Alexander, the 6-9, 240-pound man-child prospect from Chicago’s Curie Metropolitan, is the Jayhawks’ second recruit to commit to their class of 2014, joining wing Kelly Oubre Jr. of Findlay Prep in Henderson, Nev.
Alexander, Sporting News’ No. 5 prospect in the Class of 2014, chose the Jayhawks over Memphis, Illinois and DePaul.
"I feel like they're going to develop me, get me who I want to be, and expand my game to the next level," Alexander said.
Alexander played AAU basketball with Jahlil Okafor, who committed to Duke just minutes before Alexander made his pick, but the two never expressed a desire to play with each other the way Okafor and PG Tyus Jones did. That stands to reason, given that Alexander and Okafor would have had to share the spotlight in the post.
With freshman Joel Embiid senior Tarik Black both NBA draft-bound after the season, the Jayhawks had a real need for a post presence like Alexander. His scoring, rebounding and shot-blocking abilities would fit in any program, but it’s the Jayhawks who get to benefit from his skills.
Alexander had ample reason to go to Lawrence. His girlfriend, Caelynn Manning-Allen, is a freshman on the Jayhawks' women's basketball team. His affinity for Kansas was incredibly apparent even in an interview a few months ago.
Alexander was stone-faced in making his decision, no doubt taken aback by all the attention this moment provided. But when it becomes just about basketball next November, you can bet Alexander will be ready to seize the moment.
JOHNSON MAKES IT OFFICIAL
Of all the four top recruits who committed Friday, Stanley Johnson’s decision had the least amount of suspense. The Mater Dei High (Santa Ana, Calif.) prospect committed to Arizona, a day after a Los Angeles Times report said that Johnson would choose the Wildcats.
Johnson held up a pair of sneakers decorated in Arizona blue and red to announce his decision. A 6-7 shooting guard, Johnson joins Craig Victor, Parker Jackson-Cartwright and junior college transfer Kadeem Allen in Arizona’s 2014 class. He picked Arizona over Kentucky and USC.
"What put me over the top for them is just the way they recruited me from my freshman year," Johnson told ESPNU. "Coach (Sean) Miller has been great for me. Genuine, honest. … Just the genuine nature of the coaches and the family feeling I got there on campus. … They showed that the best."
Says Sporting News’ Mike DeCourcy of Johnson: “There is no entourage, no entitlement, no bad body language, no selfishness. Johnson stands 6-7, weighs 220 pounds, jumps high, runs fast, shoots like Kevin Durant and rebounds like Kevin McHale.”
Johnson thought in July that he’d sign in next year’s late period, but his high school coach told the Arizona Daily Star that he had a change of heart and wanted to get it over now.
With Aaron Gordon NBA-bound after his freshman campaign this season, Johnson will fill that role on the wing for Miller.
SMITH WILL MISS CEREMONY
The wife of former North Carolina basketball coach Dean Smith says he will not attend the Presidential Medal of Freedom ceremony at the White House next week.
In an interview with WNCN in Raleigh, Dr. Linnea Smith said efforts were under way to figure out how to get her husband to the presentation on Nov. 20, but she added that traveling is hard for Smith and "it's just really something beyond his ability right now."
It was in 2010 that the family revealed that Smith is suffering from a "progressive neurocognitive disorder that affects his memory."
Smith, who is in the Basketball Hall of Fame, won 879 games over his 36 years in Chapel Hill and led the Tar Heels to two national championships. He will be represented at the ceremony by his long-time coaching assistant, Bill Guthridge, current UNC coach Roy Williams, his wife and three of his five children.
In August, the White House announced that Smith would be among 16 people who President Barack Obama will honor. Also being recognized are former President Bill Clinton and media mogul Oprah Winfrey.
"I'm sure it's a pinnacle. He's always struggled a little bit with recognition," Linnea Smith said. "He always felt a little bit uncomfortable being singled out for awards. He would use it as a time to call attention to those involved in the basketball program or those on the staff who worked with him."
PLAYERS NOT CHARGED
Two Oakland (Mich.) Golden Grizzlies basketball players will not be charged with rape after the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office found insufficient evidence to do so, Detroit TV station WDIV reported.
TMZ reported that senior Duke Mondy and junior Dante Williams were arrested and were being held on $100,000 bail, but coach Greg Kampe told CBS Sports that the players have been released from jail and the charges will be dropped.
According to TMZ, a female in her early 20s called 911 around 5 a.m. local time on Thursday morning to report she had been raped inside a Culver City, Calif. hotel.
"The (players) will be appropriately suspended upon review of the situation," Kampe told CBS Sports, adding that the two players met the female at a Los Angeles Clippers game on Wednesday. "This was more than going past curfew, more than breaking of team policy. It's more than that. I take it very seriously, am apologetic to our fans, apologetic to college basketball that something like this would happen."
TAKING IN SOME HOOPS
President Barack Obama will set aside his busy schedule to take in some college hoops action Sunday.
The University of Maryland announced that the Commander in Chief and the rest of the First Family will be in attendance for Sunday's Terrapins-Oregon State game.
This shouldn't necessarily come as a surprise. The Oregon State Beavers' head coach, Craig Robinson, is Michelle Obama's brother.
Fans are being asked to arrive at least two hours before the 6 p.m. ET tip due to increased security procedures in the area.
Contributors: Roger Kuznia, Kami Mattioli and The Associated Press
