BEDFORD PARK, Ill. — One of the nation’s top centers, Kai Rogers (Milwaukee, Wis.) made the decision earlier this summer to leave Wauwatosa West High School and take his talents to Overtime Elite for his senior season. Once a big fish in a little pond, Rogers will test himself against some of the nation’s top prospects and future pros while getting a head start on his preparation for college and beyond.
“It was hard leaving Tosa West. That’s my home,” Rogers told NY2LA Sports. “The competition at Overtime Elite is just different. I’m always going to be pushed. The training level is just so much higher than in Wisconsin.”
Approaching crunch time in his recruitment, Rogers has scholarship offers from Marquette, Texas, Illinois, LSU, Indiana, Florida State, Iowa State, Ole Miss, TCU, Auburn, Indiana, West Virginia, Tennessee, Wisconsin, and more.
The Sooners got the first official visit from the four-star center earlier this month.
“Just getting to know the coaches and what they want from me,” Rogers said. “The vision they had for me in a couple years and how I fit in their system, we just got to know each other. I got to hang out with the team and the coaching staff.”
“(I can) play outside like a five-out (offense). Shoot the ball, handle the ball, playing off hand-offs, pick n’ roll. It’s a fast offense that translates to the pros.”
Rogers also mentioned LSU and SMU as two other programs that are likely to grab an official visit from him this fall.
LSU: “I like that it’s in the south. It’s a prestigious school for big men.”
SMU: “I have a good connection with the coaches. We get along pretty well.”
Iowa State is another program pushing hard for an official visit as well. Rogers has already taken an unofficial to Ames.
“We’re always talking,” said Rogers. “J.R. (JR Blount) is always checking on me. So is T.J. (T.J. Otzelberger). I just get along with them outside of basketball.”
An All-State pick as a junior, Rogers averaged 20 points, 14 rebounds, four assists, and four blocks per game last season.
Rogers plans to narrow down his list of schools at the end of the summer. Rogers has no hard timetable for a decision, but is eying October for a potential commitment.
“Just a place where I feel comfortable,” he said.