Wooden makes commitment to Arizona State

Free State's senior forward makes early decision to play basketball for Sun Devils next season

Keith Wooden liked what he saw, and he liked whom he met.

That was enough for the Free State High senior to orally commit to Arizona State University’s basketball program on Sunday night.

Wooden

Wooden, a 6-foot-9, 220-pound forward, chose the Sun Devils after a home visit by coach Rob Evans last week. Wooden had already visited the ASU campus in Tempe, Ariz., but the coach’s demeanor during his visit cemented the decision.

“I like coach Evans and feel real comfortable with that,” Wooden said. “It seemed like the right thing to do. He has a family structure going with the school and I like that. He focuses a lot on academics in the basketball program.”

Wooden will make his choice official during the national signing period, which starts Nov. 6. He still must qualify academically. He’s taken the ACT once, but needs to improve his score six points for the necessary 21.

His mother, Christy, said he’ll take the ACT and SAT again. She couldn’t be prouder of her son, even if he will be more than 1,400 miles away.

“He’s my oldest child,” she said. “I’d liked for him to stay here a few more years. I wasn’t ready for him to be so far away from home, but I feel real comfortable with where he’s going. Coach Evans is really nice.”

Part of the attraction came with the attention ASU coaches paid Wooden. Firebirds’ coach Jack Schreiner, who’s seen him blossom from spindly sophomore to an imposing presence in the paint, told Wooden that attention was critical.

“Arizona State had been with Keith the whole time,” Schreiner said. “They said, you are our No. 1 recruit at this position, which I thought was very important.”

Wooden, an All-Sunflower League selection last year, shot 62.7 percent from the field, averaged 16.6 points and 8.6 rebounds a game to lead the 10-11 Firebirds. His 623 career points in two years set a school record.

Wooden’s skills intrigued Kansas, and coach Roy Williams and aide Joe Holladay met with Wooden and his mother last summer.

“I know KU was interested somewhat,” Schreiner said. “I really think Keith just wanted to get away.”