Nick Collison Commits to JayhawksSeptember 21, 1998 |
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K.C. Star on Collison (3/23/99) |
 The Jayhawks' 1998 recruiting class became
one of the best in the nation Sunday evening when Iowa
prep star Nick Collison told Roy Williams that he would
be a Jayhawk next season. The 6-9, 230 lb. Collison had
been on campus this weekend for an official recruiting
visit and informed KU of his intentions Sunday night
before leaving. Collison is ranked by virtually everyone as one of the top 20 high school players in the senior class and is ranked the second-best high school player by Bob Gibbons, one of the most respected recruiting analysts. ESPN ranks him as the 4th best high school power forward. Collison had narrowed his choices to KU and Duke. He visited Duke the weekend of September 12th before taking an official visit to KU this past weekend. Collison was already very familiar with KU, however, having taken four unofficial visits to the campus in the last year, including Late Night a year ago. Collison's commitment, coming on the heels of the commitment of 6-9 Andrew Gooden, gives KU two of the top 20 players in the country and ensures that KU will have one of the top classes in the nation. It will also give KU an imposing front line. With Eric Chenowith already on the roster, KU will have one of the most talented front-courts in the nation for quite some time. By all reports, Collison is a player that KU fans will like a lot both on and off the court. On the court he combines the skills of a classic power forward around the basket with the shooting, ball handling and driving abilities of a small forward. He is quick for his size and has the touch to shoot the ball from the perimeter. He is also a very likable young man from all reports and a strong student. The Ames paper recently did a lengthy three-part article on Nick, which I encourage you to read as a way of getting to know the new member of the "family." (Nick Collison--The Prospect, The Prospect--Part 2, The Prospect--part 3) With Collison in the fold, attention turns to signing a point guard. KU is one of the finalists along with Iowa St. and Oklahoma for Kirk Hinrich, a top 50 point guard from Iowa. Hinrich teamed with Collison on an Iowa AAU team over the summer and is reportedly pretty good friends with him. Hinrich would be a great addition and would make this KU recruiting class perhaps KU's best ever. It is unclear who, other than Hinrich, KU is recruiting for the point guard spot. It is possible that KU will have a fourth scholarship to use this year if Lester Earl isn't given another year of eligibility. Word on his status is expected within the next month. It is likely that KU would save that scholarship for next year, however, so that it will have three to give out next fall. The Nick Collison File:
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