Singler gearing up for in-homes first

Nearly half of the five-star players in the class of 2007 are off the board so when a guy like Kyle Singler lines up his official visits and in-home conversations with coaches, the hoops world tends to listen a little longer than most.

Singler, the No. 4 overall ranked player in the country, has official visits set with Arizona (9/15), Duke (9/22) and Kansas (10/14) but the in-home visits are coming first.

"I'm doing it a little different than most, I guess," the South Medford (Ore.) High School forward said.

UCLA is the first in line for in-home visits, starting things off on Saturday. Duke is next on Sept. 13. Washington is schedule for the 18th and Kansas closes it out on the 19th. Arizona is still trying to schedule a concrete date.

The official visits will happen, Singler said, because he wants to get a better feel for Arizona, Duke and Kansas.

"Those are the only visits I have set up for now. I've already been to the other schools (Washington and UCLA)," Singler said.

He has also been to Duke before, too. Singler was on hand for a Blue Devils game last year and witnessed J.J. Redick break the school record in scoring. This trip, both of his parents will travel with him across the country to Durham.

Head coaches from each of his final schools shadowed him on the summer circuit, where he shined at the Nike Peach Jam and made the All-Star game at the Nike All-America camp.

Singler, the top small forward in his class, is an instant impact player, according to Rivals.com National Basketball Recruiting Analyst Jerry Meyer.

"Singler elevates a team immediately. He is a mature kid, both physically and emotionally," Meyer said. "He will be a great practice player and a quick study. You can play him at the 2, 3, or 4. He will be able to score at all three levels. Will rebound, pass and best of all blend in. He will only enhance team chemistry."