Recruiting Wrap

Butler courting Christian Kirk

Posted by: Jeremy Werner

Thursday, October 1, 2009 8:49 AM

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Christian Kirk has had some adjusting to do. The 6-foot-7, 195-pound St. Charles (Mo.) West junior has played primarily in the post, but now is transitioning to more time on the wing.

The added jumpshots and activity on the perimeter has proved tasking.

"Being in shape as a big man is a lot different than being in shape as a guard," Kirk said.

But with more practice on the wing, Kirk has added versatility to his game. The St. Charles West standout, who averaged 14.9 points and 5.9 rebounds per game as a sophomore, said his jumpshot is "getting a lot better."

"I'm a lot more confident in shooting now," Kirk said. "Last year, I'd rather go in and get fouled by three people and try and score than take a wide-open jump shot. But this year, I'm definitely leaning more toward the wide-open jumpshot because I feel a lot more confident."

Though he'll likely still play in the post for his high school team, the position transition allows Kirk to play a role he'll likely occupy at the next level.

"All the colleges that are talking to me, they don't want to keep me down in the post because I'm tall but I'm not tall for a college big man," Kirk said. "So I think working out (as a wing) and transitioning will be more of what it's like in college."

Kirk already has scholarship offers from Southern Illinois and St. Louis University. Another school could be joining his list soon.

"Butler has talked about offering me," Kirk said. "They just told me they saw me out in Vegas. They're head coach (Brad Stevens) said, ‘We need to get this kid on campus so we can offer him.'

"Obviously, they've been one of the top-25 teams in the nation in the last couple years. To see them looking at me to extend their program, that means a lot. It shows me I can actually be a pretty good player in college."

Evansville, Missouri State, Southern Illinois and Evansville have visited Kirk to watch him play in open gym sessions. He has also received calls from Illinois, Missouri State, Missouri, Wichita State, Evansville, Northern Iowa and Stanford.

Illinois assistant coach Jay Price has kept in touch with Kirk.

"They send me lots of letters," Kirk said. "They should be up soon to see one of my open gyms."

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