Kansas University coach Bill Self today received sign letters of intent from a pair of highly-touted guards on the first day of the week-long signing period.
Sherron Collins, a 5-11, 190-pound playmaker from Chicago’s Crane High, and Brady Morningstar, a 6-3, 170-pound combo guard from Free State High and New Hampton Prep School, inked this morning at their respective schools.
Collins, Sports Illustrated’s No. 2-rated point guard in the country, averaged 25 points, 10 assists and eight boards last season at Crane. He chose KU over Illinois and Iowa.
“He is very explosive, he can finish with one or two hands around the basket. Dunk on big guys and be as quick as anyone on the floor,” Self said. “We think he is a good shooter, certainly a threat everytime he has the ball.”
Self said Collins compared to former Crane standout Will Bynum, who played at Georgia Tech.
“I think they are both great one-on-one players,” Self continued. “I recruited Will out of high school hard. I think Sherron is more of a point guard.”
Self said that he could see Collins playing alongside KU freshman guard Mario Chalmers in the same backcourt next year.
Morningstar, who figures to gain from playing 35 games against stiff competition at New Hampton Prep, while also hitting the weights hard this school year, averaged 19 points and five rebounds his senior year at Free State.
He chose KU over TCU, West Virginia, Tennessee, Northern Illinois and others.
“He plays unselfish, makes the game easier for other guys. The ball doesn’t have to be in his hand the majority of possessions,” Self said of the local standout.
“A complimentary wing guy. He’s athletic, a good shooter, and a matter of time strength-wise will allow him to be a good player on this level.”
Self, who has one scholarship remaining for the class of 2006, said: “We’re hoping to fill it, but we don’t know when.”
