Kansas Jayhawks men’s basketball to get visit from Brazilian 2025-class forward

Samis Calderon, one of the standout performers at the Overtime Elite Combine last week in Atlanta, has set up an official recruiting visit to Kansas for the KU-Howard game on Nov. 4, several recruiting sites have reported.

Calderon, a 6-foot-8, 190-pound, 19-year-old native of Espirito Santo, Brazil and a graduate of NBA Academy Latin America in Mexico City, also will visit Michigan on Oct. 20, Tennessee on Oct. 26 and Auburn on Nov. 1.

A rising senior in the recruiting Class of 2025, Calderon is not currently ranked by ESPN.com, Rivals.com or 247sports.com.

“Look for Samis Calderon to generate a lot of attention after his combine performance. The wing from Brazil impressed last year as well but was thought to have no college eligibility. As it turns out, he does have college eligibility and with his frame, powerful athleticism and college-ready frame he’s capable of stepping in somewhere on the high major level and helping on both ends of the floor,” Eric Bossi of 247sports.com said in a video taped at the conclusion of the combine.

“Given that he turns 20 in late November he’s obviously a bit older than most players in the Overtime Elite program and that added age certainly helps. However, the tools are there,” Bossi added.

Calderon tested well at the Combine, measuring a 7-foot-2 wingspan and 8-8 standing reach. He was second of all players in maximum vertical leap at 38 inches. He had a 31.5 inch standing vertical that also ranked second of all participants. He was fastest competitor in the 3/4 sprint at 3.2 seconds.

Calderon averaged 6.6 points and 5.4 rebounds in 22 games last year while playing for one of Overtime Elite’s teams. Competing for Brazil at last summer’s Under 19 World Championships, he averaged 9.6 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game. He also has competed for Brazil in the 2022 Under 18 Americas Championship and 2022 Under 18 South America Championship.

Adam Finkelstien of 247sports.com had this to say about Calderon at the combine: “The name I come really intrigued with and ironically I think I said the exact same thing last year, that’s Samis Calderon. Last year I thought he was a real sleeper. They (college coaches) weren’t sure what his college eligibility was like. This year I’m told his college eligibility is certain. His is going to be a trending name with high major coaches. We are talking about a perimeter forward who is long, strong, really athletic, has a serviceable shooting stroke with a high release. I think he’s going to be multi positional defensively. You’re already seeing schools making contact with him at the end of this combine. He really made an impression.”

Bossi noted that Calderon has “maybe a different level of speed. He’s a little older than some of these guys, already 19, but looked like a guy who knew what he was doing He’s settled in after being here a year. He’s been through the program. He did what he had to get done.”

Calderon at the OE Combine told Pro Insight he would “probably” go to college but has an open mind about perhaps turning pro after this season of basketball with Overtime Elite.

Tiller considering KU, others

KU is recruiting another player from the Overtime Elite program.

Bryson Tiller, a 6-10, 238-pound senior forward, who is not 100% recovered from a summertime ankle injury, held a workout at the OE Combine that was observed by KU’s Bill Self, Auburn’s Bruce Pearl and Georgia Tech’s Damon Stoudamire, among others.

“He’s very close to recovered,” wrote Bossi of 247sports.com. “We look forward to seeing Tiller fully cleared, but the workout was very valuable. Most notable was the condition that Tiller is in. He looks like a guy who has already been in a college weight room for a couple of years and measured just short of 6-11 (in shoes) and a very solid 238 pounds. During the workout he showed off his soft hands, soft touch and very much improved range on his jump shot. Because of his size and skill level, it’s not hard to envision a world where Tiller could be a serious matchup problem at the 5 or as big and strong 4 man.

Tiller, who made an unofficial visit to KU last season, told 247Sports that he’s still unsure of a timeline for his decision. He is ranked No. 20 by 247sports.com, No. 21 by Rivals.com and No. 26 by ESPN.com.

“Tiller has great positional size, a strong frame and the type of skill you would want to see in a modern day 4 man,” Bossi wrote. “Capable of operating on the block or facing out to the 3-point line, Tiller is a versatile scorer. He’s got broad shoulders, long arms and good functional athleticism in tight spots that he uses to score over and through defenders at the rim. He makes jump hooks, is a good passer out of the post and doesn’t get sped up. While the range on his jump shot extends to beyond 20 feet, there are times where Tiller can settle for jumpers rather than playing to his size advantage. He’s continuing to work on his ball handling and could really flourish if he becomes a more dedicated rebounder.”