Bill Self spent half of June working his basketball camps for youths in Lawrence.

He dedicated all but a handful of days in July evaluating high school seniors and underclassmen at AAU tournaments in Indianapolis; Atlanta; North Augusta, S.C.; Teaneck, N.J.; Orlando, Fla.; Las Vegas and Kansas City.

Yet another summer has flown by quickly for fourth-year Kansas University coach Self, who said, after 12 full seasons as a head coach, he was used to the grind by now.

Is he feeling “burned out?”

“No, no. I am burned out of being away from my family. I’m ready to spend some time with my family,” Self said, accomplishing that last week with some additional down time available before all of his players are required to be back on campus on Aug. 16.

Self shrugged when asked whether the July evaluation period was fruitful for KU.

“I think it went well. It’s still early,” he said. “I feel even though the evaluation period is over, now this is where the real fun stuff begins, trying to get in homes and trying to get guys on campus for visits.”

In-home visits with prep seniors take place in September and October in advance of the early week-long signing period in November.

KU has filled its only on-paper available scholarship in Cole Aldrich, a 6-foot-11 senior from Jefferson High in Bloomington, Minn. However, with Brandon Rush most likely heading to the pros after two seasons and other players on the NBA’s radar, Self plans to sign additional players in November and/or April.

“We’ll still take the approach three (scholarships) are available,” Self said. “We have given one now, and then I do think there’s a great chance we could lose a couple of guys. I think there’s a great percentage of that happening. Not that I’d want anybody to leave. I do believe even if guys stay some won’t play as much (and could transfer). I do think it’d be foolish to not plan on having a couple more available.”

Self has at least received word early that one of his future NBA players – Julian Wright – plans to stay at KU three years in pursuit of landing his communications degree.

“He told me, too, that he’s staying (three years),” Self said of Wright. “Anything can change, but Julian realizes he has a unique opportunity to play on some quality college teams and improve his draft status and readiness (for pro ball). He has an unbelievable chance to earn his degree in three years. He’s taken advantage of summer school, and if he continues at this rate, he will be very close to graduating in three years.”

As far as what players will take the two spots in addition to Aldrich … well, Self can’t comment in accordance with NCAA rules.

It’s apparent he’s recruiting several perimeter players, including Derrick Rose (6-4, Chicago), Kyle Singler (6-8, Medford, Ore.), James Anderson (6-5, Junction City, Ark.), Jerryd Bayless (6-3, Phoenix), P’Allen Stinnett (6-3, Las Vegas) and Tyrel Reed (6-3, Burlington). A forward/center on the radar is Anthony Randolph (6-10, Dallas).

As far as juniors, some names to watch: Travis Releford (6-5, SM Miege), Greg Monroe (6-10, Harvey, La.), Jeff Withey (7-0, San Diego), Steve Moore (6-9, Independence, Mo), Verdell Jones (6-2, Champaign, Ill.), Steve Tchiengang (6-8, Houston), Emmanuel Negedu (6-6, Nigeria), Samardo Samuels (6-9, Newark, N.J.), Darius Gabriel (6-1, New York) and Larry Drew (6-0, Woodland Hills, Calif.).

“Recruiting is just starting,” Self assessed. “Summer is about getting organized. Now we have to go out and do the job.”

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Self on the hiring of former KU forward Chris Piper as color announcer next to Bob Davis in basketball: “We will all miss Max (Falkenstien),” Self said of the announcer who retired after 60 years broadcasting KU sports. “But this is also an exciting time for Chris and for our fans. They will get a different perspective. He is a guy very knowledgeable, and I am happy for him and happy for Max in his retirement. Max will be missed, but there is none better than Chris to replace him.”