Kansas University basketball recruiting

Chicago — Thon Maker, a 7-foot senior center from Orangeville Prep in Mono, Ontario, who attended Friday’s KU-Northern Colorado game on an unofficial recruiting visit, has set his first official visit for Arizona State in late January, his guardian, Ed Smith, told Zagsblog.com.

Maker has a list of KU, ASU, Kentucky, Indiana, Notre Dame and St. John’s. He is planning official visits to KU and Notre Dame.

“As the season goes on, that’s what we look forward to do,” Maker told Zagsblog.com. “Last year I got a chance to take a few visits on the road so I really want to do something like that again. I know I’ll definitely take a few, if not all my officials on the road also, but I don’t know any particular dates.”

Smith commented to Zagsblog.com on Maker’s interest in KU. “For Thon it’s intriguing to see how the frontline shapes up, who stays, and how things play out with Cheick (Diallo, not yet cleared for participation by NCAA).

“Cheick is such a good kid and it was hard for Thon to watch him sit because they’ve battled in the past and both chase the same dream of playing in the NBA.”

More news and notes from Kansas vs. Michigan State

• Jayhawks can’t stop Denzel Valentine, fall to Michigan State
• Column: KU fails to get Perry Ellis enough shots in first loss
• Notebook: KU band doesn’t travel to Champions Classic
• MSU’s Valentine joins good company with great night
• Thon Maker intrigued by KU
• Bill Self, Tom Izzo go way back
• Perry Ellis makes Wooden preseason top 50
• Keegan Ratings: Perry Ellis best scorer for KU on rough shooting night