There was a time over the last few years where the NCAA investigation hovering over Kansas was affecting Bill Self’s ability to recruit. That cloud seems to have passed as he has got his groove back with the 2022 class. Ernest Udeh, a top 30 player in the 2022 class has committed to Kansas giving them their fourth commitment all of which are top 50 players. Udeh gives them three inside the top 35 according to 247Sports and they currently sit as the third-best class for 2022 so far.
Udeh gives them a center to possibly replace David McCormick who is a senior but does have an extra year of eligibility because of Covid. He’s already built solidly as a high school senior which should make the transition much easier for Udeh. It’s been tough for freshman bigs to get big minutes under Bill Self but the minutes should be there if he can prove his worth on the defensive end and understand the offense which can be complicated for all freshmen to grasp at Kansas.
#KUbball lands another Class of 2022 commitment – 4-star big man Ernest Udeh Jr. makes it official. pic.twitter.com/zxfpa5D3K1
— Matt Tait (@mctait) October 20, 2021
In Ernest Udeh, the Jayhawks are getting a big man whose body is ready-made for college basketball and has easily translatable skills to the next level. He’s a big man who knows his role as a rim runner and rebounder. He’s not an elite rim protector but is known as someone who is a quality shot blocker. Rebounding is where Udeh makes his bones though, especially on the offensive end where he is a menace at creating extra shots for his teams. Udeh could ultimately become what Self hoped Cliff Alexander and Cheick Diallo would become for his teams. Alexander lacked Diallo’s motor while Diallo lacked Alexander’s strength. Udeh isn’t as highly rated as those two but may have the best qualities of each which could translate to a guy able to get early minutes.
