photo by: Journal-World Illustration

University of Kansas basketball recruiting

If this week winds up being known as the prime time to schedule official visits to Kansas, consider four-star Class of 2019 small forward Samuell Williamson ahead of the game.

A week that saw Top 10 2019 prospects Jeremiah Robinson-Earl and James Wiseman announce that they will visit KU for Late Night in the Phog on Sept. 28, will be capped off by the Jayhawks hosting Williamson for an official visit over the weekend.

According to a recent report from 247 Sports recruiting analyst Evan Daniels, Williamson has scheduled his five official visits and will kick off the process in Kansas.

After visiting KU this weekend, Williamson will visit Texas A&M on Sept. 8, Louisville Sept. 15, Oklahoma Sept. 22 and Texas Tech on Oct. 6.

That’s if he makes it that far.

In talking with Daniels, Williamson referred to KU as “my dream school,” while breaking down what he likes about each of his five finalists.

“First off, it’s my dream school,” the versatile forward told Daniels. “Second off, they’ve been recruiting me since this time last year and they really picked it up this summer and then they have a lot of opportunity for me on the wing. (KU freshman) Quentin Grimes is probably leaving, (KU senior) LaGerald Vick will be gone after this year, (junior transfer) Dedric Lawson will be leaving, so that’s three spots on the wing and then the Sam Cunliffe transfer (to Evansville), so really four spots on the wing, so I think I can come in and play early there.”

Wrote Rivals recruiting guru Eric Bossi of Williamson’s upcoming stretch of visits: “(Williamson is) a potential instant impact player at any of his potential college landing spots. It will be interesting to see if he takes all of his visits, since he’s seen all of his finalists unofficially and, as the visit tour kicks off, the staff here at Rivals.com looks at Kansas as the favorite.”

Ranked No. 35 by Rivals.com in the Class of 2019, the 6-foot-7, 170-pound Williamson enjoyed a strong summer and appears to have his confidence soaring after averaging 12.7 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 20 games on the Nike EYBL circuit while playing with Drive Nation.

“I think it went really well,” Williamson told Daniels of his summer. “I think I got better and it was really fun playing with Drive Nation with a lot of top high level players, getting me ready for the next level playing with other really good players. It was a lot of fun.

“I think my athleticism improved. I still have a long way to go, but I think I proved that I’m the best mid-range shooter in the country. Overall, it was a really good summer.”

KUsports.com recruiting insider Matt Scott, who has seen Williamson play, certainly agrees with the Rockwall, Texas, native’s assessment of his game.

“Williamson has a terrific mid-range game,” Scott recently wrote. “His ability to back down his defender inside the 3-point line and then hit a turn-around, step-back jumper make him a tough matchup for opponents. Kansas has long shown strong interest in Williamson (and) both his mother and brother are Kansas alums, a fact that could help KU in its pursuit.”