Self Reacts: On Thursday, the National Association of Basketball Coaches said it strongly opposed oral commitments from students who have yet to complete their sophomore year of high school.

“I agree with the fact that freshman year is a little early,” Self said. “A lot of it’s not the coaches that are spurring this on. A lot of it is parents and recruits that get impatient. But I agree that they should at least get through their freshman and sophomore years.”

Self said even if a rule is passed to prevent recruits from committing before their junior years, it would be difficult to make sure schools follow the guideline.

Besides the fact that younger recruits won’t have much of an “academic resume before pulling the trigger” Self said it’s also beneficial for schools to wait in order to get a better idea what kind of players they will be.

“LeBron (James), you would know. There’s a few that you would know,” Self said. “O.J. (Mayo), you would know. But there’s not very many guys like that. I think it’s probably a safer play for the kid and also for the schools.”

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Early to rise: KU coach Self spoke at 610 Sports radio’s Breakfast series bright and early at 6:30 a.m., Friday, at Hilton President Hotel in Kansas City, Mo. He fielded questions from the fans in attendance – questions relayed to host Roger Twibell.

Self told the gathering he believed he could use Paul Pierce’s winning the 2008 NBA championship with the Boston Celtics as a positive in recruiting.

“I think there’s a pretty good chance it’ll be mentioned from time to time,” Self cracked. “We certainly have the opportunity to talk about a lot of greats here (at KU).

“Paul is one of the best 10 to 15 players in the world. The other thing is … Wayne Simien won a ring three years ago (with Miami Heat). Jacque (Vaughn) won his last year (with San Antonio). Paul and Scot won theirs this year.”

Indeed, Scot Pollard, who did not play in the postseason because of injury, also nets an NBA title ring with the Celtics.

“How many programs can say they’ve had world champions the past three years? That’s pretty nice,” Self said.

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Summer League: The Kansas City Pro-Am is off to a rousing start.

A standing room only crowd of 1,500 watched The Hawks beat Team Lue and NBA guard Chauncey Billups, 116-80, Friday at Penn Valley CC’s Pohlman Fieldhouse.

Former KU guard Nick Bradford scored 20 points, while current Jayhawks Cole Aldrich scored 18, Mario Little 17, Tyshawn Taylor 11 and Tyrel Reed four for the winners.

Former Colorado standout Billups of the Detroit Pistons scored 11 points and former Nebraska great Tyronn Lue of the Dallas Mavericks eight for Team Lue.

Current KU guards Reed and Taylor took turns guarding Billups of the Detroit Pistons.

“The KU guards did well on him. Everybody had their chance,” said league vice president Eric Stamps. “It was more a pick-up game for Chauncey. He didn’t play like it was an NBA game, of course. It was a great opening night. The KU guys helped the night; Chauncey helped make the night great.”

In the other game, former KU player Billy Thomas had 15 points in Fadeaway’s 93-81 win against Wolves Klub.

League play continues Monday at Penn Valley CC.