Recruiting Notes

Recruiting notes from the last few days:

• 2014 PG Dom Collier lists Alabama along with other schools.
• Kentucky has been in contact with 2013 Guard Anthony Barber
• 2013 forward Jimmie Taylor wants to visit Kentucky and Vanderbilt. He does not have an offer from Kentucky
• Taylor has a top 5 of Georgetown, Alabama, Vanderbilt, Kentucky and Tennessee. I do not believe this is in any order.
• 2013 Forward Jarquez Smith will visit Auburn and Tennessee soon
• Kentucky watched 2013 James Young and 2014 Andrew Wiggins
• "Man he's the best high school I've ever saw. And I've seen the all. Lebron,Melo,Kobe and several others." - A text I got from an AAU coach on Wiggins.
• The entire LSU staff watched 2013 Forward Julius Randle
• Kentucky watched 2013 forward Troy Williams
• Williams is expected to decide between Kentucky and North Carolina this week
• Kentucky and Missouri watched 2014 guard Tyus Jones this weekend
• Arkansas's Mike Anderson 2015 SG KeVaughn Allen
• 2016 guard Braxton Blackwell was watched by Vanderbilt, Alabama, and Mississippi State
• LSU and Tennessee watched Dream Vision. Tennessee has interest in 2015 C Stephen Zimmerman
• Kentucky's John Calipari watched 2013 Forward Marcus Lee
• Tennessee's Cuonzo Martin and Jarnell Stokes watched 2013 Forward Schuyler Rimmer
• Tennessee and LSU watched Karviar Shepard, Jordan Mickey and Kendal Harris this weekend.

Recruiting Notes

Recruiting notes from the last few days:

• Vanderbilt is showing interest in 2013 SF DeAndre Bembry
• Vanderbilt and Tennessee are looking at  Duke transfer Michael Gbinije
• Texas A&M is now showing interest in SG Malik Starkes
• Georgia offered 2013 guard Donte Clark
• Duke, UNLV, UCLA, and Tennessee were on hand to watch Dream Vision vs. Southeast Elite. 2015 C Stephen Zimmerman has interest from Tennessee and 2013 SG Rashad Muhammad has an offer from Texas A&M. I have no information about anyone on SE Elite
• Robert Kirby has been hired at LSU
• Kentucky had John Calipari, Orlando Antigua, and Kenny Payne watched 2014 Andrew Wiggins. Wiggins may reclassify according to Garrett Tucker
• Texas A&M watched 2014 Justise Winslow and commit 2013 Derrick Griffin. Alabama was on hand, but I'm not sure who they watched.
• John Calipari watched Julius Randle, James Young, Tyus Jones, and Marcus Lee
• Florida, South Carolina, and Tennessee target will make his decisions in a few weeks
• Missouri watched Jaylen Brantley and Wayne Selden
• Devonta Pollard has cut his list to Missouri, Alabama, and Georgetown
• Kentucky commit Nerlens Noel interveiw  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDIIWpfogNc&feature=g-u-u (There is some Anthony Bennett news in the video)
• Florida commit had a nasty dunk:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liIyCR4EH88&feature=youtu.be
• I need blogs to check daily. I need any school but Kentucky. The blogs can follow me on Twitter and links can be tweeted to me. @SECBballRecruit

Recruiting Notes

     Recruiting notes from the last few days:

• Andre Applewhite visited and committed to Mississippi State
• Willie Moore visited South Carolina
• LSU signed JUCO Shavon Coleman
• Mississippi State offered Trivante Bloodman
• Tony Parker chose UCLA; Georgia was on his list
• Tyrone Haughton will not sign with South Carolina
• Mislav Brzoja visited Kentucky. He holds an offer from LSU.
• Alabama offered Xavier Rathan-Mayes
• Florida offered 2014 forward Jahlil Okafor
• LSU, Alabama, Texas A&M, and Missouri will be at Real Deal in the Rock. More schools are expected.    

Georgia Lands Forward

     The University of Georgia picked up a commitment from Houston Kessler today. The forward stands at 6'8" and weighs 210. Phillip Pearson and Mark Fox wooed him away from many other schools. Auburn and Mississippi State were the only schools from the SEC. Mississippi State and Georgia were the only SEC schools to offer. Kessler is the second forward to commit to Georgia in the class of 2012.

