| | Associated Press
HUNTINGTON, Ind. -- Bob Knight has landed his first recruit
since surviving the investigation that nearly cost him his job.
Sean Kline, a 6-foot-8 junior forward from Huntington North High
School, cannot sign a letter of intent until November.
"I think it'll show a lot of people that he still hasn't lost
everyone through all of this," said Kline, who announced his
decision at his high school. "I feel for (Knight) that he had to go through all the stuff he
had to go through. But as far as affecting my decision, it really
didn't, unless he would have left."
Kline said Friday he had chosen Indiana over Notre Dame, but the
choice might not have been his: The Irish have one scholarship for
the 2001-01 freshman class and received a commitment Thursday from
Jordan Cornette, a forward from Cincinnati St. Xavier.
Indiana imposed fines and sanctions on Knight following a
three-month investigation into the coach's behavior. Videotape
showed Knight grabbing a former around the neck during practice.
Kline's stepfather, Steven Weber, said there was a "lack of
honesty" in dealing with Indiana, although he did not elaborate.
Indiana basketball spokesman Todd Starowitz said NCAA recruiting
regulations prevented him from directly addressing Weber's remark.
Kline's mother, Sarah Wall, supported her son but questioned his
decision to commit to Indiana early.
"I feel that the choice is premature," she said. "There's a
lot of unknowns. I certainly don't wish any ill will on Indiana or
Bobby Knight, but I have concerns, and I think a rational person
understands those concerns."
John Kline, Sean's father, was satisfied Indiana had "been up
front and honest with Sean."
Kline said he spoke with several Indiana players, including Dane
Fife, A.J. Guyton and Jarrad Odle, before making his decision.
"I can't be the one to say that coach Knight is going to follow
through with zero tolerance," he said. "But I feel he still wants
to win. ... I expect (Knight) to be very disciplined. He's very
hard-nosed and expects a lot. I just hope I can give him everything
he expects."
Kline also had been recruited by Michigan State, Purdue,
Marquette and Iowa. One recruiting analyst ranked him among the
nation's top 50 high school players. | |
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