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CBT’s Recruiting Roundup: Kansas has visitors, Henry Ellenson’s impact on Marquette

Bill Self

Each Monday and Friday, College Basketball Talk’s Scott Phillips goes over some important news and notes in the world of college basketball recruiting. This week, Kansas has a big weekend of visitors, Henry Ellenson’s impact to Marquette and Danny Manning gets a talented big man.

Kansas has a lot of big names in town

Kansas is off to a slow start in the 2015 class, but with a potential number of spots to fill thanks to NBA Draft defections and transfers, there are plenty of elite 2015 prospects still intrigued by what Bill Self is offering in Lawrence.

This weekend in Lawrence, the Jayhawks host 6-foot-7 wing Jaylen Brown, 7-foot big man Stephen Zimmerman, 6-foot-9 forward Carlton Bragg, 6-foot-8 wing Brandon Ingram and 6-foot-4 guard Tyler Dorsey, according to Evan Daniels of Scout.com.

All five prospects are in the top 20 in Rivals’ Class of 2015 rankings and a commitment from just one of them would make a huge impact in a recruiting class. But Kansas is hoping for multiple commitments and for relationships to be formed on this trip so that a class of good players potentially comes to Kansas.

This is a good weekend for the Jayhawks to lay the ground work for a lot of spring commitments and potentially some in the fall. Other five-star 2016 and 2017 prospects are visiting as well and it should be a busy weekend in Lawrence.

Henry Ellenson’s impact on Marquette

When Marquette landed a transfer from Minnesota wing Wally Ellenson in early June, many analysts and fans perceived the Golden Eagles as the favorite for five-star Class of 2015 forward Henry Ellenson.

And while head coach Steve Wojciechowski and his staff still got it done, they had to defeat a ton of premier programs recruiting the Wisconsin native like Kentucky, Duke, North Carolina and Michigan State. Ellenson was expected to go to Marquette, but he still heard pitches from every blueblood program in the country and wanted to stay in Wisconsin with his brother.

It’s another big recruiting win for the Big East as well, and coupled with Jalen Brunson to Villanova, gives the conference two likely McDonald’s All-Americans.

Now Marquette can try to build off of a great initial recruiting class that includes guards Nick Noskowiak and Haanif Cheatham as well as in-state big man Matt Heldt. With this first class, Wojo has shown that he can recruit major classes into Marquette.

Danny Manning gets a talented big man at Wake Forest

Wake Forest seems to have made an impact hire with new head coach Danny Manning, but the Demon Deacons still need talent to compete in the deep and treacherous ACC.

Four-star guard Bryant Crawford was a nice start and now Manning has a big man to mold in 7-foot Georgia native Doral Moore. Although Moore checks in at No. 48 in Rivals’ 2015 rankings, he is an upside prospect, capable of emerging higher because he’s so skilled for a big man.

Moore can make some impact as a shot blocker and also has soft hands and touch on hooks and jumpers. If Manning can get Moore to buy in, hit the weight room and play hard with consistency then he could have a really talented impact player in his program.

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