KU, K-State offer basketball scholarship to son of this former St. John’s forward
Kyle Cuffe Jr., a 6-foot-2, 175-pound junior combo guard from Blair Academy in Blairstown, New Jersey, has been offered a basketball scholarship by the University of Kansas, he reported on Twitter.
Cuffe, who is ranked No. 68 in the recruiting Class of 2022 by Rivals.com, also is being recruited by Kansas State, St. John’s, Pitt, UConn, Georgetown, Iona, George Washington, Seton Hall, Georgia, Texas A&M, Hofstra, Rutgers, Providence, UCLA, Bryant and others. He received his K-State offer on May 19.
Cuffe is the son of former St. John’s standout Kyle Cuffe Sr., who as a 6-9 forward, averaged 11.2 points and 7.2 rebounds a game his senior season in 2003-04.
“Congrats son on your latest offer from the University of Kansas. Thanks coach (Bill) Self and coach (Norm) Roberts,” Cuffe Sr., wrote on Twitter.
Cuffe Sr., attended Rice High School in Harlem, New York, the alma mater of former KU national championship point guard Russell Robinson.
Robinson’s picture was added by Cuffe Jr., to his Twitter post reporting KU’s offer of a scholarship.
“Yes I know Kyle Cuffe Sr. He played at my Rice High School before me. He was one of my favorite players,” Robinson told The Star on Sunday night in a direct Twitter message. “He has some great offers so far. Of course I’m pulling for KU,” Robinson added.
Cuffe Jr., helped Blair Academy to a 24-3 record last season and Mid-Atlantic Prep League championship.
‘If there is one thing you can count on with Kyle Cuffe it’s that when he has the ball in his hands the chances of a high-flying play increase excrementally as he was getting to the rim for strong flushes plus his perimeter jump shot is becoming a weapon,” Chick Gillespie of Phenom Hoops Report wrote on Twitter on Aug. 3.
Gillespie added to The Star in a direct message: “Kyle Jr. is an exceptional athlete who is starting to expand his game a bit to include perimeter jump shots but his bread and butter is still getting to the cup and rising up for the athletic finish.”
Noted Kevin Daniels of northeastscoutingreport.com on June 26 on Twitter: “I spent the morning checking out 4-star prospect Kyle Cuffe Jr. He’s one of the best athletes in the country and his jumper looked good today during his workout.”
Cuffe plays for the PSA Cardinals AAU program, which also has a pair of high school seniors considering KU in senior big men Franck Kepnang and Micawber Etienne.
“Cuffe Jr., is unique for his devilishly quick first step, powerful and explosive above the rim finishing and ability to get off the floor quickly and really soar as a 6-2 guard,” Zach Smart of Rivals.com said of Cuffe, who hails from New York City.
“Beyond his freakish athleticism and ability to turn in plays only a rarified class of athletes can pull off, Cuffe Jr. is a dependable shot maker who knows how to make his teammates beneficiaries of his presence. He has used his time at Blair to adapt into more of a facilitator while simultaneously becoming adept at creating his own shot and scoring off the dribble. He’s rapidly evolved as a significant deep threat at Blair,” Smart added.
Kendyl Provost Jr., of circuitscouting.com wrote this about Cuffe: “Has the requisite intangibles paired with athletic ability to make a legit impact. Length, explosiveness, and motor allow him to play bigger than his size. His willingness to compete and making winning plays for his team is palpable. Plays with a chip on his shoulder. Motor is not in question.
“Excellent lateral quickness and defensive footwork. Strong sample size of man to man scheme between Blair Academy and prior AAU. Tags his man well. Always keeping a hand up to guide his way. Certified charge taker. Underrated presence as a rim protector that you don’t normally see with guard prospects. Just finds a way to create events. Plus defensive playmaker. Can be a chase down guy. Sharp hands and instincts. Smart gambler. Excellent anticipation and closing speed off the ball.”
Cuffe’s dad spoke to thenextprospect.org about his son’s early recruitment.
“Enjoy the moment. It is an exciting time for him. He wasn’t on the map, and for him, this year to be on the map, my wife and I try to keep him grounded and let him know when you are resting others are working,” Cuffe Sr., told thenextprospect.org.
“It comes down to multiple layers. Who is coaching? What players are there? How does the university value the coach? Does that school allow players to come back after they graduate? These are different scenarios that we are trying to let our son know about that are important.”
Of his son’s game, dad said Kyle Jr., has “toughness and competitiveness. Kyle is not someone that is going to back down from things. I have to give credit to his mom because that is something he got from her. He’s got that drive and heart that a coach is going to love.”
This story was originally published September 7, 2020 at 8:40 AM with the headline "KU, K-State offer basketball scholarship to son of this former St. John’s forward."
