“Wayne is so strong on the blocks, you’ve got to keep moving around. I tried … but I got dunked on. He dunked on me. There’s no hesitation, just strength,” gushed Jackson, a 6-foot-9, 235-pound Midwest City, Okla., native and future Jayhawk.

The 6-foot-9, 250-pound Simien showed Jackson, who orally committed to KU in July, current recruit Malik Hairston and about 400 fans that he is fully recovered from March 29 surgery to repair torn ligaments in his right shoulder.

Simien had several vicious slams, including the one in Jackson’s face.

The Leavenworth junior was asked if the slam on Jackson was unleashed to “make a statement.”

“No, not really, it’s just my demeanor. It’s, uh, ‘Welcome to the family,'” Simien added with a grin. “He said he’s glad he’s on my team, so that’s cool.”

Simien said he experienced no pain in his right shoulder Saturday.

In fact he cannot remember the last time he experienced pain in the surgically repaired wing.

“The doctor … he’s one of the best,” Simien said of Dr. Russsell Warren, the New York Giants team doctor who works out of the Hospital For Special Surgery in New York.

“That’s why we went all the way out there — to get it done by the best. He did his job back in March. He fixed me up, and I did my job this summer rehabbing, making sure I wouldn’t have any problems.”

Simien rehabbed all summer and finally was cleared to play shortly after returning to campus this semester. He feels energized every time he steps on the court.

“I’m really excited. I’ve been waiting a long time for this. It took me a lot of work to get back,” Simien said. “I’m trying to catch up for some of the time I lost this summer when I wasn’t playing. The shoulder feels good, and I’m trying to be one of the leaders on this team.”

The sculpted Simien figures to be one of the country’s top inside players this season.

“I’ve been lifting weights, working hard, just trying to set a good example for some of the younger guys,” Simien said.

Simien said he had been impressed with KU’s five newcomers — David Padgett, Omar Wilkes, J.R. Giddens, Jeremy Case and walk-on Nick Bahe. All looked comfortable and had their moments of effectiveness during pick-up action.

“All of them are doing well,” Simien said. “I think Jeremy Case (6-foot, McAlester, Okla.) will surprise a lot of people. He has got a pure stroke. I think once we all get adjusted to the system, they all will come in and contribute early.”

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Recruit dazzles: Malik Hairston, a 6-foot-5 guard/forward from Detroit, showed why he’s the country’s No. 6-rated player during pick-up action. In the first of many pick-up games, Hairston opened the scoring with a dunk, hit a three and made a no-look pass to Christian Moody that resulted in a layup. Hairston, who is making his official visit to KU this weekend, has visited Ohio State and UCLA. He’s also considering Michigan and Michigan State.

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Why’s DJ here?: Jackson, of Midwest City, Okla., is in town on an unofficial visit. “I wanted to come up, see the guys and go to the football game,” said Jackson, who will make his official visit to KU for Late Night With Bill Self. Jackson chose KU over Oklahoma, Purdue and others.

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Pick-up tidbits: Freshman Giddens, who Monday returned to action following summer surgery to repair a stress fracture in his left foot, played in two pick-up games. Giddens, who had several inside buckets, is being brought back slowly but surely. … Junior guard Keith Langford was on fire Saturday, driving for layups and hitting threes. … Junior guard Aaron Miles calmly swished a three, stopping and popping off the fast break. Miles also fed Langford for several hoops, including some alley oop slams. … Former Jayhawk Kirk Hinrich, who leaves today for NBA rookie-orientation sessions in New York, played and played well. He had several drives to the hoop. Hinrich will be a rookie with Chicago’s Bulls this season.