WASHINGTON, D.C. — Houston Hoops wing Kelly Oubre recently cut his list to eight schools and says he will trim it again by the start of his high school season.
“We’re still in the process right now,” Oubre said after going for 14 points and 5 rebounds as the USA West team beat Canada, 93-77, at the Nike Global Challenge at Trinity Washington University. “So you can look forward to that sometime during the high school season, when high school starts.”
Kansas, Florida, Kentucky, Georgetown, Louisville, Oregon, UConn and UNLV made the initial cut, and he says he has one official visit he wants to take.
“I want to take an official to Kansas,” said Oubre, who was watched by Kansas coach Bill Self, Kentucky’s John Calipari, UConn’s Kevin Ollie, Georgetown’s John Thompson III and assistants from the other schools.
Asked if the Kansas visit would be for “Late Night in the Phog” in October, Oubre said, “Most likely, yes sir.”
He added: “I’ve been talking to Coach Self for a while. I like his offense and his style of play.”
Kentucky recently offered Oubre but they appear to have made Stanley Johnson — who went for 16 points in the win — their top wing priority. Calipari was courtside early to watch Johnson play Thursday.
“He develops players, he makes pros,” Oubre said of Calipari. “If I go to Kentucky I know for sure that he can develop me into the best player I can be in a short period of time. So I know that he would develop players.”
Oubre said he and Johnson have talked about possibly playing together in college, but he doesn’t think it’s likely.
“For us to play together in college, no, we’re not really talking about it but we’re real close so we always talk about that stuff,” Oubre said.
Still, one veteran NBA scout in attendance compared the two players.
“I think Oubre has more upside,” the scout said. “I think Stanley’s stronger and tougher.”
He added of Oubre: “Really gifted, the game comes easy. Sensational at times. Also loses focus at times.”
As for Georgetown, Oubre said: “I like Coach Thompson. He’s a great guy, a great coach. He develops his players, especially big wings, big guards. I see Otto Porter came out. He was successful in college and I could see myself doing the same.”
UConn is also an option.
“Coach Ollie’s a young coach,” he said. “He’s been there, done that. Everything. He’s a genuine guy. I like his style of play. He has a young team so I know they like to get up and run.”
Louisville remains in the mix despite having commitments from three 2014 guards.
“[I would] be a scorer, vocal leader,” he said. “Shaqquan [Aaron] and JaQuan [Lyle] are both great players but I think we could all play in the same backcourt.”
Photo: Courier Journal
