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Jahlil Okafor, the No. 1-rated basketball player in the recruiting Class of 2014 according to Rivals.com, and No. 5 Tyus Jones, today announced on ESPNU they would be attending Duke on basketball scholarships.
The duo chose Duke over runnerup Kansas University, though Baylor also was a major player for the two.
Moments after missing out on Okafor and Jones, KU got good news from Chicago big man Cliff Alexander, the fourth-ranked prospect in the Class of 2014:
http://www2.kusports.com/news/2013/nov/15/no-4-recruit-cliff-alexander-picks-kansas/
Okafor, 6-10, 270 from Chicago’s Whitney Young High, averaged 20.9 points (off 69.8 percent shooting), 8.8 rebounds and 2.9 blocks his junior year.
Jones, 6-1 from Apple Valley (Minn.) High, averaged 20.6 points and 7.0 assists per game a year ago.
“Jones is a heady floor general and a tough competitor. He runs the show and is in total control of what is happening while he has the ball,” writes Rivals.com’s Eric Bossi. “He doesn't make a lot of mistakes and shoots with accuracy. Jones isn't the biggest or most explosive athlete but he has great body control and balance.”
Of Okafor, Bossi said: “Jahlil Okafor is one of the most skilled and poised back to the basket centers to come along in some time. He establishes and holds positions, finishes with either hand and is a great rebounder. Okafor isn’t a high flyer but fully understands how to use his skill and size advantage.”
Comments
Daniel Kennamore 8 years, 6 months ago
Not surprised at all; as long as we get Cliff though we'll be fine.
Jesse Johnson 8 years, 6 months ago
Agree, what we need is a replacement for either Embiid or Selden if they decide to leave. We won't know until later in the season but fortunately we are still recruiting Turner and Vaughn who seem like they're going to wait until later, which works in our favor. Getting Cliff instead of the package was ideal for us.
Jeff Kilgore 8 years, 6 months ago
Alexander to Kansas!!!!!!!1
Jesse Johnson 8 years, 6 months ago
Yippee!
Dyrk Dugan 8 years, 6 months ago
Rivals has it listed.....Cliff Alexander has committed to KU! Welcome Mr. Alexander!
Waylon Cook 8 years, 6 months ago
What happened to the squid and KeNITucky? They don't seem to be in conversation for every player in the top 10 anymore. Looked at there for commits and weren't anything super exciting(IMO)
Preston Dwiggins 8 years, 6 months ago
That's correct and I think they already inked 2 of the top 10. Bill and staff do a great job of going after the right guys. Excited about Oubre and Alexander.
Mark Lindrud 8 years, 6 months ago
When it comes to recruiting I respect Duke and ok with losing a battle to them. Alexander welcome to Jayhawk Nation!
Joe Ross 8 years, 6 months ago
Yes, we lost the recruiting battle. But is anyone noticing that for major recruits it's either Kansas vs. Kentucky or Kansas vs. Duke? All three are among the Titans in college basketball recruiting of late.
Bill Corey 8 years, 6 months ago
So happy CaliPUNK missed on all three
Greg Lux 8 years, 6 months ago
Kansas will do great without Jones and Okafor. I think without the two man deal we could have gotten Okafor but that's history now. Jones was not going to play behind Tharpe and Mason.
Rock Chalk
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