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Wayne Selden, a 6-foot-5, 225-pound senior combo guard from Tilton (N.H.) School, will attend the season-opening Late Night in the Phog as part of an official recruiting visit to Kansas University, Rivals.com reports.
Selden, the No. 23-rated player in the Class of 2013, has a list of KU, Florida, Missouri, UCLA, Syracuse and Ohio State.
Eric Bossi, national basketball recruiting analyst for Rivals.com, recently named Selden one of the top 10 most physical players in the class. Only Julius Randle, Andrew Harrison, Aaron Harrison and Zena Edosomwan were rated ahead of Selden, who is originally from Roxbury, Mass.
“Checking in at nearly 230 pounds, Selden is built more like your typical tight end than a high school shooting guard,” Bossi told JayhawkSlant.com. “An explosive athlete, Selden’s ability to strong arm opponents is a big advantage.”
Other seniors expected to attend the Oct. 12 Late Night in the Phog: No. 5-rated Aaron Gordon, 6-8 forward, Archibishop Mitty High, San Jose, Calif.; No. 29 Tyler Roberson, 6-8 forward, Roselle (N.J.) Catholic; and No. 43 Karviar Shepherd, 6-10 center, Dallas Prime Prep Academy.
Mason update: No. 131-ranked Frank Mason, a 5-11, 160-pound senior point guard from Massanutten Military Academy in Woodstock, Va., will visit KU this weekend, JayhawkSlant.com reports. Mason signed with Towson last November, but elected to attend prep school for academic reasons. He now has KU, South Carolina, Tennessee, Oklahoma State, Virginia Tech and others on his list. Mason averaged 27 points a game last season at Petersburg (Va.) High. He was region player of the year for the two-time state runner-up team.
KU coach Bill Self talks about signing of Andrew Wiggins May 14, 2013
Ben McLemore interview March 28, 2013
360 QTR of Cowboy Stadium March 28, 2013
Jayhawks arrive in Dallas March 27, 2013
Jeff Withey talks about the team staying loose March 23, 2013
Comments
JayDogger 8 months ago
Cool! ESPN says Selden is a "naturally good passer" but I wonder how good of a ball handler he is since that's what we need if we don't sign an elite PG. I can't say I'm very excited about Mason, though.
Check out this very complimentary article on Shepherd: http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/colleges/tamu/post/_/id/2091/shepherd-to-take-texas-am-official-visit
Along with being a defensive stopper who works hard and wants a coach who will help make him the best he can be, academics are important to Shepherd and he said he wants to be a math teacher (I assume post-basketball career).
jsatt3 8 months ago
Let the video of Selden do the talking.
http://youtu.be/LMNdCrFVGCs
doolindalton 8 months ago
Wow. He actually has skills to go along with his athleticism. If Selden comes to KU, he won't be here more than one season. Remindful of a young Elgin Baylor back in the day. He doesn't look like a football player to me, more like an NBA player.
mojayhawk 8 months ago
One word. WOW! The video does the talking. He would fit in great in Coach Self's physical style of play. A Jayhawk stud in the making. Come on down, Wayne. We love the name Wayne in Allen Field House, as in Wayne Simien!
jhox 8 months ago
Let me be the third to respond with a "wow". That is a man. Definitely skilled enough to play the point.
jhawkdan42 8 months ago
OMG! I'm surprised Selden isn't rated in the top 10 after watching that clip. We need to see Mr Selden representing the Jayhawks!
gdkadjayhawk 8 months ago
Can you say "Magic Johnson?"
RockChalk26 8 months ago
That was awesome.......excuse me, I need to change my jockeys
Alohahawk 8 months ago
Great! So thrilled Selden will experience the Phog for Late Night. As Jaydogger mentioned above, it depends on how good Selden's handle is if he qualifies and can fill the PG spot Self has been after. But even if he doesn't, he'd be one tough 'hombre' at the 2 or 3 positions. I've liked what I've read about him since KU started recruiting him, a long time back. And I've always had this impression he'll chose KU. I don't know why, but I do. Come on Wayne. Prove that my instincts are correct!
