Bill Self to visit nation’s top-ranked preps

Julius Randle and Jabari Parker — the Nos. 1- and 2-rated high school basketball prospects in the country by Rivals.com — are playing host to Kansas University basketball coach Bill Self this week.

Self on Wednesday visited top-ranked Randle, a 6-foot-9, 240-pound power forward from Prestonwood Christian Academy in Plano, Texas. Randle has a list of KU, Baylor, Duke, Florida, Kentucky, North Carolina, North Carolina State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Texas.

Kentucky coach John Calipari visited Randle earlier this week.

“There are a few coaches that Julius is willing to confide in, and that he reaches out to with questions,” Prestonwood coach Chris Mayberry told Rivals.com. “But, I think that Calipari is by far the one that Julius is most comfortable with. Comfort in his recruitment is going to be huge, so I think that’s great that Julius and John (Calipari) have that type of early relationship.”

On Friday, Self will travel to Chicago to visit the home of No. 2-ranked Parker, a 6-8, 220-pound power forward from Simeon High.

Florida coach Billy Donovan on Tuesday visited Parker, who is considering KU, Florida, Brigham Young, DePaul, Duke, Georgetown, Kentucky, Michigan State, North Carolina and Stanford.

“I am looking for how the coaches explain their style of play to Jabari,” Sonny Parker, Jabari’s dad and high school coach, told ESPN.com. “I want to see how the coaches are going to set up a player of Jabari’s size and talent so he can handle the ball on the break and in the half court. Jabari needs to be allowed to make plays.”

Of Parker, ESPN’s Reggie Rankin wrote: “He has the ability to rebound, lead the break, come off screens, pick and pop to drive or shoot the three. Not to mention, if his defender is smaller than him, he will attack from the low post, where he has the feel, moves and footwork of an NBA veteran and the basketball IQ to go with it.”

Both Parker and Randle are expected to sign in the spring.