Malik Hairston, who chose a college Monday night, won’t reveal his decision until Wednesday afternoon.
“I have made a decision. I have the school in my head. I will let it sit there and marinate,” an admittedly relieved Hairston said at 7:05 p.m. Monday, 35 minutes after settling on one of his six finalists — Kansas University, Michigan, UCLA, Ohio State, Oregon or Oklahoma.
“I guess I can say Kansas is one of the last two or three,” added the 6-foot-5 McDonald’s All-American, who has scheduled a news conference for 3 p.m. CDT Wednesday at Detroit’s Renaissance High.
In the interim, the combo guard said he’d call all the coaches except the two finalists.
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“I think it’s very important I let the other coaches know I’m no longer interested in their schools before I put it out there,” he said.
Hairston — who averaged 22 points a game last season for Michigan’s large-class state champs — was willing to discuss everything about recruiting … except the winner of his services.
“I thought about it for a very long time. I used all my resources. It was a very difficult decision, one of the hardest made in my life. I think I have a very informed decision,” Hairston said, noting family members were split.
“My parents … both of them were pulling for different schools. I gained confidence from both of them respectively in making the right decision,” Hairston added, noting he ultimately sliced the list to two schools, which he declined to reveal.
“They were both great universities.”
He had glowing remarks about the unnamed school he had selected.
“This school is the overall (best) pick basketball-wise, connections to the future, everything,” Hairston said.
He made his final visit — an unofficial day trip to Michigan nine days ago — and has been in deliberations ever since.
“It’s been a very difficult decision. Each school has a lot to offer,” Hairston said. “During the season, I was focused on being a state champion. After the season ended is when I began the recruiting experience.”
His AAU coach, Speedy Walker, said he was glad recruiting was over.
“I know it was a tough decision for him,” Walker said. “I’ll let him announce his own decision.”
KU’s coaches cannot comment on specific recruits in accordance with NCAA rules.
Giles, who visited the University of Washington last weekend, hopes to choose either KU or UW a day or two after the KU visit. There is still a chance, however, Cincinnati could enter the mix
Also visiting KU this coming weekend will be a pair of top prep juniors — Micah Downs, 6-8 from Bothell, Wash., and Mario Chalmers, 6-1 from Anchorage, Ala. Downs is considering KU, Gonzaga and Duke. Chalmers has a top three of KU, Arizona and Wake Forest with Georgia Tech and UCLA still on his list.
6Sports video: Hairston to announce decision Wednesday (5-10-04)