MSU Picks up Point Guard

     Mississippi State has picked up their 5th commitment of the the class of 2012. Delafield, Wisconsin point guard Jacoby Davis has committed to play for the Bulldogs next year. The 6'1" point guard was also interested in Houston, Seton Hall, South Carolina, and USC. None of those schools had offered.

My Obsession With Chris Walker

    I cannot tell you how much I love Chris Walker. The kid is amazing, a complete game changer. I can't compare him to anybody because he is so outstanding. The only thing comparable about Walker's game is his shot-blocking. He doesn't smack the ball into the stands. Who does that remind you of? Anthony Davis.
     Check out these videos:

     Walker is the best player in nation. You may argue Jabari Parker. Parker is great but he doesn't have the impact in a game that Walker has.
      Walker has an offer from Florida. Kentucky has not offered but they have tons of interest.
       I'm going to leave you with this picture:

Recruiting Notes

Recruiting note from the past few days:

• Kentucky target James Young has scored over 100 points in 4 games this weekend
• Tony Parker will announce his decision tomorrow. Georgia is on his list.
• Tennessee target Jared Terrell picked up an offer from Iowa State
• 2012 SF Savon Goodman will visit Missouri in the next few weeks
• John Calipari watched the Aaron and Andrew Harrison today
• Alabama watched 2013 trio Jaren Sina, Davon Reed, and Austin Colbert
• John Calipari watched Karl Towns this weekend
• Florida's Billy Donovan watched Chris Walker
• Alabama target Ayinde Sprewell said that he averaged about 15 points this weekend
• South Carolina watched Schuyler Rimmer
• Tennessee target 2015 C Stephen Zimmerman flirted with a triple-double this weekend with 18 points, 14 rebounds, and 8 blocks
• Mississippi has offered 2014 Elijah Staley
• Sheldon Jeter is down to Wisconsin, Penn State, Vanderbilt, and South Carolina
• Kentucky is showing interest in Xavier transfer Mark Lyons 
• Georgia's Phillip Pearson watched 2013 F Schuyler Rimmer
• Florida and Missouri offered 2013 PF Marcus Lee
• Georgia's Mark Fox watched Jakeenan Gant and Elijah Staley

Breaking Down Anthony Bennett's Recruiting

     Anthony Bennett is a highly touted recruit and desired by Florida and Kentucky. Bennett is ranked as the #1 power forward by Scout, Rivals, and ESPN. Bennett lists Florida, Kentucky, Oregon, and UNLV. Here is a look at each school:
      Florida- What is not to love about Florida? Great weather and great women. But also, Florida is coming off of an Elite Eight run. Florida did lose guards Bradley Beal and Erving Walker, but Bennett would make an immediate impact in the frontcourt. Billy Donovan wins and he has put the talents of Joakim Noah and Al horford in the NBA. Donovan and his staff are in contact with Bennett almost everyday. Florida is going to be hard to beat.
     Kentucky- Kentucky seems more like a NBA draft factory instead of a college. The defending National Champions have  their starting lineup set except for the power forward position. Returning freshamn Kyle Wiltjer is penciled in as the started but Bennett could easily take his spot. Calipari is known for putting point guards in the NBA, but he has had 2 big men drafted as lottery picks, turned a center with no pro hopes into a second round pick, and will have 2 big men drafted in the first round in the upcoming draft.
     Oregon- Oregon. Well what to say? Oregon has a cool court. Yeah. The PAC-12 is weak. He could make a HUGE impact in such a weak conference. Bennett would certainly get tons of playing time and he could help Oregon get to the NCAA tournament.
     UNLV- I have been told that Bennett is not considering UNLV but lists them to make the Findlay Prep guys happy. Findlay Prep head coach Michael Peck was the video coordinator at UNLV for three years.

South Carolina Picks up a Commitment

     South Carolina has picked up a commitment from Brooklyn, New York guard Thaddeus Hall. The 6'5" guard has been recruited by South Carolina heavily since Frank Martin was named head coach.Hall was also interested in Dayton, Iona, St. John's, Texas Tech, Virginia Tech, and West Virginia. He held offers from all. Hall has long arms that allow him to catch any ball thrown his way. He can shoot and draws alot of fouls.

