Kansas City high school basketball guards Jeff Hawkins and Jamar Howard welcomed Kansas University basketball coach Roy Williams into their respective homes on Thursday.
They watched a KU highlight film, talked academics and hoops and set up campus visits to KU for the Oct. 6-8 Kansas-Kansas State football weekend.
They’ll be joined on KU’s campus that weekend by Halstead High prep forward Dennis Latimore, who likely will attend either KU or Arizona.
Hawkins, a lifelong Jayhawk fan, said he was awed by KU’s two-hour presentation.
“I really liked the (highlight) tape they showed me,” said Hawkins, a 5-foot-11 guard from KC Sumner, who is ready to call off recruiting and commit to KU if the Jayhawks offer a scholarship. “It was great. I really like KU. I’m just making some visits and waiting.”
Hawkins visited Indiana State last weekend.
He also is planning a trip to Wyoming. Wichita State, Long Beach State and Saint Louis have made in-home visits, but Hawkins doesn’t think he’ll set up visits to those schools.
“Indiana State was pretty fun,” said Hawkins, who averaged 17.7 points and 3.5 steals a year ago. “It’s nice to see other schools. It will be fun to see Wyoming’s campus. I hear it gets pretty cold there.”
Howard, 6-4 from SM Miege, has set up just the one visit to KU. He’s also heard from Iowa, Wichita State and Creighton.
“He’s looking everywhere right now, just enjoying the process,” Miege coach Rick Zych said.
Miege has compiled a 42-5 record since Howard moved to the KC area from Columbia, Mo. Miege placed second in the state Class 5A tourney two seasons ago and lost in the first round last year.
“He’s a two-man (shooting guard) a slasher,” Zych said of Howard, who averaged 19.9 points as a junior. “Kansas is recruiting him. I think there is interest there. He will look at Kansas and a handful of others.”
Hayes is in the house: Chuck Hayes, 6-6 from Modesto, Calif., arrived Friday for his campus visit to KU. He’ll attend tonight’s KU-Southern Illinois football game. Hayes will visit Kentucky on Oct. 13. He’s also slated to visit UTEP next weekend and Pepperdine on Oct. 20.
Miles trip set up: Aaron Miles, 6-0 from Portland, Ore., told Arizona Cat Tracks he will visit KU for its exhibition game against California All Stars on Nov. 1. It likely will be his last visit with the week-long signing period starting Nov. 7. He’ll visit Arizona and is also considering UCLA and Oregon.
