Awaji to K-State

Citrus (Calif.) College shooting guard Buchi Awaji took his first scheduled official visit this week when he traveled to Manhattan, Kan., to see the Kansas State Wildcat program being built by Frank Martin. Attracting attention from schools coast to coast, Awaji decided his first official visit would be to the Big 12 school that had been recruiting him since the beginning.

"Kansas State has been recruiting me really hard all year long," the 6-foot-3, 175-pound Awaji said. "I took my official visit there starting on Wednesday. Everything went well on my visit. So well that I committed and signed with them. I actually signed my letter of intent (Friday). I'm a Wildcat."

Awaji, a California native, told Martin he wanted to be a Wildcat before the visit ended.

"When I told Coach Martin I knew I wanted to be part of the team, he was pretty excited. He said I made his day. I am excited about the team and what is going to happen there next year and into the future."

Awaji was hosted by soon to be senior forward Darren Kent.

"DK was my host. He is a cool dude. He showed me around the campus and Aggieville. I got along with him really well. He was really good at answering my questions about the school and the program.

"I knew I wanted to joint them when I saw them workout with Scott (Greenawalt), the strength and conditioning coach. I saw the before and after pictures, I knew that is what I wanted to do. He is going to help me so much when I get there.

"I also really liked how players got along with each other and the players got along with the coaches. I also know all of the coaches get along together."

Awaji was recruited by both Matt Figger and Brad Underwood.

"Coach Figg and Coach Underwood were great while they were recruiting me. They are both really cool. They informed about the school and the program and stayed in touch with me all year long."

Awaji redshirted his freshman season at Florida International before transferring to Citrus College. He will have two years to complete his final two years of eligibility at the college of his choice.

"I graduate out on June 14," he said. "I will be up there right away or the first of July. I'm ready to get to work there and get ready for the season."

The No. 32 ranked junior college prospect in the country believes his skills on both ends of the court will help out his school of choice immediately.

"I think I am a very good defensive player," Awaji said last month. "I have a very quick reaction to the ball. I also think I rebound well for a guard. On offense, I can score the ball really well in multiple ways. I can drive or I can hit the perimeter shot."

Awaji helped lead Citrus College to a 35-1 record and the state championship. Awaji connected on 55 percent of his field goal attempts while knocking down 40 percent of his 3-point field goal tries. He averaged 16.5 points per contest and pulled down five rebounds a game.