K-Stated

Just spoke with Nick Russell, who is supposed to be visiting Kansas State this weekend for “Madness in Manhattan.” The Arlington (Texas) Grace Prep point guard had the day off from school because underclassmen are taking the PSAT.

I’d heard he was close to committing to K-State, and asked him point blank if that was case.

“I don’t know if I’m close to committing to K-State, but I know I’m close to making my decision,” Russell said.

When?

“Real soon, in the coming days,” he said.

Would it be fair, I asked, to reason that if he’s in Manhattan this weekend, a K-State pledge would be forthcoming?

He laughed.

“That kind of makes sense – if I show up,” Russell said.
The 6-4 point guard insists he didn’t know if he was coming in for the weekend or not. It would probably be his parents’ decision or that of his AAU coach, Ray Forsett.

Russell is still considering SMU, Iowa and Texas Tech. He broke down his reasons why:

“SMU is close, maybe 35 minutes away, and I like Matt Doherty. With Iowa, I have a good relationship with (Coach Todd) Lickliter. It was my first official visit. I had a great time and I felt comfortable there. They recruited me from the beginning. With Tech, I like Coach Pat (Knight). I like him a lot. It was my second official visit.”

Then, I asked him about the pros and cons regarding K-State. This was his response:

“Pros are knowing that I’d be there with Wally (Judge) and Rodney (McGruder). They were on unofficial visit during my official, and just knowing they’d be there would be good to know. Coach Martin, he’s a loyal guy. A great guy. All of the players welcomed me… It’s a great college town, and I loved the staff.

“But the cons are distance, and not knowing if I would get a lot of playing time right away.”

I asked if was concerned about Denis Clemente (a senior in 2009-10) and Jake Pullen (a junior in 2009-10) logging most of the minutes, and his answer was interesting.

“They told me I’d get a lot of minutes, but they didn’t really mention Jake… I guess he’d be at the 2.”

A decision is looming, though, and Russell wouldn’t budge. He insists he hasn’t decided where he’s going to play ball next year. Heck, he hasn’t even decided where he’s going to be this weekend.

Although…

“My gut says I’ll be in Manhattan,” he said. “… I believe we’ll be there.”