KU basketball, Missouri on list of six schools for top-100 small forward from Alabama

Chase McCarty, a 6-foot-6, 180-pound senior men’s basketball small forward from Westminster Christian Academy in Huntsville, Alabama, has narrowed his list of prospective colleges to Kansas, Missouri and four others, On3.com reports.

McCarty — he is ranked No. 93 in the recruiting class of 2024 by 247Sports.com, No. 94 by ESPN.com and No. 113 by Rivals.com — will choose between KU, MU, Houston, Georgia Tech, Texas Tech and Tennessee.

McCarty made an official recruiting visit to Missouri last weekend. He visited Kansas on June 5-7. In fact, he’s made official visits to all of his finalists except Texas Tech. He’ll travel to Lubbock, Texas, from Nov. 29-Dec. 1.

“I chose Kansas for their style of play. Also, they are a really high-level program. They just won a national championship a couple of years ago so I was really excited to be recruited by them,” McCarty told On3.com. “(Bill) Self is a great coach. They have great assistant coaches as well. I like the way they can see me in their program.”

Of Missouri, McCarty told On3.com: “I chose them because coach (Dennis) Gates is an awesome, awesome guy. I have a connection to Missouri with Kobe Brown and Kaleb Brown and I know a couple of other players there. I really enjoyed my visit. The atmosphere is great, the people are great. The coaching staff is amazing, the style of play. They like to get up a lot of 3s, fast-paced, defend, switch everything. It’s really like an NBA system.”

McCarty’s dad, Kelly, is a former Southern Mississippi forward who played one season with the Denver Nuggets before a 14-year pro career in Russia and Israel. Chase McCarty’s sister is on Georgia’s swim team.

“He is a true wing with a solid frame and long arms who can stretch the floor with range, straight line drive, and play off his teammates,” Brandon Jenkins of 247Sports.com wrote of McCarty. “He has great physical tools at the position and provides constant energy in other areas of the game outside of scoring.

“McCarty looks to contest shots, compete for rebounds, and is alert on defense guarding on and off the ball. ... His frame will continue to develop at the next level. He is a prospect who will arrive on campus with a gym rat mentality instilled.”

Elite point guard picks Miami

Jalil Bethea, a 6-4, 175-pound senior point guard from Archbishop Wood High School in Warminster, Pennsylvania, on Wednesday committed to Miami (Florida) over KU and Villanova. He also was recruited heavily by Alabama and Syracuse.

Bethea — he visited KU Aug. 31-Sept. 2 — is ranked No. 7 in the class of 2024 by ESPN.com and 247Sports.com and No. 17 by Rivals.com.

“I would describe my game like a Devin Booker, Tyler Herro and Jordan Poole. I can make shots, dribble, play defense, and I get my teammates involved as well,” he told On3.com.

McNeeley down to KU, Indiana

Liam McNeeley, a 6-8, 210-pound senior small forward from Montverde (Florida) Academy, who visited KU on Sept. 1-3, has canceled this weekend’s trip to Texas. In fact he’s narrowed his list to KU and Indiana.

McNeeley is the No. 9-ranked player in the recruiting class of 2024 by Rivals.com and 247Sports.com and No. 13 by ESPN.com. The Richardson, Texas native also considered Oklahoma, Alabama, Michigan, Arkansas, Florida, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Illinois, Iowa and others. Indiana is said to be the leader.

“A quick close by KU would be not only a shock but a crushing blow to the Hoosiers’ class. Indiana fans should feel confident … well, as confident as anyone can feel with Bill Self hanging around, anyway,” wrote Rob Cassidy of Rivals.com.

KU has one commitment in class of 2024 so far

KU thus far has landed a commitment from one player in the class of 2024.

Flory Bidunga, a 6-9, 220-pound senior center from Kokomo (Indiana) recently chose KU over Duke, Auburn and Michigan.

Originally from Congo, Bidunga is ranked No. 4 in the class of 2024 by ESPN.com, No. 5 by Rivals.com and 247Sports.com. He also has a noted soccer background.