The Kansas men’s basketball program on Tuesday night secured a commitment from the third member of its 2019 recruiting class when 4-star forward Tristan Enaruna announced his commitment on Twitter just before 8 p.m.
In a phone conversation with the Journal-World, the 6-foot-9 forward from Wasatch Academy in Mount Pleasant, Utah, said KU’s history, tradition and standing among college basketball’s blue blood programs was what sold him on picking Bill Self and Kansas.
“I’ve always wanted to play on a big team, like the highest level of college basketball,” Enaruna said. “And they’ve been recruiting me very hard and we kind of built a relationship. I really like Coach Self and I think that he will be able to help me become the player that I really want. I think I’m overall just a great fit for that team.”
At 6-foot-9, 205 pounds, Enaruna possesses the size and skills to play a number of different positions and do different things on the floor.
“I think one of the most noticeable things about me is just my versatility,” he said. “Like being able to play different positions, guard different positions and doing a lot of different stuff on the court. I like to handle the ball and get my teammates involved. I really like to pass. People think that I’m really looking to score a lot, but I love passing.”
Having said that, putting points on the board is also a strength of Enaruna’s, according to KU’s newest player.
“Scoring is another thing that’s one of my other strengths,” he said. “Post-ups, jump shots, 3s and I really like to play in the pick and roll.”
Enaruna came to the United States from Netherlands midway through his junior season and has been on an upward trend in the recruiting game nearly the entire time. Ranked No. 44 in the most recent Rivals.com rankings, Enaruna, who picked KU over Creighton and Miami (Fla.), jumped 61 spots from the previous rankings to crack the Top 50.
“Enaruna is loaded with potential,” KUsports.com recruiting insider Matt Scott said Tuesday night. “He’s long, skilled and not anywhere near his ceiling. He’s a future pro that has really grown since coming to the United States in the middle of his junior year. His length and skill set will be a huge asset for Coach Self and his staff.”
Self has been pursuing Enaruna for months, even going as far as to take a trip to Utah to watch him play during Big 12 play last season. Enaruna said seeing Self in person in his high school gymnasium was “motivational” and made a lasting impression that inspired him to pick the Jayhawks.
If his memory served him correctly, Enaruna recalled recording a double-double of 17 points and 10 rebounds the night Self was in town to watch him play. Enaruna hopes that that kind of production with Self watching is just the beginning of what’s to come.
“He’s one of the best coaches to ever coach the game of basketball,” Enaruna said of Self. “And that’s obviously one thing that I’m really excited about.”
Enaruna is now KU’s highest-ranked player in the 2019 class, which includes 4-star guards Christian Braun (No. 90) and Issac McBride (No. 103).
Self and company still figure to have at least three more scholarships to hand out in the 2019 class before the class is complete.
I’m blessed to announce my commitment to one of the most prestigious programs in the country! I’m super excited to join this great community and see what and where this journey will bring me, I’m ready.
Rock Chalk! ????????????C.O.M.M.I.T.T.E.D???? pic.twitter.com/sG08MK8ezn
— Tristan Enaruna (@TristanEnaruna) May 8, 2019
