One of the top high school power forwards on the East Coast will make his official recruiting visit to Kansas University today through Sunday morning.

He’s Quintrell Thomas, a 6-foot-8, 225-pound senior inside force from St. Patrick High School in Elizabeth, N.J.

“College coaches like his toughness, his strength,” said Derrick Bobbitt, coach of Thomas’ AAU team – New Jersey Elite. “He’s athletic, a very good rebounder, an excellent shooter to 17-feet, strong and can get to the rim. He has only one way – hard.”

Thomas, who played football as a youth, took up basketball just five years ago.

“He didn’t really like basketball. He’s not even watched a lot of basketball,” Bobbitt said. “He has loads of potential.”

Thomas – he averaged about nine points and seven rebounds as a junior for 30-2 St. Patrick – has a final four of KU, Maryland, Rutgers and Nevada-Las Vegas. The plan is to visit UNLV next weekend, then meet with family members as well as AAU coach Bobbitt and St. Patrick coach Kevin Boyle and finalize a decision.

“He is excited about this trip – the fact he really doesn’t know what to expect out of Kansas,” Bobbitt said. “Most of our kids out here think of the plains and the middle of nowhere. Actually it’s a pretty nice spot. I’ve been there.”

Of KU’s chances of landing Thomas, Bobbitt said: “I think their chances are good, for the fact that Kansas is Kansas, one of the top five programs. It’s a great place to play, great tradition, a town that loves basketball, a great coach who is very likable. They develop players, have great alumni support. There’s nothing bad to say about Kansas.

“And they have a void they need to fill as far as bigs for ’08. He fits the mold of what they need.”

Thomas, who lives in Newark, N.J., also has intangibles a school like KU would relish, Bobbitt said.

“He comes from a great high school program,” Bobbitt said. “He’s a very smart kid, knows what is going on in the world. He has great character.”

Rivals.com recruiting analyst Shay Wildeboor says Thomas, who is not currently ranked in the top 150, figures to be there at season’s end.

“He’s one of those New York, New Jersey kids that brings toughness to the court,” Wildeboor said. “He’s tough-nosed, hard-working.

“He’s come so far in five years. It’s a testament to his work ethic and ability to improve that he could get schools like Kansas, Maryland and many others to notice him after playing the game a short period of time.”

¢ Late Night details: KU’s Late Night in the Phog will run from 6:45 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 12 in Allen Fieldhouse. Admission is free. Doors will open at 6 p.m. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Fans are encouraged to bring nonperishable food items, which KU’s athletic department will donate to local food pantries. Children 12 and under will not be admitted without an adult, and the Fieldhouse doors will be closed when the arena reaches capacity.

This year’s Late Night will include an appearance by NFL Hall of Famer John Riggins, whose name will be added to KU’s Ring of Honor at the KU-Baylor football game Saturday, Oct. 13.