Kansas Jayhawks one of three left on list of No. 9-ranked 2023 basketball recruit
Omaha Biliew, a 6-foot-8, 210-pound senior-to-be forward from Link Year Academy in Branson, Missouri, has narrowed his list of prospective colleges to three: Kansas, Iowa State and Oregon.
He recently made the announcement via a graphic on On3.com writer Joe Tipton’s Twitter account.
Biliew, the No. 9-ranked prospect in the recruiting Class of 2023 by ESPN.com, No. 10 by 247sports.com and No. 18 by Rivals.com, also is considering heading straight to the NBA G League, according to a report from 247sports.com and On3.com.
He has dropped Oklahoma State, Nebraska, Texas Tech, Arkansas, Tennessee and others from his long list of schools.
“These programs invested energy into recruiting me the most,” Biliew told Brandon Jenkins of 247sports.com. “They just believe in me and I found the right mindset with each program involved.”
Of KU, Biliew told the Des Moines Register: “The winning tradition and culture KU has, especially coming off a national championship. The platform Rock Chalk has and the confidence Bill Self has in me has been the biggest attraction to KU for me.”
Of Iowa State, he told the Register: “T.J. (Otzelberger, ISU coach) and I have a lot in common. He’s a hard worker just like me and is defensive-minded. We’ve built a great relationship and I’ve been up there to watch practice a few times. I love to be challenged and he is great at that. I’ve been out here in Iowa since I was 5, so it’s basically home to me and I’d love to represent for the state and my family.”
Some consider Iowa State the favorite considering he played his first two seasons of high school basketball at Waukee High School, about 50 miles from Ames.
Biliew, who also plays spring and summer basketball for Mokan Elite AAU, told 247sports.com he will announce his college choice on Sept. 1, which is his birthday.
“Biliew prides himself on defense. His play on that end of the floor is what made him a starter for national runner-up Link Year Prep, where he didn’t score tons,” wrote Matthew Bain and Alyssa Hertel of the Des Moines Register. “Otzelberger and Iowa State have quickly built an identity based on defense, and that resonates with Biliew. And his love for his home state is real.”
Oklahoma forward has KU on his list
Brandon Garrison, a 6-9, 205-pound senior-to-be forward from Del City (Oklahoma) High School, has KU, Oklahoma State, Arkansas, Texas, LSU and Cincinnati on his current list of schools.
Garrison, the No. 53-ranked player in the recruiting Class of 2023 by 247sports.com, No. 57 by ESPN.com and No. 73 by Rivals.com, recently visited with a member of KU’s coaching staff in Garrison’s hometown, Rivals.com reported.
“They show love and they actually came to my house about two weeks ago and did a home visit with coach Case (Jeremy, KU assistant). They gave me a replay of how they use their bigs and how they won the national championship,” Garrison told Travis Graf of Rivals.com.
Garrison said he will make some visits and pick a school “before my senior season for sure.”
“Visits are going to play a major factor as Garrison nears a decision, but there are already a few schools sticking out above the rest,” Graf wrote. “Handicapping this race, LSU, Oklahoma State and Kansas seem to be in the best positions of anyone in the field. However, a visit to Texas could change some things, and you can never count out Eric Musselman and Arkansas in a recruitment.”