Recruiting Notes

     Recruiting notes from the last few days:

• Cuonzo Martin visited 2012 signee Derek Reese and watched 2013 forward Schuyler Rimmer workout
• Mississippi State is interested in 2014 wing Darius Austin
• Former Duquesne signee Willie Moore is down to Virginia Tech and South Carolina
• Tennessee watched Kedrick Lomo, Joel Berry, Che Bob and other players in the class of 2014
• Michigan is close to offering Florida target Reggie Cameron  
• Ohio State had Amedeo Della Valle, a Texas A&M target, on campus
• Mississippi State is showing interest in 2014 guard Peyton Allen
• Missouri is showing interest in 2013 forward AJ Davis
• South Carolina watched Tevin Glass, Jalyn Patterson, Josh Coleman, and Mo Lewis
• Mississippi watched JUCO point guard Trivante Bloodman
• Quinton Stephens had 4 schools including Tennessee watch him
• Tony Parker will announce his decision at 4 P.M. on Monday
• Texas Tech head coach Billy Gillispie and a Colorado assistant watched Kendal Harris (Missouri, Alabama, Texas A&M, and LSU target) 

Small Talk with Harold Givens

Harold Givens is a Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, and LSU target. Georgia watched him workout today.
     Joseph Thompson: Who do you have offers from?
     Harold Givens: Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, LSU, Marquette, Miami, Virginia, Georgia Tech, USC, Tulane, Tennessee, and Arizona.
     JT: Have you made any visits?
     HG: I did last year, when I had the time. I have scheduled visits for the summer.
     JT: How do you think AAU is going to be this year?
     HG: An eye opener.Best Ever. It is going to be fun.
     JT: What are your strengths?
     HG: I'm very athletic and athletic. I can shoot, passing, defend well, get blocks, and get steals.
     JT: Any weaknesses?
     HG: My ballhandling and footwork. They're getting there though.
     

Texas A&M Commitment

     Texas A&M has picked up a commitment from JUCO forward Andrew Young. Young also had interest from Kentucky. Young is signed.

Recruiting Notes

     Recruiting notes from the last few days:

• Reggie Cameron has picked up an offer from Florida
• Juwan Parker is down to Memphis, Vanderbilt, Tulsa, and Oklahoma
• Tony Parker cut his list to UCLA, Duke, Ohio State, Kansas, and Georgia
• 2016 Braxton Blackwell and 2014 Jake Allsmiller visited Tennessee this weekend 
• Ohio State watched 2014 LJ Peak and 2013 Sindarius Thornwell, South Carolina was present
• NC State had Texas A&M target Andrew Young on campus
• Sheldon Jeter visited Vanderbilt and got an offer
• Auburn hosted Orlando Sanchez for the weekend
• Jordan Woodard lists Oklahoma, Memphis, Tulsa, Kansas, Florida State, Stanford, and Vanderbilt

Recruiting Notes

     Recruiting notes from today:

• Florida offered 2013 forward Reggie Cameron
• Terry Brutus has committed to Mississippi
• Alex Oriakhi has committed to Missouri
• Mississippi State watched Bradley Hayes workout
• Wake Forest transfer Carson Desrosiers is visiting Vanderbilt this weekend
• Nebraska is hosting Jahlil Okafor, Kyle Davis, Xzavier Taylor, and Josh Cunningham. Most are SEC targets.
• Alabama target Shane Hall is putting on a show in Knoxville according to Brian Snow
• Anthony Bennett will take his official visits after the Jordan game
• Florida is showing interest in Josh Hart
• Kentucky and Tennessee target D'angelo Russell will visit Ohio State this weekend
• Cameron Golden is hearing from Tennessee
• Tennessee is expected to offer Major Canady soon

Recruiting Notes

Recruiting notes from today:

• Devon Walker will sign with Florida
• Alex Foster has dropped Texas A&M from his list
• Pittsburgh is showing interest in Major Canady, a 2013 Tennessee target. This kid puts up quadruple-doubles.
• Indiana has interest in Khadre Lane, a 2014 Missouri target
• Jabari Parker won Gatorade POY for the state of Illinois. 
• Parker can join Brandon Knight, Lebron James, and Greg Oden as two time POY winners.
• Jabari Parker lists Kentucky, Duke, Georgetown, UNC, Kansas, Illinois, Michigan St, BYU, Washington, and Florida.
•  Tennessee is showing interest in 2015 big man Stephen Zimmerman.
• Mississippi State is interested in 2013 Forward Ishmail Wainwright
• Missouri and Auburn are now recruiting 2014 point guard Joel Berry
• Alabama, Florida, Tennessee, and Vanderbilt 2014 target picked up an offer from Louisville today.
• Eastern Washington offered 2013 guard Sir Washington today, Texas A&M is interested. 

