Kansas coach Bill Self and assistant Joe Dooley were in San Diego last night for their in-home visit with 2011 PF Angelo Chol (San Diego, CA/Herbert Hoover/video). The Kansas in-home visit with the 6’8″ 215 pound big man was the first for Chol so far, and according to his high school coach, Ollie Goulston, the Kansas staff did a great job.
“In went well,” said Goulston of the visit. “It was a good visit. It was very positive,” he added.
The Jayhawks are one of five schools that Chol is currently considering. North Carolina, Alabama, Arizona and Washington round out his list, but Kansas had the first opportunity to talk to Chol about how they see him fitting in at Kansas.
“They talked about the school and the program,” said Goulston. “They also talked about where they see Angelo fitting in,” he added.
The Kansas coaches may have arrived in San Diego with one thought about how Chol could fit in at Kansas, but that thought likely changed after watching Chol workout earlier in the day.
“We had a long day yesterday with workouts and practice. Coach Self and coach Dooley came in and watched him play,” said Goulston. “Angelo has these jumps in his game every 3-4 months, and he had another jump. I think they (KU coaches) were even more excited and think he could even be a bigger contributor at Kansas. They saw how much his jumpshot has improved, and some of the things he can do away from the basket. I think it caught them a little off guard,” he added.
Those jumps in his game every 3-4 months is one huge reason why schools would love to get Chol on campus. His ceiling is high, and his work-ethic is tremendous.
“He’s just a sponge,” said Goulston. “He still so young too. He won’t turn 18 until after he graduates. He just turned 17 in July, and physically his body continues to get better,” Goulston added.
Usually basketball recruits don’t have to do much research on programs like Kansas and North Carolina. However, Chol, who is originally from Sudan before moving to Egypt, isn’t as familiar with the big name programs that have been recruiting him. One of those big name schools has yet to secure a date for their in-home visit, but that could change as early as today.
“When he started this process he couldn’t have told you the difference between Kansas and Kansas A&T,” said Goulston. “North Carolina’s Roy Williams will be in to watch him workout today and then Angelo will decide on setting up visit if he’s comfortable,” said Chol.
Goulston’s relationship with Chol is so close because Goulston did such a terrific job developing trust in the relationship. That same sort of relationship with his future college coach will be key in Chol’s decision. Gooulston feels that the Kansas coaching staff is one that could be a fit for Chol.
“I feel comfortable with coach Self and his staff,” said Goulston. “He is a very good coach, and I think a players coach. A players coach that cares about his players and drives his players,” added Goulston.
Chol is scheduled to officially visit Kansas on October 15th for Late Night in the Phog. However, it won’t be in the fall that Chol makes his college decision. That, according to Goulston, will be sometime this spring.
