Charlie Villanueva, the ballyhooed high school basketball standout from Blair Academy in Blairstown, N.J., now ranks Kansas University as his No. 2 likely destination, behind the NBA

“I really have to give Kansas the advantage right now,” he told rivals.com. “I’m very familiar with coach (Bill) Self and the rest of the staff. They recruited me while they were at Illinois, so we have a great relationship.”

Villanueva, a 6-foot-9, 220-pound forward, put his name in the NBA draft this week, but said he would withdraw if he was not projected to be a first-round pick.

He orally committed to Self when Self was coach at Illinois, but Villanueva never signed a letter of intent and, thus, is free to go to any college if he passes on the pros.

He still plans to visit Connecticut, as early as this week.

“Connecticut is right up there with Kansas,” he said. “They are a school that I really like. Hopefully I can get up to Connecticut for an unofficial visit.”