Future KU forward KJ Adams hoping a third Texan, Daimion Collins, chooses Jayhawks
So far, the University of Kansas has landed two high school basketball players from the state of Texas in the recruiting Class of 2021.
KJ Adams, a 6-foot-8, 220-pound senior power forward out of Westlake High School in Austin, who committed to KU on July 31, would like to make it three.
Adams, the No. 84-ranked player in the recruiting Class of 2021 according to Rivals.com, joined 6-10 San Antonio native Zach Clemence of Sunrise Christian Academy in Bel Aire, Kansas as the first two members of KU’s current recruiting class. He is a close friend of No. 20-ranked Daimion Collins.
Collins, a 6-9, 205-pound senior power forward from Atlanta (Texas) High School, is considering KU, Oklahoma, Texas, Texas Tech, Houston, Baylor, Oklahoma State and others.
“That is my long-time friend. We’ve got to get him over there (KU). If we get him over there, we’re going to be hard to beat,” Adams said recently of Collins on the Zach “SchuZ” Schumaker recruiting podcast. “I was with him all weekend (at recent Team Griffin AAU event). Of course I was putting Kansas in his ear. That’s one of my best friends in the basketball world. I want him there with me.”
Asked what he’s mentioning about KU to Collins, Adams said: “Just the history. They’ve won their conference many times. They have shown the most consistency I’ve ever seen in a college basketball team. They just continue to win and breed NBA athletes every year.”
Rivals.com’s Corey Evans on Tuesday wrote that Oklahoma and Texas may be leading for Collins, who “has been focused on relationships and finding the best fit.”
Adams is also buddies with Clemence, the No. 29-rated player in the Class of 2021 by RIvals.com who committed to Kansas on May 11.
“It’s funny because in sixth grade I played against him all the time. We always played each other in the San Antonio area,” Adams said on the Schumaker podcast.
“He is a good dude. It’ll be good to play with him instead of playing against him all the time. It’s good to play with a friend you’ve known a long time,” Adams added of Clemence.
Clemence told The Star Tuesday night he’s happy to join Adams at KU in the same recruiting class.
“I’ve known KJ for a long time now and he has always been on the opposing team. KJ is great. I’ve talked to him a bunch and we have become great friends over the last couple years,.” Clemence said in a direct message via Twitter.
Adams also is friends with KU freshman combo guard Bryce Thompson of Tulsa, Oklahoma.
“He is one of the best playmakers out there,” Adams said of Thompson, a 6-4 McDonald’s All-American from Booker T. Washington High School who ended the 2019-20 school year as the No. 21-ranked player in the recruiting Class of 2020, according to Rivals.com.
“Bryce is unselfish, passes the ball,” Adams said. “He does everything right to have a winning program, a winning team. He does all the little things right. It could be a big win next year (upcoming season) for KU.”
“Oh my gosh, we’re capable of so much,” Adams added of the Jayhawks accomplishing much his freshman season in 2021-22 if Thompson does not turn pro after one campaign. “We are capable of a lot of things to help the program and continue the legacy. It will be crazy because of the long history they have there. It’s one thing to start a history, it’s a whole another story to maintain a legacy at a place.”
KU has had success recruiting Texas prospects during the Bill Self era — Texans Marcus Garrett, Jalen Wilson, Latrell Jossell and walk-on Michael Jankovich are all on the 2020-21 roster.
“I was, ‘Do I want to leave Texas or stay in Texas?’ That’s been a struggle so many years since I got an offer,” Adams said.. “I first got my Texas offer then got an offer from a school outside of Texas (soph year of high school). I didn’t realize how hard it was going to be to leave your home state. I think a lot were surprised I left Texas.
“I felt I’ve got to take a leap of faith to see how good I am. I could have stayed home in Texas and been really comfortable but wouldn’t have known my full capability because I wouldn’t be with the best people. Go away from home get out of my comfort zone so I can do great things.”
Adams continued: “It’s good knowing I can still come to Texas two or three times a year for (Big 12) games.. It’s definitely something to look forward to. It will be crazy playing Texas just knowing your family is able to see you play in your hometown. I will have so many family and friends at that game.”
This story was originally published August 26, 2020 at 10:12 AM with the headline "Future KU forward KJ Adams hoping a third Texan, Daimion Collins, chooses Jayhawks."
