Kansas University’s basketball coaches weren’t the only ones talking – make that yelling – during preseason Boot Camp conditioning workouts.

Some players, eager to replace graduating seniors Aaron Miles, Michael Lee, Wayne Simien and Keith Langford as team leaders, also opened their mouths, encouraging and scolding their teammates more than once.

Who led the way? Depends on whom you ask.

“If there was a leader now, I would say it would be Jeremy Case,” sophomore guard Rodrick Stewart said of Case, a third-year sophomore from McAlester, Okla. “He was vocal, making sure everybody was positive in running, going to class, showing up in the mornings, pushing everybody in the weight room.”

Freshman guard Julian Wright tapped elder statesman Christian Moody as Boot Camp leader.

“Nobody works harder than Christian,” Wright said of the senior forward from Asheville, N.C. “The older guys like Christian … you can see dedication on their faces. At Boot Camp, the way they push themselves, you want to work that much harder.”

The only seniors on this year’s team are Moody, Stephen Vinson and Jeff Hawkins.

“I’ve been here four years, and we’ve got three other seniors counting Moulaye,” Moody said, including Moulaye Niang, who has retired because of a bad back but still will be involved with the team as a student assistant.

“If I can be a leader among the big guys, I think it’ll help our team,” Moody said. “If I can help push a freshman in certain drills, sprints, it’ll make the team better. I’ll try to help the younger guys in any way I can.”

KU coach Bill Self agreed Moody was one candidate to lead.

“Hawk (Hawkins) could; Christian can, although he is not vocal,” Self said. “Stephen is the most vocal of the seniors. There’s no juniors.

“Russell has the potential to be a good leader. He is quiet,” Self added of sophomore guard Russell Robinson.

As far as freshmen Mario Chalmers, Micah Downs, Brandon Rush and Julian Wright, Self said, “Julian has the most potential to be a good leader because he’s not scared of his own voice. Until those guys get out here and do it, they won’t have the confidence to lead. They’ve got to prove themselves first.”

As always, the coaches will be on hand to lead the way.

“The concern will be before the season is over that the coaches don’t have to be the leader,” Self said. “I think the coaches will have to be the leaders of this team probably more than any team I’ve had, which is OK.”

¢ Miles excelling: Former KU point guard Aaron Miles has been impressive at Golden State Warriors workouts.

“He’s fundamentally sound,” Warriors coach Mike Montgomery told the Contra Costa Times. “He’s not backing off at all. He runs the team. I think he’s been a surprise, just his poise coming into camp.”

The Warriors have scoring point guards in Baron Davis, Derek Fisher and Monta Ellis. Miles could make the squad because of his ability to pass and lead an offense.

“He’s been well-coached, having Roy Williams and Bill Self,” Montgomery said. “They put him in position where he understands how to do things.”

¢ UNC commitment?: North Carolina may be close to landing a commitment from Alex Stepheson, a 6-foot-11, 215-pound senior forward/center from Studio City, Calif., who today will announce either UNC or UConn. Landing Stepheson likely would affect UNC’s pursuit of Darrell Arthur, 6-9 from Dallas, who Friday will visit KU for Late Night in the Phog. Arthur is considering KU, UNC, Indiana, SMU, Baylor and Texas.