Recruiting Notes

Recruiting notes from the last few days:

• UConn is now involved with Bradley Hayes. Arkansas, Georgia, and Mississippi State are the only SEC schools involved
• Texas A&M target Amedeo Della Valle will visit Michigan this weekend. The visit is official.
• Anthony Gill is transferring from South Carolina. 
• Kansas is looking at a 2015 guard Will Jackson. Alabama, Georgia, and Florida are also looking at Jackson.
• Ian Baker is fully committed to Providence.
• Illinois is showing interest in Trey Dickerson, a Mississippi State target.
• Depaul is showing interest in 2013 player Jaylen Reid. Reid is an Auburn and Georgia target.
• Josh Gray recieved his release from Mississippi State.
• Amile Jefferson, a Kentucky target, could commit today.
• Brian Greene Jr. is officially signed to Auburn.
• Nerlens Noel has committed to Kentucky.

Commits

      Shabazz Muhammad has committed to UCLA. Muhammad was a Kentucky target. Muhammad was also considering Duke.
    Nerlens Noel, the #1 overall recruit, has committed to play for Kentucky in the fall. Noel announced his decision be having a UK logo trimmed into his hair. The world was shocked not to see a Georgetown G. Noel wants to win a title with fellow incoming freshman.

Announcements

     The top two players in the country are to announce their decisions tonight on ESPNU at 7:30. Nerlens Noel has been expected to play for Kentucky but Georgetown has been called the leader today. It is reported that Noel's mother has strong connections with members of the Georgetown staff. Georges Niang, a Tilton School teammate, has mentioned Georgetown also. Shabazz Muhammad is expected to commit to UCLA.

Small Talk with Tony Nunn

     Tony Nunn picked up an offer from Tennessee today. I talked to him about his recruiting today.

     Joseph Thompson: Did you pick up an offer from Tennessee?
     Tony Nunn: Yes
      JT: Who have you been talking to?
     TN: Kent Williams
     JT: Who is on your list?
     TN: I have offers from Tennessee, Cincinnati, ECU, UNCC, Virginia Tech. My list is Miami, UNC, Stanford, Oklahoma, Wake Forest and Alabama.
     JT: What's the most important factor in your decision?
     TN: How good of a program the school is and the environment around the school.
     JT: Have you made any visits?
     TN: I haven't at this time.
     JT: When are you going to make your decision?
     TN: October 12, my birthday.

Recruiting Notes

• Drexel may land former Missouri commit Aaron Scales
• Juwan Parker is down to Memphis, Marquette, Vanderbilt,Georgia, and Tulsa
• South Carolina offered 2013 duo Hakim Santil and Tyler Roberson
• Jonathan Givony says that Kentucky point guard Marquis Teague is "100% gone"
• Drake transfer Rayvonte Rice has heard from Missouri and a number of other schools
• 2014 PF Cliff Alexander has interest from Kentucky
• Stanford has entered the recruiting for JUCO PF Andrew Young, Texas A&M and Kentucky interested
• Ian Baker in not committed to Providence. Baker held an offer from South Carolina
• Troy Williams talked to John Calipari today. Williams is expected to choose between Kentucky and North Carolina soon.
• Nerlens Noel had 16 blocks in a game today.He will commit on Wednesday. 
• Tennessee offered 2013 PF Tony Nunn today

Texas A&M Commitment

     Junior College transfer Fabyon Harris has committed to Texas A&M. Harris averaged 17.1 points per game to go with 1.9 steals per game for Southern Idaho. Harris was also considering Kansas, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Oklahoma State. Kansas was the only one of those schools not to offer.

Oriakhi Sets Visit Date

     Alex Oriakhi has set a visit to Kentucky for April 20th per CBS. Oriakhi had a visit with Missouri yesterday.

Oriakhi Visits Schools

     UCONN transfer Alex Oriakhi visited Missouri today. Missouri is likely the front runner for Oriakhi.
 The McDonald's All-American also lists Duke, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio State, UNC-Charolette, and Xavier. Oriakhi also visited Xavier today.