SoCalHoops Recruiting News

Big 12: Kansas Signs Moulaye Niang
& Jeff Graves--(Nov. 15, 2001)

Ok, now that we've covered the West Coast conferences, there are a number of SoCal players who have signed with schools outside the region yesterday.  Among them were San Diego high school standout Moulaye Niang 6'-9" Sr. F/C from El Cajon Christian, as well as highly-recruited Jeff Graves from Iowa Community College.  Here's the press release issued by the Jayhawks today about the signings:

Kansas Signs Two Players For Next Season

 LAWRENCE, Kan. -- The University of Kansas men's basketball team signed two highly-touted recruits -- Jeff Graves and Moulaye Niang -- to national letters-of-intent, coach Roy Williams announced on Thursday.

Graves is a 6-9, 255-pound sophomore forward at Iowa Western Community College. He averaged 12 points and 10 rebounds per game as a freshman, then saw his stock soar after dominating the Mullens juco camp last August. Graves is a native of Lee's Summit, Mo., the same town which produced former Jayhawk Patrick Richey.

"Jeff Graves is 6-9, 255 or 260, and has really been one of those late bloomers that you've heard me say that I enjoy having," Williams said. "They haven't been pampered quite as much a guy who's the best player in the universe as an eighth grader, ninth grader and 10th grader. Jeff is a power guy, and he takes up the space inside you need as a power player, and along with it has a very good touch. He's a very bright young man. I saw him practice once this year and he took three charges, which I like that part of it. He has great hands, and really good feet for somebody that size."

Niang, a 6-9, 205-pound forward, is a senior at Christian High School in El Cajon, Calif. near San Diego. A native of Senegal, Niang was named MVP of his high school team last year after posting 12.5 points and 10 rebounds per game en route to a 22-6 record.

"Moulaye is a youngster that everybody fell in love with when he was here," Williams said. "His upside is considerable. He's a guy who hasn't played a lot of basketball and is a fantastic athlete. He has long arms and can block shots. He's a great kid and has a big-time smile, everybody really enjoyed him while he was here and I think he'll fit in very well at the University and help us win some basketball games too. Right now his defensive play is ahead of his offensive game."

The Jayhawks open the 2001-02 regular season on Monday afternoon versus Ball State in the Maui Invitational.

Kansas Signees At-A-Glance

Name	Position	Height	Hometown	Current School
Jeff Graves	F	6-9	Lee's Summit, Mo.	Iowa Western Community College
Moulaye Niang	F	6-9	El Cajon, Calif.	Christian High School

 
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