Andrew Wiggins has supplanted Jabari Parker as the nation’s top high school basketball recruit. At least according to most college basketball recruiting services. While Jabari Parker of Chicago Simeon formally signed with the Duke Blue Devils long ago, Andrew Wiggins will announced his college basketball destination on Tuesday; he will play for the Kansas Jayhawks.
Just one local beat reporter, no national media were there as h choose Kansas, over Florida State, Kentucky and North Carolina.
So much for Florida State and their family connection. Also, the Florida State cheerleaders, dance team and co-eds did all they could to welcome him.
With Wiggins in tow, the Kansas Jayhawks now have the #2 ranked recruiting class behind Kentucky. Had Wiggins picked UK, then the Wildcats would have become even more overwhelming favorites than they already are. Instead you have to consider Rock Chalk a favorite to cut down the nets.
Wiggins is obviously an enormous get for Self and the Jayhawks who will lose all five starters from last year’s team. Yes, Kansas will be very young next year (Wiggins will be one of seven freshman on the roster) but also extremely talented when you factor in McDonald’s All-American shooting guard Wayne Selden and seven-foot big man Joel Embiid who really stood out during the Nike Hoops Summit. Oklahoma State was thought to have a leg up in the Big 12 Title race next season since Marcus Smart elected to return for his sophomore season, but Wiggins’ decision still makes Kansas the team to beat in that league, and a likely top five preseason team.
Paul M. Banks is the owner of The Sports Bank.net. He’s also an author who also contributes regularly to MSN, Fox Sports , Chicago Now, Walter Football.com and Yardbarker
Banks has appeared on the History Channel, as well as Clear Channel, ESPN and CBS radio all over the world. President Barack Obama follows him on Twitter (@PaulMBanks)