Kansas big adjusting to new surroundings
The class of 2012 is absolutely loaded with size and one of the most intriguing prospects of them, Willie Cauley, hails from one of the smallest locations. A native of tiny Spearville (Kan.), the near 6-foot-11 Cauley has transferred to Olathe (Kan.) Northwest in suburban Kansas City for his junior season.
Making the move from a town of just 829 people is certainly going to require an adjustment. But, Cauley has already gotten used to playing the nation's top talent with his summer team MoKan Elite.
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"I think he did well," said MoKan program director Matt Suther of Cauley's summer play. "We played him up in July on the 17 and under level and it was a challenge for him because it made him come out of his comfort zone."
A thin, but wiry strong, big man with long arms, Cauley has a fluid stride, is quick off the floor and earned high marks from college coaches during the summer for his instinctive rebounding and shot blocking.
"He's obviously extremely talented," Suther told Rivals.com. "He's big, strong and has a knack for blocking shots. He has to improve offensively but it's coming along."
In fact, Cauley was showing quite a bit of promise on the offensive end by summer's end. He gets to the rim quickly, has pretty good feet and is becoming comfortable with short jump hooks.
"If you put him through individual skill stuff he does well," said Suther. "We've got him in the gym every day working on his offense and he looks good. He just doesn't have the confidence to do it in a game situation yet."
Already the recipient of plenty of attention from programs like Kansas State, Arizona, Oklahoma State, Oklahoma, Georgia and others headed into the summer, Cauley's recruitment has officially exploded.
"It's been totally crazy with calls lately, we've kind of had to shut it down a bit," said Suther. "I've heard from places like Florida, Ohio State, Kansas, Wake Forest, Clemson, Minnesota, Iowa and Michigan State. I can't even name them all.
For now, Cauley is in a holding process. He doesn't have any visits scheduled and is focusing on adjusting to his new surroundings both on and off the floor.
"He has to prove some things," said Suther. "He's kind of home sick and that's expected. He's just got to continue to work hard and things will come together."