Recruits take in KU hoops atmosphere

Four of the top senior high school basketball players in the country sat behind the Kansas University bench viewing the proceedings at Friday’s Late Night in the Phog in Allen Fieldhouse.

Recruits in the house were No. 3-rated Xavier Henry, 6-foot-6, 210 pounds from Putnam City (Okla.) High; No. 11 Michael Snaer, 6-4, 185 from Rancho Verde High in Moreno Valley, Calif.; No. 16 Dominic Cheek, 6-6, 170 from St. Anthony High in Jersey City, N.J.; and No. 27 Elijah Johnson, 6-2, 183 from Cheyenne High in Las Vegas.

Snaer and Johnson shot jumpers on the fieldhouse court Friday afternoon before the fans entered for Late Night.

Recruits who attended on unofficial visits: Class of 2010 – Harrison Barnes, 6-6, Ames (Iowa) High; Ray McCallum, 6-1, Detroit Country Day High. Class of 2011 – Bradley Beal, 6-3, St. Louis Chaminade High; Christian Kirk, 6-7, St. Charles (Mo.) West High. Class of 2012 – Perry Ellis, 6-8, Wichita Heights.

Henry’s parents, former KU players Carl Henry and Barbara Adkins, sat a few rows behind their son. One of Henry’s former teammates, Calvin Thompson, sat in the same row as the Henrys.

KU junior Sherron Collins said the recruits had to be impressed.

“I committed after coming to Late Night,” Chicago native Collins said. “The crowd sold me. The atmosphere sold me. There’s no Late Night out there that would top this tonight. We have great fans. We have fans from all over the country who come here to support us. We are on (fall) break, no students are here, and still it’s full tonight,” he added of 16,300 fans.

“It shows how much people care. Our crowd … that’s one thing guys miss out on who don’t come here.”

Appleton day-to-day

KU junior guard Tyrone Appleton danced at Late Night, but didn’t perform in the scrimmage. He’s listed day-to-day with a hip flexor injury.

Orlando Magic dancers in house entertaining

The Orlando Magic dancers, as well as Magic mascot “Stuff,” performed at Late Night. The NBA team’s dancers bounced off trampolines during an entertaining dunk drill.

Full house on hand

Fans stood in line as early as 8:30 a.m. outside the fieldhouse Friday, KU officials indicated. Doors opened at 5:25 p.m. The fieldhouse was three-fourths full about a half hour later and full by the start of the show at 6:30 p.m.

Self grabs microphone

KU coach Bill Self spoke to the crowd at the start of the men’s portion of Late Night.

“Last year was one of the most storied years in all of Kansas basketball and obviously ended on the highest of notes by us winning it all in San Antonio,” Self said.

“It is hard to look forward – which we have such a bright future – without looking back a bit. How spoiled are we tonight to watch a banner being raised up there this evening.

“Many of you will not know our team at all. I’m having a hard time recognizing all of them, we have so many newcomers.”

Self praises crew after Late Night

Self praised those who produced several videos shown at Late Night, including one of Jayhawks in the NBA.

“Our marketing and video department … it gets no better than that. That’s big-time,” Self lauded.