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After losing entire starting lineup, expectations at Kansas soar with Andrew Wiggins in fold

Associated Press
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FILE - In this April 3, 2013, file phto, McDonald's East All-American's Andrew Wiggins (22) and Julius Randle (30) battle for a rebound with McDonald's West All-American's Isaac Hamilton (4) during the second half of the McDonald's All-American Boys basketball game in Chicago. Wiggins signed a letter-of-intent with the University of Kansas at a private ceremony, Tuesday, May 14, 2013, in Huntington, W.Va. The Canadian star averaged 23.4 points and 11.2 rebounds per game this season for West Virginia's Huntington Prep. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File) (The Associated Press)

Huntington Prep basketball player Andrew Wiggins smiles along side his mother Marita Payne-Wiggins, right, as he announces his commitment to the University of Kansas during a ceremony, Tuesday, May 14, 2013, at St. Joseph High School in Huntington W.Va. The Canadian star, a top prospect, averaged 23.4 points and 11.2 rebounds per game this season for West Virginia's Huntington Prep. (AP Photo/The Herald-Dispatch, Sholten Singer) (The Associated Press)

The nation's top basketball recruit is headed to Kansas, and expectations at the perennial contender are soaring once again.

The Jayhawks are losing all five starters from last year's team, which won its ninth straight Big 12 title. But the news Tuesday that Andrew Wiggins would be attending Kansas suddenly makes the Jayhawks the team to beat once again.

Wiggins joins a recruiting class that was already ranked No. 2 nationally by most recruiting services, and which includes five-star prospects Wayne Selden and Joel Embiid.

A 6-foot-7 forward from Huntington Prep in West Virginia, Wiggins has been called the next LeBron James, though coach Bill Self said he reminds him more of Tracy McGrady. Either way, he should be enough to make the Jayhawks title contenders once again.