2006 Bouldin impressed with visit

Matt Bouldin, the No. 53 ranked player in the class of 2006, was one of several recruits across three classes to attend midnight madness activities at Kansas. Jerry Smith and Bouldin, a 6-foot-5, 199-pound combo guard from Thunder Ridge High School in Denver, Colo., were the two recruits from the 2006 class in attendance, and they are competing from one perimeter scholarship.

“It was something else,” said Bouldin about Kansas’ midnight madness. “I had a lot of fun. They made me feel pretty welcome, and I had a chance to talk with the coaches.”

Bouldin’s father Ron Bouldin, who played at Colorado State and then briefly in the NBA, was equally impressed.

“Kansas has an unbelievable program- the coaches, players, everyone,” said Mr. Bouldin. “They were on fall break and they still crammed 16,000 people in there. When we pulled up, there were lines 10 blocks long with people waiting to get in.”

The Jayhawks have two scholarships to give in the class of 2006, one for a perimeter player and one for a post player. Bouldin is a top perimeter recruit for Kansas, but more than likely behind Smith, who is perceived as the top perimeter priority for Kansas.

“They said they have two to give,” said Bouldin. “That is if nobody transfers or goes to the NBA. They want one perimeter and one big and are recruiting three or four players for each position.”

Bouldin, who has a host of schools he is considering, said that the visit confirmed his thoughts about the Kansas program but did not change any aspect of his recruitment.

“I’ve always liked Kansas, but the trip did not change anything,” he said. “I always knew it was a great place.”