Self admits contact with top recruit

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) -- Kansas officials are checking to see if basketball coach Bill Self's brief encounter with a top recruit might constitute an NCAA infraction.

Self agrees that he said hello to John Wall, a 6-foot-4 guard who had just played in a high school tournament in Springfield, Mo. It happened during an evaluation period last week when college coaches are not allowed contact with prospects other than to exchange greetings.

"We are aware of the report, and the administration is looking into it," said Chris Theisen, a Kansas spokesman.

Wall is rated the No. 1 overall recruit in the class of 2009 by Rivals.com. The Springfield News-Leader said the exchange took place between Self and Wall outside Wall's locker room after a game Thursday night.

"Basically, it's accurate," Self said after beating Texas A&M 73-53 Monday night. "I don't know if the exact quote is accurate. After the game was over, like I always do, like every coach always does, I had to catch a plane. So I went back to tell the coaches, `Congratulations, good win.' I was approached and shook a hand and said, `I can't talk to you, but you played really well."'

Kansas is in the final year of a three-year NCAA probation for violations in football and men's basketball.

"If that exchange, which is all it was, is a problem, then our administration will deal with it," Self said. "I certainly by no means am I going to deny that basically that happened. But the reason I was back in the back was to say hi to the coaches after the game."

The question is whether the NCAA would consider Self and Wall's exchange as contact.