How good a basketball player is Michael Lee?
Pretty darn good, says recruiting analyst Mike Sullivan, who scouted Lee at various venues last summer.
Lee attended the Nike camp in Indianapolis and NBA camp in Washington.
“He is athletic, stocky. He can score. He puts some points up in a hurry,” said Sullivan of Insidersreport.com.
“He can help Kansas. He is not going to score 20 points a game, but he will score. I will call him a good addition.”
Some have said Lee is part of a so-called “package deal.”
Lee is best friends with fellow Portland (Ore). Jefferson High guard Aaron Miles, who is considering KU, Arizona, UCLA and Oregon.
It’s believed Miles will choose Kansas, in part because he’s best friends with Lee.
“I don’t see it that way. I prefer to look at this as a great day for Portland basketball,” said Portland Elite Legends summertime coach Troy Berry. He’s coached Lee and Miles the past couple of summers.
“We have struggled so long to get that national recognition. Michael’s commitment to KU is good for kids coming up underneath him. It elevates the status of Portland basketball. Last week I called Terrell Brandon (Minnesota Timberwolves player out of Portland). He took a keen interest when I said Aaron and Mike were visiting Kansas. He was excited. He said it was great for Portland.”
Regarding Lee’s ability, Berry said: “He can shoot the ball, he can play defense and hustle. There are some areas of improvement. He’ll have to continue to work hard and make the necessary adjustments to the college level. He’s a very good high school player now. I would expect him to be good at the next level.”
In an interesting sidenote, Lee’s dad, John, coached Miles’ dad, Mark, at Portland Community College.
Approximately 50 hopefuls have attended KU’s walk-on tryouts at Allen Fieldhouse this week.
“The enthusiasm and effort is great,” said Kansas University assistant coach Ben Miller, who is running walk-on tryouts.
“I’m impressed at how they listen and try to play team basketball. We’ve had drills, some 3-on-3 and scrimmaging.”
The Jayhawks may not keep any of the players trying out.
Brett Ballard, a 5-11 guard out of Hutchinson Community College who played at Late Night With Roy Williams and has been practicing daily with the Jayhawks, appears to have made the team though no official announcement has been made.
He will join former Hutch teammate Chris Zerbe and football scholarship quarterback Mario Kinsey as walk-ons on KU’s team.
