Former Jayhawk Padgett impressed with Pitino

David Padgett is ready to get on with his life at the University of Louisville.

“Ever since I said I wasn’t coming back, it’s been crazy, just because it’s felt like the recruiting process all over again,” said the 6-foot-11 Padgett, who on April 15 announced he was leaving Kansas University’s basketball team and Sunday declared he was headed to the Kentucky school.

“I’m really glad it’s over with now, so I didn’t have to worry anymore.”

Padgett chose Louisville over runner-up UCLA. North Carolina received permission to talk to Padgett late last week, but the Tar Heels never became a serious option.

“I was just really impressed with coach (Rick) Pitino,” Padgett told the Louisville Courier-Journal. “He’s one of the best coaches in the country.

“I was impressed with the success he’s had with his players and how much he actually works himself for the players … And they have nice facilities, and that didn’t hurt. Their dorm facility is pretty amazing, locker rooms and other things. It’s pretty amazing what he (Pitino) has done at Louisville so far.”

Padgett in April said he left KU because he wanted the opportunity to play power forward instead of center. Sunday, he said then-KU coach Roy Williams’ departure to UNC was a huge factor.

“I went there to play for someone, and the person I went to play for wasn’t there,” Padgett said. “It just didn’t work out. I think I’ll fit in really well with his system, and (Pitino) told me he thinks I’ll thrive in it. One of the good things is that you’re not strictly down low or not strictly outside. You have to be versatile.”

He admitted it was tough completing the semester in hoops-crazy Lawrence after announcing he was leaving the program.

“Staying in Kansas wasn’t easy after I left the team, but I got through it,” he said. “It definitely hasn’t been easy to make a decision, especially since I got to know some coaches I didn’t know before, and you get attached and it’s hard to say no. But I took a lot of time to think about it, and on Thursday or Friday I told my parents that I really wanted Louisville. It was just a feeling. It felt right.”

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Williams to visit Tuesday: Terrence Williams, a 6-foot-7, 205-pound senior-to-be from Seattle’s Rainier Beach High, will visit KU Tuesday through Thursday, the timing of the visit coinciding with coach Bill Self’s hoops camp. Williams, a teammate of future Jayhawk C.J. Giles, has also visited Indiana. He’s expected to choose KU, Indiana or Louisville in coming weeks.

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Hansbrough on UNC visit: Tyler Hansbrough, a 6-9, 220-pound senior-to-be from Poplar Bluff, Mo., told rivals.com he had “a great visit” to North Carolina over the weekend.

“My dad had a great time as well. I am going to go home and sort everything out and decide if it is time to make a final decision or wait a little longer.”

Hansbrough told rivals he hit golf balls with Roy Williams, and his dad had a chance to jog with Williams. Some recruiting gurus have speculated Carolina may have soured on the possibility of recruiting ex-Jayhawk Padgett because of the possibility Hansbrough was headed to UNC. Hansbrough has a final list of KU, UNC and Kentucky.