3.

More recruiting: No. 2-ranked Julius Randle, a 6-9 senior from Prestonwood Christian Academy in Plano, Texas, and former high school teammate of KU’s Zach Peters, visited Oklahoma State last weekend. Currently, KU, Duke, Kentucky and North Carolina appear to be his leaders. … No. 33-ranked Marcus Lee, a 6-9 power forward from Deer Valley High in Antioch, Calif., visited UCLA unofficially last weekend, Zagsblog.com reports. Lee will have an in-home visit with KU’s coaches on Oct. 6. He will visit Louisville on Sept. 7, Kentucky on Oct. 12 and Indiana on Oct. 20. He’s also considering Duke.

Goodrich honored: KU senior Angel Goodrich received an award Tuesday from the NCAA for leading women’s college basketball in assists per game during the 2011-12 season (7.4 per game). The Tahlequah, Okla., native broke a KU and Big 12 Conference record in totaling 250 assists.

PREV POST

What caught my eye at Day 19 of Fall Practice

NEXT POST

410042013 Texas center has KU men’s basketball on short list