Julius Randle cuts list down to six schools

The Dallas senior, one of the most highly coveted players in the nation, has narrowed his list to Kentucky, NC State, Florida, Texas, Kansas and Oklahoma.

Julius Randle Reportedly Visits Ohio State

Correction: Somewhere in our editorial process, Oklahoma State was replaced with Ohio State. The Cowboys have been in the mix for Randle for some time, and we apologize for the mistake. The error was completely ours.

In a somewhat unexpected move, highly-touted local basketball prospect Julius Randle took an unofficial visit to Ohio State on Sunday:

5* 2013 PF Julius Randle reportedly on an unofficial visit to OK St today. Interesting as Pokes weren't on radar. Randle a UT, UK target.

— Jeff C. (@JC_Hoops) August 19, 2012

The Buckeyes weren't on what was rumored to be Randle's short list, but that doesn't necessarily mean anything this early in his recruitment process.

Under Thad Matta, Ohio State has become a national power in both basketball and football. Over the last decade, they've sent a huge number of one-and-done prospects to the NBA -- Greg Oden, Kosta Koufos, Mike Conley, Daequan Cook and Byron Mullens -- while also consistently playing deep into the NCAA Tournament.

So while Columbus isn't very close to home and doesn't have quite the same glamour as Lexington or Chapel Hill, it wouldn't necessarily be a huge shock if Randle seriously considers Ohio State.

For more coverage of the recruitment of Randle and the other top players from the Dallas area, stay tuned to the SB Nation Dallas StoryStream.

Julius Randle Recruiting Update: No Clear Frontrunner

The Dallas area is about to get a taste of the madness that is high-level college basketball recruiting.

While the Metroplex annually produces high-level D1 prospects like LeBryan Nash (Lincoln / Oklahoma State) and Perry Jones III (Duncanville / Baylor / Oklahoma City Thunder), neither player was considered on the level of Julius Randle, the class of 2013 forward from Prestonwood Christian.

NBA scouts are already very familiar with Randle's name, and were it not for the league's age restrictions, he would likely have forgone college altogether. A skilled and athletic 6'9 240 combo forward, Randle is considered by most to be in the same class as Andrew Wiggins and Jabari Parker in terms of the best amateur basketball players in the world.

His recruiting list reads like the who's who of college basketball -- Kentucky, UNC, Duke, Kansas -- but the local schools -- Texas, Baylor, SMU -- are still hanging around as well.

Last year, Shabazz Muhammed (who eventually wound up at UCLA) dragged his recruitment well into the spring and summer. That could happen in 2013 with Randle, which means John Calipari, Coach K, Roy Williams et. al might be frequent flyers to DFW.

A highlight tape of Randle on the AAU circuit. Judge at your own peril:

For more coverage of the recruitment of Randle and the other top players from the Dallas area, stay tuned to the SB Nation Dallas StoryStream.

Dallas Area High School Basketball Primer

With the AAU summer season winding down, recruiting for the top high school basketball players in the Dallas area has just begun. None are more coveted than Julius Randle, considered the top player in the country.