After finishing the season on a disappointing note, Kansas State head coach Frank Martin and his coaching staff hit the recruiting trails hard. Angel Rodriguez, a 2011 recruit, has finally signed his national letter of intent to attend Kansas State and will be a part of the team in the Fall.
Another 2011 target, Jeremy Jones recently gave Martin and the Kansas State basketball program a commitment. Jones, was a junior college All-American and averaged 18.6 points, 4.5 assist and two rebounds. Jones adds a great scoring threat to the Wildcats, who lose a big time scorer in Jacob Pullen.
The Wildcats weren’t done there. James Watson of Cowley County Community College, the former Washington State Cougar, signed with the ‘Cats as well. Watson averaged 10 points, and six rebounds per game. He had other offers from Georgia State and Oklahoma State but ultimately chose the ‘Cats, which will help with the loss of Wally Judge.
Right now, the 2011 class looks something like this: Adrian Diaz, Thomas Gipson, Omari Lawrence, James Watson, Jones and Rodriguez.
The ‘Cats No. 1 priority in the 2012 class has been the 6’8” junior Perry Ellis of Wichita Heights High School (KS). Sources indicate that the Wildcats have a very realistic chance to land Ellis. During both visits (UCF and OU games) Ellis was impressed with the fan support, whether it was the chants of his name or fan signs. A week ago, Kansas State watched Ellis work out along with many others schools. Ellis does hold an offer from Kansas State and the Wildcats were amongst the top six schools chosen when he shortened his list late last year.
D’Vauntes Smith-Rivera has been a popular name for head coach Frank Martin since his decomittment from Xavier last year. Smith-Rivera is a 6’3” point guard from North Central High School (IN) with seven offers from major college programs.
Coach Martin was recently in contact with the 6’3” guard from Indy watching him in workouts along with Louisville and Tennessee. But in a recent interview, Smith-Rivera said UCLA and Georgetown were recruiting him the hardest, not naming Kansas State.
One player naming Kansas State though was former UCF commit Shawn Smith from Providence School (FL). Smith has always shown a great deal of interest in the Wildcats and was once quoted for almost committing.
Smith is amongst the 2012 talent that Martin and his staff are after. Smith is a great slasher, with a decent feel for the mid-range game and with a developing skill set he can really become a major problem in college. He does hold an offer from Kansas State and the Wildcats are a realistic destination for the 6’3” shooting guard.
Kansas State is amongst the latest schools to show some interest in Indiana star Gary Harris ’12. The Wildcats recently watched Harris and teammate Zak Irvin (2013) workout. Neither player has been offered by Kansas State but Martin is certainly showing interest.
Jabari Parker, the talented 6’7” forward out of Chicago, IL was also recently visited by Kansas State along with many others. Parker holds 18 scholarship offers with one coming from in-state rival Kansas, as well three other Big 12 schools.
Allerik Freeman has been a new name added to the list. Freeman is a 6’4” sophomore shooting guard out of Charlotte, NC. His versatility has been the best trait of his developing game as well as his physical frame. Kansas State was amongst the many schools to inquire about the gifted sophomore from Olympic H.S. (NC). Martin and his staff have yet to offer but he’s certainly a recruit worth the look.
All together, Kansas State has offered six players in 2012, two of which are both basketball and football athletes. Ra’Shaad Samples, a 5’11” speedster from Dallas, TX was the only player offered by Kansas State in the class of 2013.
So far Kansas State has done a good job of recruiting to keep Kansas State amongst the top teams in the nation. The Wildcats aren’t done though. Expect the ‘Cats to start offering more once the future of some current K-State players become clear.
