Instant Impact: David Padgett

No Roy, no problem for Naismith winner; he'll star for Self

By J.M. Woodman, Special to SI.com

David Padgett Fr., Kansas Position: C   Ht.: 6'11"  Wt.: 235 High School: Reno High School Hometown: Reno, Nev. TheInsiders.com Ranking: No. 4 overall, No. 1 center PHOTO: Jeff Jacobsen/KUAC SI.com's Impact Freshmen Brandon Bass LSU Tigers Luol Deng Duke Blue Devils Martin Iti Charlotte 49ers David Padgett Kansas Jayhawks Mustafa Shakur Arizona Wildcats Charlie Villanueva UConn Huskies Von Wafer FSU Seminoles

David Padgett had his future all figured out -- and he'd done it early, silencing the recruiting calls that hounded him after he established himself as one of the top players in the 2003 recruiting class.

After verbally committing to the University of Kansas in October, Padgett made it official on Nov. 13 -- the first day recruits could sign their letters of intent.

At the time, Padgett said Jayhawks head coach Roy Williams was a deciding factor in his choosing Kansas. Then, on April 14, Williams left Kansas to take the head coaching job at North Carolina, leaving the young recruit questioning his future.

But Bill Self, the former Illinois coach, took the Kansas job. And a road trip.

"He came out here three or four days after he was hired," Padgett said. "I didn't know him that well, although Illinois had recruited me a little. He talked about his style and how he was."

The style must have suited Padgett, who is now looking forward to suiting up for games at Allen Fieldhouse.

The Hype

Padgett was a McDonald's All-American and finalist for the Naismith Prep Basketball Player of the Year award after his senior season at Reno (Nev.) High School, where he averaged 27 points and 14 rebounds.

Padgett will always have memories of leaving every practice and game with his high school coach, Pete Padgett -- also his father. He knows having Pete, a former college player, as a mainstay has helped prepare him for the road ahead.

"They say I'm skilled," Padgett said of the scouting report on himself. "I'm not just raw. I'm skilled in the post and I have an advantage there because my dad played college ball and knows what it takes."

His Role

The younger Padgett should know what it takes before too long.

At 6-foot-11, 235 pounds, he enters the season as the only true center on the Jayhawks' roster. The departure of Big 12 Male Athlete of the Year Nick Collison has left a big hole to fill on the inside.

"I think, hopefully, I'll get to play a lot," Padgett said. "I think I have a pretty good chance to contribute right away. I'll contribute in any way I can. I mean, I won't play 35 minutes every night, but I'll contribute the best I can when I'm in there."

If recruiting sources are correct, Padgett may be modest about his potential. Despite suffering a season-ending knee injury in February, Padgett was still ranked the fourth overall and the No. 1 center by TheInsiders.com, proving he has the potential to be the next dominant force in the Big 12.

In the Jayhawks' first exhibition game on Nov. 5, Padgett was the team's second-leading scorer with 16 points in a 91-87 win over EA Sports.