2015 Team Texas Trio Visits Texas A&M

Austin Grandstaff

Austin Grandstaff

Dennis Hogg

     The extremely talented 2015 Team Texas trio Austin Grandstaff, Dennis Hogg, and Elijah Thomas visited Texas A&M today. While on the visit, they all picked up an offer. Thomas said the visit was "pretty good". He also stated "I like the way they prepare their players for the long run. They increase their athletic ability and how they battle in workouts." Grandstaff also enjoyed the vist, he said the the visit was "great." He also added "we played with the guys and held our own." Grandstaff said the he has had a lot of family graduate from Texas A&M and he liked the campus and the facilities.

2014 PF Talks Texas A&M Visit

     JC Washington, a 2014 power forward from Houston, Texas, visited Texas A&M yesterday. Washington said that he had a "great" visit. When asked what stood out, Washington stated "The relationship the coaches have with their players." He has interest from Marquette, Kansas, Kansas State, Arizona, Texas A&M, and Iowa.

Recruitment Picking up on 2013 Point Guard

 @K_Smoove05

    There was hype surrounding 2013 PG Kendal Harris going into the AAU circuit this year, but everyone wanted to know if the hype was real. Kendal had sat out the previous AAU season due to a broken ankle. The 6'4" point guard held offers from Creighton, Houston, Missouri, North Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Washington State, Marquette, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, and Tulane. However, Harris' recruitment has picked up since then.

      After a great showing at the Adidas VIP Tournament, new LSU coach Johnny Jones offered Harris. Harris liked Jones and LSU assistant Shawn Forrest when they were at North Texas. Soon after newly hired Kansas State coach Bruce Weber offered Harris.

     In the prestigious Real Deal at The Rock tournament, Kendal was watched by many schools including Virginia, which had just shown interest at that point. At Real Deal, Harris was watched by SMU, South Carolina, LSU, Baylor, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Kansas State, Arkansas,  Tulsa, and Washington State.
     Harris is great at leading the team, handling the ball, and on-ball defense. He has great speed with the ball, which allows him to attack the basket with ease. Harris needs to be more consistent from the three point line.
     Since Real Deal, only Arkansas has offered. Kendal plays with the Urban DFW Elite along with top 100 players Jordan Mickey and Karviar Shepard. Depending on his performance, top schools like Kansas will offer Harris and he will have work on his goal of reaching the NBA with some of the top coaches in the country.

Small Talk with Shawn Smith

      Shawn Smith of Jacksonville, Florida committed to Texas A&M this spring. Smith is rated as a 3-star prospect and the 30th best point guard in the class of 2012. Smith is one of five player Billy Kennedy has signed for next year. I talked with Shawn today, here is our conversation:

           Joseph Thompson:What made Texas A&M standout? 

           Shawn Smith: My relationship from my recruiter, Coach Sip, and Coach Kennedy, and once I committed I got so much love from the fan base and future teammates/family. That made me sign my LOI.

             JT: Did you visit?

            SS: I didn't. I know the campus is great. My main goal was developing trust with everyone and I feel that I've reached that goal.

            JT: Who played the biggest role in your decision making process?

            SS: My Mom. She loves the coaching staff and felt it was a good fir for me.

            JT: When did Texas A&M start talking to you?

            SS: Last year.

            JT: Do you think your style of play will fit into Coach Kennedy's offense?

            SS: Certainly, I watched a few games last year.

            JT: What are your goals for freshman year?

            SS: Get that NCAA title. Shock the world after we're conference champions.

            JT:   Any other goals for your college career?

            SS: Become a better player, mature my game, and be able to play on the next level.

            JT: When will you arrive on campus?

            SS: 29th of this month. (May)

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.