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Giles |
Kansas University's basketball tradition meant more to C.J. Giles than a chance to play close to home. "It was really hard for me because I love UW to death, and I also love Kansas," said Giles, a 6-foot-10 center from Ranier Beach High in Seattle who picked KU over Washington on Tuesday. "I had to go with Kansas because it was the best fit for me. I love the tradition down there."
That tradition was on full display during Giles' campus visit. Giles met Danny Manning, KU's director of student-athlete development and an All-American in 1988 who led Kansas to the national title. "Danny Manning was one of the greatest players who ever played there," Giles said. "I couldn't turn away from him coaching me."
Giles, who averaged 17 points, 12 rebounds and six blocks per game as a senior, filled the final spot in coach Bill Self's first recruiting class at KU. Kansas signed Midwest City, Okla., forward Darnell Jackson, Florida Air Academy center Sasha Kaun and New York guard Russell Robinson in the early period, then added forward Alex Galindo of St. Benedict's Prep in Newark, N.J., on Monday.
Giles originally signed with Miami but asked for -- and received -- his release after a coaching change. His addition cushions the blow after KU lost freshman center David Padgett, who plans to transfer at the end of the semester. "You never like to see a coaching change or a coach losing his job," Self said. "Because of the change, C.J. became available after he was released from his letter of intent. In our situation, it couldn't come at a better time after David's decision to leave. Now we have as a good a young big-man combination as anyone in the country with C.J., Sasha and Darnell. It's a perfect situation with a veteran like Wayne Simien able to help."
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Simien will be a lock to start at one post position as a senior, while the three freshmen will battle veterans Christian Moody and Moulaye Niang at the other. The competition doesn't scare Giles. "Anywhere you go, you're going to have to compete," he said. "Nobody ever promised me a starting job."
Giles' father, Chester, played for KU under former coach Ted Owens and knows KU's tradition well. "I want to be part of that," C.J. Giles said. "They have a sold-out arena every year, every game. I just had to pick Kansas." Now, Giles will wear the crimson and blue, just like his father. "When they visited here, his father was able to relive some of his moments," Self said. "His senior year an injury prohibited him from playing to his potential. Now his son has a chance to do great things at a place he has a great love for."
Giles won't miss his father or younger brother Malcolm, a 6-5 guard who will be a junior next season -- likely at Free State High. The family is moving to Lawrence with C.J. "It looks like I'm coming home," Chester Giles said. "I'm excited to be staying with my boys."