Before family, friends and teammates at Loyola High School,
nationally-ranked basketball prospect Omar Wilkes announced his
verbal commitment to Kansas University over UCLA Wednesday for the
2003-2004 season.
“My gut feeling told me Kansas, and I’m happy with
my decision,” he said.
After making his announcement, Wilkes displayed a pencil sketch
of himself wearing a No. 5 Kansas jersey, before donning his KU
cap. Both of these were welcomed with laughter and applause.
The Jayhawks were on a short list that also included UCLA and
Cal. In the end, Wilkes only went on his own advice.
Wilkes’ father Jamal, a standout player with UCLA and the
Los Angeles Lakers, did not pressure his son to stay home for
school. He was thrilled with the decision.
“Omar was blessed to have great options and I’m
proud of his choice,” his father said at the conference.
“We trust (Kansas head) coach (Roy) Williams with our
son.”
Wilkes is one of Los Angeles’ top prospects in basketball.
In his junior year, he averaged 22 points, six rebounds and six
assists per game.
He is also a McDonald’s All-American candidate who should
excel in this, his senior year. But he will not be sharing his
skills in Westwood.
“UCLA was coming on strong to me, but I had to go with my
heart,” he said.
“I’ve had a great fit at Kansas and a great rapport.
I also built nice relationships with the players.”
Wilkes’ press conference was hyped with much anticipation.
It was the first high school commitment to be broadcast live on the
Internet. The Rico Cabrera group, LLC, prepared a media advisory
with the theme, “Could it be like father like
son??”
But Wilkes will not follow in his father’s footsteps. He
may grow up to be as good of a basketball player like Jamal, but
not as a Bruin.
Ңbull;Ӣbull;Ӣbull;
In other UCLA recruiting news, the Daily News reported that
Brian Morrison is coming back to UCLA after pulling out less than a
week ago.
Morrison originally transferred from North Carolina as a
walk-on, then the Seattle native briefly went home, enrolling at
Washington. But he said he has been guaranteed a scholarship at
UCLA, and will begin classes on Thursday.