It's highly doubtful KU will sign Randle. And somewhat the same with Parker and Gordon, obviously all great gets. But I'd also love to see Selden join with Noah Vonleh and/or Shepherd or Roberson. Add those to Frankamp and Greene and KU would have a top 1 or 2 class that would make even Cal Lie Pari drool like a fool. And anything that can do that makes me that much happier.
JayDogger 8 months ago
"make even Cal Lie Pari drool like a fool" Love it, Aloha. And make bennybob eat his words like a turd.
I watched some Selden highlight reels and he seems like a great passer who can move with the ball. I'm not sure about being a PG (those reels are called highlights for a reason) but it seems like he could be the number-2 ball handler on the court (possessing PG skills rather than actually being a PG). I don't expect that out of McLemore, but does anyone know about Greene's handles? He's considered a very good all-around guard so I assume he can dribble the ball pretty well.
If we are loaded at the 2-3 but not the 1 it would make Tharpe's pass-first skills a priority but take the pressure off him scoring. You would think that by his third year he would be fairly proficient at ball distribution, especially when the recipients are high quality.
I think Selden could be a great "plan B" to missing out on top PGs and not just adding yet another talented wing. I've seen him list as a SF, G and combo guard. It's claimed that he can guard the 1, 2 & 3. I guess that's versatility.
BBall2012 8 months ago
Don't think Calipari is drooling at KU's recruits...Coach Cal is in the process of landing the greatest recruiting class ever - if Harrison twins sign next month (October 29) and Wiggins reclassifies which is very likely, the table will be set. Randle already said he would love to play with the Harrison twins. Signing 4 of the top 5 recruits plus possibly adding #8 Young who has made it known he wants to go to UK.
ralster 7 months, 4 weeks ago
BBall2012, Good luck to your Kentucky Wildcats, who I notice do sport the correct shade of blue. Now, my good man, can you please tell me why in all the greatness that is Kentucky Nation, you feel you have to come to a Kansas Jayhawk site? We have noticed this pattern repeatedly from you. Why is that? This KU alumni has never felt the need to visit or post on a KY, UNC, Duke, UCLA site. Why are you here?
jaybate 8 months ago
Selden is not just a difference maker, but a potential next evolution in XTReme Muscle PGs.
First there was Quin Buckner for Knight at Indiana.
Then there was Mateen the Meat Cleaver Cleeves for Ratso Izzo at MSU.
Then there was Sherron Collins for Self at KU.
Now there is Wayne Selden.
If Self signs him and Selden at 6-5 and 225 can do it at D1 speeds, XTReme Muscle PG may reach a new zenith.
Pity the Demetrious Jackson's of the world.
bennybob 7 months, 4 weeks ago
I think you missed a couple "XTReme Muscle" PGs in your evolution list.
Tim Hardaway comes to mind immediately
jaybate 8 months ago
Imagine Frank Mason and Wayne Selden taking turns bringing the ball upcourt!
Blinding speed.
Overwhelming muscle.
Alternating.
Playing it anyway they want and beating them at it.
ralster 8 months ago
watching Selden's video, he is an exciting player. Smooth quick handles, ridiculous court vision. I mean who attempts those wow-passes in games? Self may have a coronary if such attempts lead to pop-tarts, but Self also played a frosh Juju because of the MUA. Big strong kid (yikes!)
jaybate 8 months ago
Frank Mason?
5-11 and 160?
3 stars?
Why do Self, Frank Martin, Cuonzo Martin and Travis Ford want this guy?
