A.J. Stewart Eliminates Kansas State- Down to UK or Illinois

[Topeka Capital-Journal- October 4] [Subscription]

A.J. Stewart won't be joining former high school teammates Jason Bennett and Chris Merriewether on Bob Huggins' K-State basketball team.

Stewart, a 6-foot-7 forward from Arlington Country Day (Fla.) High and the nation's No. 91 overall prospect according to Rivals.com, has narrowed his choices to Illinois and Kentucky.

ACD coach Rex Morgan said Stewart will visit Illinois this weekend and attend Kentucky's Midnight Madness the following week.

According to Morgan, Stewart's interest in K-State waned when the Wildcats secured an oral commitment from forward Michael Beasley, the nation's top-ranked recruit by Rivals. K-State also is pursuing forward Bill Walker, the nation's No. 6 prospect, and power forward DeJuan Blair.

"We thought that with Beasley there and some of the other guys that they're after, it probably was best for A.J. to look at another place," Morgan said. "Nothing against Kansas State."