It’ll take a long time to introduce Kansas University’s men’s basketball newcomers at this year’s “Late Night in the Phog.”

A whopping six players have been added to the roster. Bill Self’s sensational sextet has been ranked the No. 2 class in the country (behind Kentucky) by rivals.com.

“I think it has a chance to be the best class we’ve ever had,” Self said of his group of perimeter players Alex Galindo and Russell Robinson and big men C.J. Giles, Darnell Jackson, Alexander Kaun and walk-on Matt Kleinmann.

“It’s one of the best classes we’ve had on paper, but you don’t play the games on paper,” he quickly added. “I think they can be great players at Kansas. I think they can be impact guys.”

Here’s a look at KU’s newcomers:

Alex Galindo, 6-7, 200, Mayaguez, Puerto Rico (ranked No. 45 nationally insiders.com; 65 rivals.com)

Galindo, who arrived in the U.S. two years ago, playing two seasons for St. Benedict’s Prep in Newark, N.J., chose KU over Pitt, Rutgers and Georgetown.

He signed with UTEP last November, asking out of his letter of intent when coach Billy Gillispie bolted for Texas A&M.

“Alex is an excellent shooter with range and also has a great feel for the game,” Self said of Galindo, who averaged 18 points per game last season. “He’s big enough to play with a small lineup, but he’s certainly a true perimeter player.”

Galindo is ready to fill in wherever needed, fully realizing KU is stacked on the perimeter with Aaron Miles, Keith Langford, J.R. Giddens, Michael Lee and others.

“I see myself playing a lot of positions and shooting threes,” Galindo said, “but I’ll play wherever coach wants me to play.”

Alexander Kaun, 6-11, 250, Tomsk, Russia (insiders.com ranking 28; rivals.com 34)

Freshman C.J. Giles -- with coach Bill Self - along with Matt Kleinmann and Darnell Jackson make up half of Kansas' touted incoming class.

Kaun, who averaged 15.3 points and 12.6 rebounds at Florida Air Academy in Melbourne, Fla., chose Kansas over Duke and Michigan State.

“I was very impressed with the quality of their academics as well as their basketball program, and I really like the coaching staff. I know I can learn a lot from coach Self,” Kaun said.

Self thinks the powerful big man can rule the paint once he gains experience.

“Sasha, in our opinion, is one of the very best big men in America,” Self said of the Class of 2004. “He just started playing basketball his 10th-grade year. He comes from a very disciplined background at Florida Air Academy, where he really understands what it’s like to get up and go to work everyday.

“I believe in time Sasha can be a player that can go down as one of the best big men in recent Kansas history.”

C.J. Giles, 6-10, 235, Seattle (insiders.com ranking 59; rivals.com 62)

Giles, who averaged 17.0 points, 12 rebounds and six blocks last year for Rainier Beach High, chose KU over Washington and Cincinnati.

He signed with the University of Miami in November, but opted out of his letter of intent after coach Perry Clark was fired.

Freshmen Matt Kleinmann, left, and Darnell Jackson - along with C.J. Giles -- make up half of Kansas' touted incoming class.

“I went with Kansas because it was the best fit for me. I love the tradition,” said Giles, whose dad, Chester, played for KU coach Ted Owens and whose mom, Gail Goodwin, played for KU coach Marian Washington in the 1970s.

Self, who likes Giles’ athleticism and shot-blocking ability to go with his ability to score, is thrilled the son of a former player has signed on with KU.

“An injury Chester’s senior year prohibited him from playing to his potential,” Self said. “Now his son has a chance to do great things at a place he has a great love for. He is an outstanding athlete and great young man.”

Darnell Jackson, 6-9, 240, Midwest City, Okla. (rivals.com ranking 54; insiders.com 62)

Jackson, who averaged 12 points and 12 boards at Midwest City High, chose KU over Oklahoma, Illinois and Purdue.

Jackson, who started playing basketball in the ninth grade, is known as a relentless rebounder who is still a bit raw offensively.

“Darnell has a great body, and he has an unbelievable upside,” Self said. “He can run, he can jump. He’s very coachable, and he’s very eager to learn. I think Darnell is the type of player — with the way that we play — could be an inside force for us over the next several years.”

Jackson committed to KU in July of 2003.

“I’ve loved Kansas ever since I first visited there,” said Jackson, who attended the last two Late Night With Roy Williams on unofficial recruiting trips. “I love coach Self and the way he coaches. When he left Illinois and went to Kansas, it was a great match.”

Of his game, he said: “I love to crash the boards, run the floor and do what it takes to win the game.”

Russell Robinson, 6-2, 187, New York City (rivals.com ranking 27; insiders.com 32)

Robinson, who averaged 22 points and eight rebounds his senior year at Rice High, chose KU over Georgia Tech, UConn, St. John’s and Kentucky.

He’s known as a deep-shooting threat with point-guard dribbling and passing skills.

“Russell is a combination guard that can score, but can also handle the point. The thing I like most about him is his tenacity,” Self said. “He’s tough, he can really, really defend, and he could be a stopper-type defender. He was probably as valuable a player to his team (Gauchos, AAU) as any player was in America in summer basketball.”

Robinson was firmly committed to KU even after assistant Norm Roberts, who had played a major role in recruiting him, opted to take the head coaching position at St. John’s

“Coach Self says I will be a ‘scoring point guard,”’ Robinson said. “I would say I am a player who can get out and defend, score, run the point and play two-guard. I’ve got range. Defense is big for me. I am an intense player who can guard smaller players.”

In one sense, Robinson is a rarity.

“This is the first time Kansas has gotten a New York recruit in a long time. I’m excited. My goal is to come there to win a championship.”

Matt Kleinmann, 6-10, 230, Overland Park

Kleinmann, who averaged 14 points and nine boards at Blue Valley West last year off 65 percent shooting, declined a scholarship offer from NCAA Tournament entry Pacific to walk on at KU.

The first-team all-East Kansas League selection also received interest from William and Mary, Yale, South Florida, Valparaiso, UNC Wilmington, Purdue and Texas Tech.

Kleinmann carries a perfect grade-point average of 4.0 and has been accepted to KU’s school of architecture.

“Most everybody would be thrilled just being a part of the basketball team at a program like KU, which is first-class where they do everything right and go the extra mile. I’m thrilled with the academics at KU, too,” Kleinmann said.

“I’m coming in knowing there are no promises, no guarantees. That’s what appeals to me. There’s a challenge involved. It’s something I can work toward, rather than at Pacific where I might be the next big guy or the starter.”