Now that Roy Williams and Bill Self have changed jobs, what are the recruits left to do? ESPN.com takes a look at what the incoming freshmen at Kansas and Illinois are saying about their former coach's decisions and their future plans.
KANSAS RECRUITS
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David Padgett
Reno H.S.
Reno, Nev.
Center | 6-11 | 238
Status: Signed by Kansas
Others: UNC, Arizona
Future: The case study so to speak for incoming freshmen left behind by coaches leaving for another job. Padgett chose Kansas over UNC -- mainly because of Roy Williams. But despite early reports, he doesn't figure to follow Williams to Chapel Hill. Padgett's father was critical of Williams' departure for UNC, though he softened his stance in recent days and told the Lawrence Journal-World this weekend that his son's intention to play for KU was all but certain.
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J.R. Giddons
John Marshall H.S.
Oklahoma City, Okla.
Guard | 6-6 | 190
Status: Signed by Kansas
Others: Oklahoma, TCU, Oklahoma State, Purdue, Illinois
Future: Giddons has never wavered on his commitment to KU, no matter who ultimately replaced Williams. Self showed interested in Giddons while at Illinois and when Giddons learned it was Self who was hired as KU's new coach, he was "excited" and reiterated his commitment to Kansas in the wake of Self's hiring. "I never really considered leaving Kansas. It's my relationship with the fans and the players. I feel like I'm one of them."
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Omar Wilkes
Loyola H.S.
Los Angeles, Calif.
Guard | 6-3 | 175
Status: Signed by Kansas
Others: UCLA, California
Future: Like Padgett, Self may have to reasure Wilkes that Kansas is still the place for him, or risk losing the son of former UCLA standout Jamal Wilkes. When asked this weekend if he plans to honor his letter of intent, Wilkes said, "I don't know coach Self. I can't say. I'd have to hear him out ... But I do love Kansas University." Wilkes' decision was a bit of a surprise in this past October, considering his father's success in Westwood and his sister currently attends UCLA. But Wilkes called it a "gut feeling."
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Jeremy Case
McAlester H.S.
McAlester, Okla.
Guard | 6-0 | 165
Status: Signed by Kansas
Others: Oklahoma, Colorado, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, Tulsa
Future: The Jayhawks overcame vigorous opposition from Oklahoma to land Case. Case averaged over 24 points a game this season, leading McAlester to the state playoffs. And despite his local ties, Case has stated stince Williams bolted KU for North Carolina that he plans to attend Kansas regardless of the next coach.
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ILLINOIS RECRUITS
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Charlie Villanueva
Blair Academy
Blairstown, N.J.
Center | 6-10 | 220
Status: Verbal to Illinois
Others: NBA, Kansas
Future: How's this for a twist: Villanueva in a Kansas jersey next season. It could happen, but isn't likely. Villanueva orally committed to Illinois but has not signed a letter of intent and is still contemplating a jump to the NBA. But, Villanueva opened another avenue this weekend when he said he might consider following Bill Self to KU. He is quoted as saying the NBA is his first option and his adviser told ESPN.com he's going pro. But, his mom says he's going to college, first. A host of schools are waving scholarships, while the NBA is waving cash.
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Warren Carter
Lake Highlands H.S.
Dallas, Texas
Forward | 6-9 | 210
Status: Signed by Illinois
Others: Oklahoma, TCU, Oklahoma State, Purdue, Illinois
Future: Carter spoke with Self on Saturday night when the coach told him he was leaving for Kansas. He's also "pretty sure" he'll be at Illinois this fall, but like the other Illinois recruits was "frustrated and disappointed" about Self's decision.
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Richard McBride
Springfield Lanphier
Springfield, Ill.
Guard | 6-3 | 175
Status: Signed by Illinois
Others: Indiana, Connecticut, Cincinnati, Memphis, Louisville, Kentucky, Michigan State.
Future: Local product doesn't figure to change his college choice. "This is what I wanted, what my family wanted and basically what everybody around me wanted, to stay close to home. So this was a pretty easy decision," said McBride on the day he chose Illinois. Still, when he learned of Self's departure, he was "hurt" and spoke about getting back into "the recruiting process." But a conversation with Illinois freshman Dee Brown has McBride once again committed to "staying" at Illinois -- a program that has been recruiting McBride since the days of Lon Kruger. |
Brian Randle
Peoria Notre Dame
Peoria. Ill.
Forward | 6-7 | 195
Status: Signed by Illinois
Others: Notre Dame, Indiana, Kansas and Michigan.
Future: Another local product, Randle committed to Illinois in July, 2002 and signed in November before his senior season. He too doesn't figure to change his college plans after averaged 22.9 points, 12.8 rebounds and 5.1 blocks as a senior. Despite interest in Kansas during recruitment, Randle won't follow Self to Lawrence, instead following McBride -- not to mention fellow Peoria ND alum Frank Williams and Sergio McClain -- to Champaign. ''It's kind of disheartening,'' Randle told the Chicago Sun-Times. "You go to play with the coach and then he leaves. I'll still be there. I understand it's a business." |
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