Top prep center Stephen Zimmerman — a KU target — picks hometown UNLV

Stephen Zimmerman, one of the top high school centers in the country and a long-time Kansas target, is staying home and heading to UNLV, he announced Thursday.

Zimmerman, a native of Las Vegas, announced his commitment to UNLV on his Twitter account late on Thursday night.

Rated as Rivals’ No. 11 overall player in the country, Zimmerman visited Kansas during Late Night in the Phog last fall. He was also considering Kentucky, UCLA and Arizona. But in recent weeks, it appeared increasingly unlikely that Zimmerman would end up at Kansas.

Now Kansas’ search for help in the frontcourt turns to another long-time high school target — Cheick Diallo — and Charlotte grad transfer Mike Thorne Jr. Diallo, a 6-foot-9 forward, is a native of Mali who played his high school basketball in New York. He is also still reportedly considering a list that has included St. John’s, Iowa State, Pitt and Kentucky. Thorne, meanwhile, is set to visit Kansas next week.

This story was originally published April 17, 2015 at 9:09 AM with the headline "Top prep center Stephen Zimmerman — a KU target — picks hometown UNLV."