Nebraska’s Doc Sadler kept Kansas University’s fifth-year basketball coach company during a Price Chopper AAU battle between Georgia Elite and Kansas City Pump N Run – one of the dozens of games the rivals viewed in the just-completed July recruiting evaluation period.

“I think there is a competitiveness,” Self said, “but from a coach’s standpoint, we all seem to get along pretty well.”

That was evident at the Price Chopper event in which Self spent time not only watching prep players, but bumping into the likes of Rick Majerus (St. Louis), Lon Kruger (UNLV), Rex Walters (Florida Atlantic), Barry Hinson (Missouri State), Greg McDermott (Iowa State), Jerry Wainwright (DePaul) and on and on.

“By this time of the summer we have pretty much identified who we are trying to recruit,” Self said. “We’ve seen them (prospects) play enough we are probably not evaluating as much as showing them they are a priority for us by being there.

“A lot of teams … this may be the 10th time we’ve seen them this summer. Some players that you recruit hard … your staff will see them bounce it (ball) every time they bounce it this summer. We’ve had numerous opportunities to see the players.”

By the end of July, it takes quite a game to snap the coaches out of a zombie-like trance.

“I’m not bored,” Self said after a game between Las Vegas and Dallas that did not exhibit inspired play. “I enjoy going to watch kids play. I will say this … players for the most part look tired to me. They all will be ready when July is over. I’ll be ready when July is over.”

Well … July now is over, and Self, while not naming players in accordance with NCAA rules, admitted his trips to Nevada, South Carolina, California, Georgia, Florida and New Jersey supplied him with some new names in the Class of 2008.

“We found some new guys to recruit this summer by getting out and watching – absolutely,” said Self, who could sign five to seven players this school year depending on how many Jayhawks turn pro.

KU already has received a commitment from Travis Releford, a combo guard from Roeland Park Miege. Some names prominently mentioned as 2008 KU targets have included guards Willie Warren, Rotnei Clarke, Phillip McDonald, Scott Suggs and Marcus Denmon; forwards Greg Monroe, Terrance Henry, Olek Czyz, Clarence Trent and Quintrell Thomas; plus centers J’Mison Morgan and Tyler Zeller.

As always there are names that have not yet been identified by the recruiting analysts.

Looking back at July, Self is glad at least one event was held down the road from Allen Fieldhouse – in Shawnee.

“Tom (Tietze) and his crew do a great job with this event,” Self said of the Kansas City native who yearly sponsors various events in the K.C. area, including the Price Chopper. “It seems there was a pretty good turnout by fans. They’ve got different age groups going. It’s a great event.”

Self said AAU and high school basketball “both have their place” in the grand scheme of things.

“Nothing takes the place of high school basketball. We shouldn’t let people say anything should take the place of high school ball. AAU provides a vehicle for kids to be seen more,” Self said. “Kids are getting developed in high school more than the summer, but the vehicle to be seen is this type of event. You will not have this many coaches go to one gym to see one kid, but when one kid comes where a bunch of other kids are, there’s a great opportunity for a lot of people to see them.”