David Padgett and Roy Williams soon may be reunited.

Padgett, who signed a letter of intent with the Kansas University basketball team his senior year of high school, never played for Williams, who left KU for North Carolina. On Wednesday, Padgett was granted a release to speak to the UNC coach about a possible transfer.

The 6-foot-11 Padgett, who has visited UCLA and Louisville since announcing his decision to leave KU on April 15, did not have UNC on his original list of transfer possibilities.

“When David told us he was leaving … after a week we decided we would release David to the schools he told us he was interested in. North Carolina was not one of those schools until this past week,” KU coach Bill Self said Wednesday.

Self said he learned of Padgett’s interest in UNC — and Williams’ interest in Padgett — last “Thursday or Friday” and had spoken to Williams twice about the matter.

“I can say Carolina and the Padgett family both requested a release be sent to Carolina to allow them permission to speak to David,” Self said.

“Initially, it was requested through the athletic director’s office, but after visiting with Lew (Perkins, KU athletic director) I made the decision to release David to any school he was interested in.”

Back in mid-April, Self said “it would be very disappointing” if UNC decided to pursue Padgett.

“I don’t want to retract my quote,”

Self said, “but at the time I said I’d be disappointed if he looked at Carolina, I did state that knowing at that time I would be disappointed with whatever school David selected because we were obviously disappointed he was leaving.

6Sports video: KU grants Padgett release to talk to UNC KU aide Miller hired at SW Missouri State #44 David Padgett

“That being said, I will not go into any details concerning any schools.”

Self was asked if he wanted Padgett to pick UNC.

“I don’t have an opinion on what I’d like to see happen,” Self said. “I’m neutral on his recruitment because, to be honest with you, I can’t worry about things I have no control over. We were fortunate enough to be able to sign two guys late after David said he’d be leaving. I feel we used up David’s scholarship, and he should be able to attend whatever school he chooses.

“David is going to be a very good player. We wish him the best whatever school he chooses.”

Padgett’s dad, Pete, who was asked if Carolina seeking permission at this late date meant Carolina was the leader, said: “I have no idea about any of it.”

Asked if his son would decide soon, Pete said: “I have no idea on any of it. I’m afraid I can’t be of much help to you.”

Pete Padgett told the Los Angeles Daily News on Tuesday that a decision likely would be reached by the end of this week.

• Column questioned: The Seattle Post-Intelligencer ran a guest column from a sports radio personality Wednesday questioning new KU assistant coach Kurtis Townsend’s success in recruiting four players from Seattle’s Rainier Beach High, including future Jayhawk C.J. Giles.

The column didn’t list any specific allegations against Townsend, who never has run afoul of the NCAA, but implied the coach had been involved in wrongdoing in the past.

“People will believe what they want to believe. We did not hire Kurtis to get C.J.,” Self said this week. “At Kansas, you don’t hire a guy to get a player. I don’t think we could do any better than with Kurtis. He’s the perfect hire.”

Of the column, Self said: “There were facts far off. It said Kurtis recruited players to California and violations occurred during the recruitment. Kurtis was a part-time assistant coach at California his entire time there. He was never allowed to recruit. He also was retained by Ben Braun when a coaching change occurred because Ben Braun obviously thought highly enough of him to retain him from a staff where allegations did occur from the head coach.

“It was an article obviously slanted to, I’m sure, question why so many recruits from Rainier Beach are not staying home and going somewhere else.”

• Recruiting: If ex-Jayhawk David Padgett does attend North Carolina, it might help KU land Tyler Hansbrough, a 6-9, 230-pound junior from Poplar Bluff, Mo., who will visit North Carolina this weekend. Hansbrough is down to KU, UNC, Kentucky and Missouri. It’s unlikely he would attend the same school as Padgett because they play the same position.