Kansas University men’s basketball coach Bill Self was out on the recruiting trail Wednesday. He visited Alex Legion, a 6-foot-5 senior shooting guard from Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, Va.
Legion, the 45th-ranked prospect in the class of 2007 by Rivals.com, was recently released from his national letter of intent by the University of Michigan, following the firing of former coach Tommy Amaker.
No campus visit to KU has yet been scheduled.
Legion is slated to visit Kentucky this weekend and also is considering Connecticut and UCLA, as well as Michigan.
Legion’s mom, Annette Williams, told the Detroit News the recruiting process could take some time.
“We have two months,” she said, aware her son cannot sign a second letter-of-intent. He merely can arrive on campus for summer school and receive a full grant-in-aid after enrolling. “We’re going to take some visits.”
Connecticut is expected to receive a visit in two weeks, unless mom convinces her son to cancel. Williams called out Tim Green, the principal of Allen Academy in Detroit and a man Alex has referred to as his mentor, in a Wednesday article in the Detroit Free Press.
“I want to make it clear, Tim Green is not part of this process,” Williams told the Free Press. “I’m tired of him trying to persuade my son against the University of Michigan and his family.”
Green refused comment Tuesday.
“I’ve been quiet for four years, but Tim Green does not speak for my son, and I’m tired of him trying to make decisions for my son,” Williams said. “Mr. Green wants my son to go to Connecticut or UCLA, but my son will go to neither institution.”
Williams’ mom told both papers her son has not ruled out Michigan and new coach John Beilein. Legion is expected to meet with Beilein in a week and a half when Legion returns to Detroit from Oak Hill.
“I really like what I’m hearing about Beilein,” she told the Free Press. “I really want to thank coach (Kurt) Keener, who has talked very positively about my son to coach Beilein. We just needed to get rid of Tim Green.”
Keener is Legion’s former coach at Detroit Country Day High.
KU currently has a full allotment of 12 scholarships for next season, but could elect to delay an NCAA penalty one year. Brandon Rush’s status is uncertain and likely will remain that way until late next week.