Juco forward Langston Wilson, who’s considering KU, is lighting up the recruiting scene
Junior college power forward Langston Wilson’s “stock is soaring” after receiving a scholarship offer from Kansas on Aug. 27, Rivals.com’s Eric Bossi noted on Monday.
Wilson, a 6-foot-9, 215-pound sophomore from Georgia Highlands College in Rome, Georgia, “has become one of the most heavily recruited players in America,” Bossi said of the Philadelphia native.
He is son of Ron Wilson, a former Villanova center who went on to play for the Harlem Globetrotters.
“What was consistent (his freshman season) is his absolutely freakish athleticism,” Bossi said. “There isn’t a more explosive frontcourt prospect in America right now. Given that he’s shown signs he could develop into a threat as a jump shooter too, coaches are betting that they can help to turn the 4-star prospect into a high-level college player,” Bossi added.
Wilson averaged 10.1 points a game his freshman season at Georgia Highlands on 54% shooting. He made 30.8% of his threes and 52.4% of his free throws. He also pulled down 7.6 rebounds a game.
“He’s even had NBA teams inquiring about him,” Bossi wrote of Wilson, who has been offered scholarships by 44 schools including KU, Kansas State, Memphis, West Virginia, Maryland, Alabama, Arizona State, Georgia, Mississippi, Oregon,Texas A&M, Iona and others.
“To come so far so fast is pretty incredible. His recruitment and development as a player will be as interesting to watch as any prospect in the country,” Bossi noted.
Wilson did not play high school basketball because of a medical condition. He will have two years of eligibility at a major college after this season.
“Coach (Jerrance) Howard had reached out to me and I was in shock,” he told jayhawkslant.com in referring to his Aug. 27 scholarship offer from KU. “Coach (Bill) Self had called me as we were on the phone and it was just crazy speaking to coach Self. We were talking about positions and playing on the court and I stopped him, respectfully, and told him that I just wanted to get on the floor.
“I just told coach Self that I wanted to be able to play basketball,” Wilson added. “He had stopped me after I said that and told me that what I had said earned me a scholarship offer from Kansas. He offered me a scholarship at that point.
“It was just kind of crazy, because Kansas is a blueblood school, me not playing high school basketball and things like that.
“I was at a loss for words for a long period of time,” he continued. “I called my coach and had tears in my eyes. I called my dad and I was balling and crying after the scholarship offer from Kansas. Not just because of the school itself, but also because of the level of basketball and being recognized at that level.”
Wilson told jayhawkslant.com he would like to make some campus visits before choosing a school. But that may or may not be possible because of the ongoing pandemic.
“It’s something that I would like to do,” he said of visiting KU.
Of his future on the court, he said to testudotimes.com: “The name of the game nowadays is position-less basketball and versatility. Being one of those players who can move to different spots is great. It’s what a lot of people are looking for and I’m glad people are able to recognize that I’m a versatile basketball player.”
NBA talk regarding Wilson
Wilson has been compared to NBA players at this stage of his career.
“A lot of the NBA comparisons that I’ve heard and a lot of people that I like to watch and break down film of, definitely Brandon Ingram (6-7, New Orleans Pelicans) — just someone at my size and my weight that has a freakishly outlandish skillset. He can do a lot of different things,” Wilson told jayhawkslant.com. “I also love watching Derrick Jones (6-6 Miami Heat), who is from Chester, Pa., which is not far from where I grew up. I got the chance to watch him in high school, when he played against my high school.
“He doesn’t really get a lot of credit for how smart he is, being from Miami when they go small, you can put him at the 5 (center),” he continued. “He can guard the 5-man, but can also guard and play off switches. He is extremely athletic and can knock down shots. I also love watching Christian Wood (6-11, Detroit Pistons), who is really athletic, gets to his spots, finishes above the rim, and can also knock down open shots.”
Mark Mitchell a popular recruit
Kansas City native Mark Mitchell, a 6-8, 190-pound junior small forward from Bishop Miege, who is ranked No, 12 in the recruiting Class of 2022 by Rivals.com, has been offered by KU, Kansas State, Missouri, North Carolina, Arkansas, Texas, UCLA, USC, Oklahoma State and others.
“I’ve had the opportunity to see Mitchell this summer. Since we both live in Kansas City, I’ve seen him at various events around town. At 6-8 he has really hit his stride as a mismatch combo forward who simply doesn’t get sped up by others and who always produces,” wrote Eric Bossi of Rivals.com. “His nickname is ‘EZ’ and you can see why. He played as well as anybody in camp (at recent event in Wichita) and backed up his lofty ranking.”
Mitchell averaged 21.6 points and 8.7 rebounds as a sophomore at Bishop Miege. He attended USA Basketball’s Junior National Team minicamp last year.
“I get a lot of calls and things all of the time. I’m just taking my time with it and not rushing through the process,” Mitchell said of recruiting in an interview with Tar Heel Illustrated. “I’m just hearing everybody out. I’m not even close to making a decision or cutting a list or anything. I’m just hearing everybody out and seeing what everybody has to offer.’
Clark to take break from interviews
Skyy Clark, a 6-2 junior point guard sensation from Brentwood Academy in Nashville, Tennessee, who is ranked No. 16 in the recruiting Class of 2022 by Rivals.com but may switch to the Class of 2021, has decided to take a break from media interviews as he ponders his college choices.
Last week, he added KU and DePaul to his list of eight schools. Others on his list: Kentucky, North Carolina, Memphis, Tennessee State, Michigan, UCLA, Oregon and USC.
“I will be taking a break from any college/recruiting interviews, podcasts, etc. as making this decision is extremely consuming at times. it’s a major life decision and i need to take time to really pray about this decision. Thank you to everyone who supports my journey,” Clark wrote Monday night on Twitter.
Clark averaged 25.5 points and 4.2 assists as a sophomore at Heritage Christian High School in Los Angeles before transferring to Brentwood Academy.
Tom Jernstedt remembered
KU coach Bill Self has issued a statement following the death of fellow Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer Tom Jernstedt.
Jernstedt died last weekend at the age of 75.
Known as the “Father of the Final Four,” Jernstedt worked for the NCAA from 1972 to 2011. He was instrumental in helping the NCAA increase its television contract from $1 million to $10 billion.
A former president of USA Basketball, Jernstedt was inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame as a contributor in 2017.
“So sad to hear of passing of Tom Jernstedt. So humble but those in our sport understood the influence he’s had on our game. First class in every way. Our best to his beautiful family,” Self wrote on Twitter.
This story was originally published September 8, 2020 at 9:18 AM with the headline "Juco forward Langston Wilson, who’s considering KU, is lighting up the recruiting scene."
