Kansas Men's Basketball Signs Aldrich

Nov. 8, 2006

LAWRENCE, Kan. — The University of Kansas men’s basketball team has signed highly-touted big man Cole Aldrich to a national letter of intent, head coach Bill Self announced Wednesday.

A 6-10, 245-lb., center from Bloomington (Minn.) Jefferson High School, Aldrich averaged 16.5 points and 13 rebounds his junior season. HoopScoop rated Aldrich the 10th best player in the 2007 class. Rivals.com has Aldrich as the No. 25 player in the class of 2007 and the No. 5 center.

“We are especially happy to officially welcome Cole and his parents Walt and Kathy to the Kansas basketball family,” KU head coach Bill Self said of Aldrich who orally committed to Kansas in November 2005. “We are very appreciative of the Aldrich’s loyalty to Kansas and are excited about him being a Jayhawk. Cole has been committed to Kansas for more than a year and has visited campus many times. Our fans should be very excited about a player of his ability and love for this university.”

As an AAU player, Aldrich was an ABCD All-Star in 2005 and 2006 in addition to playing for the Fox Valley Skillz. This past summer he participated in the Schweitzer Games in Germany and has been selected for numerous prestigious all-star events.

“Cole will be an excellent addition to our frontcourt,” Self said. “He has terrific size and a very high ceiling for his future. He is a true five man that is very skilled. We believe he can anchor our play on both ends of the court.”

Aldrich chose KU over Minnesota and North Carolina.