S P E E D
ralster 8 months ago
We have our Frank Mason already, and further along the Selfball developmental trail--> his name is Naadir Tharpe #91. He definitely came with speed, and a 3gun, but only entry-level-Div1 handles...Iverson he was not. But he also learned the cojones to take it in to the hole from Tyshawn, and no doubt watched enough of 5'10 Sherron doin' work in the trees to now have a dangerous edge not expected of a #91. Obviously, I have high hopes for Tharpe, and by all accounts, he ran the team with nice tempo and assists with hardly any turnovers during the summer+Europe stints...I say all this about Tharpe to question if we need another pinecycle rider (Mason #160) as Self invests time in another such project. Another hard to evaluate factor for Self's players is the "toughening box". Tharpe had alot of it his frosh year with the quick hooks. .Tharpe, bless his heart, might as well have been swaying gently with the breeze from the gallows (in those ku adidas adizero shadow's), all the times he got the hook. I felt bad for Tharpe, much like I felt bad for Elijah when he got the quick fork from SelfMan. Although Tharpe may get more affirmative-action-coaching, I think the bulk of it is behind him...we shall see.
bennybob 7 months, 4 weeks ago
Correct,
The only reason for the staff to pursue another PG in this class is to upgrade from Tharpe.
Mason is definitely not an upgrade
jaybate 7 months, 4 weeks ago
ralster and bennybob,
I'm not sure if you realize this, but we need Mason to replace Milton Doyle. :-)
HighEliteMajor 8 months ago
Appreciated jb's positive spin. I ain't bitin', though.
I can tell you quite definitively (in this world of speculation) why Self is trying to get Frank Mason ... we haven't landed our top 5 PG targets. That is the only reason why.
As for Cuonzo Martin, Frank Martin and Travis Ford, the #133 player should be right in their line of sight. More power to them.
I posted back a few months ago when Mason's name surfaced that we should be concerned .. that would mean we whiffed on the PGs. The back up plan, to the back up plan, to the ... you get the idea. That it is not the situation we want to be in. The scramble is now on for the additional PG.
If we add Mason to our current commits for 2013, our class rating will drop by the sheer weight of a non-top 100 player -- subtraction by addition. This is a bit different than Zach Peters, from whom Self got an early commit. This smells more like Jamari Traylor, Braedon Anderson, Merv Lindsay, Milton Doyle. It's that kind of move. Just earlier. Because the doors have closed earlier than with those I just mentioned.
It clearly underscores the point on ballhandling, and that Self really, really believes we need another ballhandler.
But here's where adding Mason looks different .. 1) we get Selden (I spelled his name right this time) and Shepherd, to go with Greene and Frankamp. Then Mason is #5. No worries there, right? Can we all accept that scenario? That would likely be the #1 or #2 class. Deal. 2) Or if we miss on Selden but get Roberson and Shepherd, or a combo of top 50 big guys in the other two open spots, adding Mason as #5 is not that bad. I'll take 4 top 50s any day of the week.
Mason's place in this class is the key (if he comes here). Mason as the #3 guy in this class stinks. Pure and simple. I would love to hear the contrary argument there, if there is one. But I hope we can all maintain a bit of sanity.
Mason as the #4 guy in the class is still significantly disappointing. It would mean there is someone ranked lower than Mason in this class, which is Milton Doyle, Merv Lindsay territory.
But as the #5 guy in the class, paired with 4 top 50s, though we would have liked Barber, or Jackson, etc., is completely cool. Mason "acceptability" is largely (and correctly) determined by who else we land.
(cont)
ralster 8 months ago
I completely agree with your concern on Mason. Cant say too much comparing rankings that are within 10-20 of each other, but #160 seems a real stretch. Jaybate hopes the kid has speed. But if he had speed + handles (what we really want), then he would be ranked higher. Tharpe at #91 provides an example: good speed, entry-level-Div1 handles (that has apparently gotten alot better under SelfhimBillformerguard's tutelage). We are very invested in Tharpe's development, but cannot have a bench full of 3yr projects, uh, unless Bill thinks so for his own reasons...Imho, Milt had to go as some of these other kids have popped up on Self's radar/to-do-now list. Again, not sure Im including Mason on that list. He is a plan C-to-the-plan B guy, just as you said. I do like Jaybate's optimism (of course), but that scenario needs 6'5 220 Selden + (whoever) to run with him. And being a 6ft, 175lb "combo" type bballer (& loved Aaron Miles), there are kids out there w/sick game of that size (Frankamp)--> but bringing in someone that small, they better have skills and a good ranking, indicative of allaround ability.
