Bill Self will face a wide range of questions from prospective players and coaches on the recruiting trail this spring and summer.

One such question might concern the style of shoes the Jayhawks will be wearing in the future.

In the Jayhawks’ case, the answer is adidas — the company based in Portland, Ore., that soon will take over as KU’s official athletic-department outfitter.

For years, the Jayhawks have been wearing Nike shoes, including the Air Jordans made popular by basketball legend Michael Jordan.

“I would say going into a lot of situations, kids may want a certain shoe company,” Self said. “They also may want to play in front of certain-sized crowds and go to a place where school colors are potentially a certain deal or where the stadium is potentially new.”

Like Louisville coach Rick Pitino, Self has no problem with KU wearing adidas.

“There’s multiple things kids look at,” Self said. “Shoes are one of them, and maybe one of the bigger ones, but Louisville obviously has been able to do very well with being an adidas school, and I’m sure we will as well.”

The Journal-World on April 1 first reported the switch when adidas contracted to outfit KU’s 17 sports teams, including men’s hoops.

“I think it’ll be fine. I’ve never been with anybody other than Nike,” Self said. “I think the initial reaction is, people are concerned about change, but I think with the commitment adidas is making to us and the University of Kansas, as well, in a short amount of time will offset the potential of uncertainty of us not having Nike.”

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Videoboard still coming: KU’s new videoboard, which is expected to cost in the $4 million range, will be installed during the summer months.

6Sports video: Jayhawks prepare for NBA draft

The board, which has not yet been picked out, will hang in the center of the fieldhouse and show videos and replays, much like the MegaVision at Memorial Stadium.

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Jordan Classic: Incoming KU players Micah Downs and Julian Wright will play in the Jordan Classic tonight at New York’s Madison Square Garden. Tip is 7 p.m., with a live telecast on ESPNU, a channel not yet available on Sunflower Broadband. The replay will be 3 p.m. Sunday on ESPN2, Sunflower Broadband Channel 34.

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Lee’s plans: KU senior Michael Lee reiterated he was not planning to play football for the Jayhawks next season.

“I hope to be playing in Europe somewhere or playing in Kansas City possibly (for ABA’s Knights),” Lee said. “I’ve been working out with coach (Danny) Manning every day and hope I will have some opportunities to play. I don’t want to turn down any options. If I had to predict, I’d say I’ll be playing in Europe somewhere. I’ve heard good things about playing overseas.”

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Hawkins’ defense dandy: KU junior Jeff Hawkins was tapped the team’s top defensive player at Thursday’s awards ceremony following a vote of the players.

“It was a close vote,” Self said. “To be honest, per minute played, Jeff was our best defender creating havoc and locking guys up. I was a little surprised the guys voted Sasha (Kaun) most improved. I thought that would go to Christian (Moody), but it shows what the guys think of Sasha’s improved play.”

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Top agent: KU senior Wayne Simien was asked about choosing Los Angeles-based Leigh Steinberg as his agent. Steinberg, known mostly for his work with NFL players, has negotiated more than $2 billion in contracts since 1992.

“It was just a perfect scenario,” Simien said. “Out of the bunch of agents that had contacted my folks, somehow he’d gotten in there. My parents did a great job helping me sift through those agents. They came to me after the season with a list of the top two or three guys. One of them was Leigh Steinberg. I was able to fly into Orange County and meet in his office. He has a great reputation. He’s a beast in the negotiating room. You might have seen him in Jerry Maguire,” he added with a smile.

Steinberg was a consultant on the movie starring Tom Cruise as a top agent.