jayhawks1009 8 months ago
what about Roddy Peters Instead of Mason?
bennybob 7 months, 4 weeks ago
Your two scenarios are correct. If mason ends up being the 5th scholarship, no problem.
What's concerning that 5th scholarship"flier" recruit is usually filled in the spring after your big targets are signed. that fact that the Staff is reaching out the this level of recruit this early is worrisome.
But in all honesty, after the trend we've seen the last couple of years. I'm not surprised by it.
HighEliteMajor 8 months ago
(cont)
Here's why this class is important .. I have said consistently here that this class can be a game changer. Setting us up for championship runs over the next number of years (paired with McLemore/White/Ellis). We need big hits here. Why? Count the scholarships. The opportunity for a big, highly ranked class won't be there for a while. We have no juniors. We have one sophomore (Tharpe). Even a few defections (McLemore to NBA and/or a big man transfer) don't leave the opportunity for the big class. If there's not significant defections, the talent we get now, paired with the 2012 class, is the talent core that we have for a few seasons.
The Selden visit is great news. It means we're in the game. If ever Self applied a full court press, it should be on Selden. Not "pressure" an all out "press."
All this assumes lightning does not strike, and that we don't add a Parker or Randle. That would of course change everything.
konkeyDong 8 months ago
Don't forget recent reclass Noah Vonleh and miser's chance Aaron Gordon.
ralster 8 months ago
The hidden "nice" probability (more than just possible) of your thought of McLemore being an early NBA defection, is that now, after a year of Hudy+Self+studying the playbook, er, encyclopedia...#30ish McLemore could be 6'5" 205-210 lb attacker. Think Selden-light. If he goes early, it means he proved he was that good.
TraditionRich 8 months ago
Adding Selden also makes this a more attractive scenario for Gordon, Randle, or Parker.
Love that Gordon is accompanying Selden on the visit.
dylans 8 months ago
The #1 class will be Cal's again. Or whoever lands the Harrison twins, but I don't want a class of OADs. The character issues and egos aren't worth the extra couple of wins. Also what happens if Self lands another top 5 recruit that gets injured or is overrated? If a second top recruit doesn't pan out this soon to the Selby flame out it would look very bad. 4-5 top 50 recruits (frosh and soph) will make for a fine basketball team that will be a national title contender, hopefully without all the drama.
konkeyDong 8 months ago
Wayne Selden plays like a 6'5" Sherron Collins. The question is, can he come in and play the point right away since he's a two-year player tops? His highlights show he has great floor vision and incredible athleticism. The on thing they don't show is if can he lob pass into the post. If he's got that, he'd start at the point over Tharpe in all likelihood. Otherwise, he'd be the two, but still a viable handler. Selden and Vonleh need top priority right now.
ralster 8 months ago
Yep. Selden has ridiculous court vision. I think Self would play him like he played Juju Wright. Wright did alot of spectacular things, but also led the team in pop-tarts. Selden has sick, sick game. Analogy to a 6'5 verson of Sherron Collins is spot on! And Selby was a 6'2 version of Sherron's skill&swagger also. All I'm doing is rooting for Self to land such specimens w/skills...saw the video...wow!
bennybob 7 months, 4 weeks ago
Given the level of athlete in the front court he'll be playing with I don't forsee the necessity of alot of lob passes.
I'd take him in a second lob pass ability or no
ku1otaku 8 months ago
Why do I have a feeling he is going to pick Syracuse?
bennybob 7 months, 4 weeks ago
Because your capable of looking at recent recruiting trends and applying critical thinking skills and logic.
but be careful when you do that, alot of people get upset from such things on this board
OakvilleJHawk 8 months ago
*Wayne "Sudden" Selden bringing the ball upcourt for KU with Conner "The Kid" Frankamp alongside would look like The Incredible Hulk and Spiderman coming to the rescue!!
*I still think that Karviar "Caviar" Shephard is a real key recruit for KU's long term excellence.
drgnslayr 8 months ago
Looks like simple math, to me:
Wayne Selden = Derrick Rose + steroids
Imagine signing him with Karviar!
COJHawk 8 months ago
Honest question about Late Night...anyone have info on how many kids who've been to "Late Night" the last few years actually playing at KU? I LOVED "Late Night" when I was a student. Unsure about whether it helps land prospects. Anyone have the lowdown?
JayDogger 8 months ago
I wondered that too. I wish it was just for the men's team but isn't it for both men's and women's?
I think Selden would be a two-year player but I'm basing that on very little evidence, just that I think he would need to develop his skills a bit before the NBA. He was originally a class of '14, for what that's worth.
konkeyDong 8 months ago
I don't know what the stats are, but I know it was pivotal for Selby. I don't know if Self has ever signed a guy at late night. While campus visit commits aren't rare, it's far more common for the caliber of players we pursue to finish their visits before they commit.
ralster 8 months ago
Konkey reminded me of Selby. Hey, I will always support that kid, because: 1)he came to LateNight with an obviously open mind, 2)He chose us and Selfball's challenge, 3)He made a dedicated effort in the classroom, even showing the swagger to publicly say he wanted the Dean's List (got a 3.3), 4)and was a very confident kid on the court, playing in pain (as described by Reed in Reed's book, as they had the same foot injury), 5)sacrificed his body for ku, eventhough 85% was diving into tables...6)Still had the cojones to attempt desparately-needed 3s vs. VCU when everyone else, including Reed had long since puckered, 7)his earned #1 ranking on display in the ku prequel of the Jordan Classic game (saw it live, beaming with jhwk pride, I was), 8)his ku sequel, being named NBA preseason MVP this year (I knew he could show true game, being 100%!!), and finally: 9) He will always be introduced at every arena as "...from the Univ. of KS...". We need Josh Selby to continue to shine for every reason. Of course, selfishly, I wish we had the 2yr rule...and we likely would have taken KY. Hehe...
heterohilfiger 8 months ago
Updated (Semi-Realistic) 2013 Dream Class
1-Frankamp 2-Selden 3-Greene 4-Vonleh or Gordan 5-Karviar
mikehawk 8 months ago
Just the kind of player Coach likes. Big. Physical.
crooner 8 months ago
Selden is a good looking recruit. Reminds me a bit of Terrence Williams or Wesley Matthews, an aggressive, physical point forward. Doesn't seem the type we land (more of a Big East guy IMO), but coming to Late Night after we got in late recruiting him is a good sign. Might he also influence the recruitment of Vonleh???
Alohahawk 8 months ago
As I said above, so glad Selden will be attending Late Night. However, Self has been recruiting Selden for a long time, so KU/Self didn't get involved late. That's one of the reasons I think he will be a Jayhawk. Some of the earlier reports, from back when he was classified in the 2014 class, in which I believe he was ranked in the top 6, have led me to that assumption.
Self has also recruited Noah Vonleh and Aaron Gordon for a long time (They both play PF so no way both would chose KU), but adding one of those along with Selden would be a stud class (with Frankamp and Greene), all of which are excellent shooters. Or, if KU gets Selden but loses out on NH or AG, but can add one of the other top bigs (Shepherd, Roberson, or Lawrence), KU would still be looking very good!
lighthawk 8 months ago
call me old, I went to first late night, used to be midnight....
not what it used to be, not saying it isn't good, but not the exact format to inspire recruits...
LeadFarmer 7 months, 3 weeks ago
Wayne Selden = Josh Selby version 2
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