Look back/ahead to the Top 100 College Basketball recruits in the SEC

[jbcarol]

Michael Carvell ‏@RecruitingAJC  16h
RT @AnthonyDasher1: JaKeenan Gant's AAU coach tells me if Mizzou were to release him, he would probably go to Indiana or Louisville.

[jbcarol]

Ben Roberts ‏@NextCats  Apr 18
From yesterday: @jerrymeyer247 shares some new insights on UK's four basketball signees for 2014 http://bit.ly/1eF6vme

[yraciv]

Ben Frederickson ‏@Ben_Fred  24h
TSU transfer MJ Rhett, who was interested in the #Vols at one point, is headed to Ole Miss. This might have helped:

http://instagram.com/p/mvGotWEjNq/

White Girl Wednesday strikes again!

[jbcarol]

Anthony Grant is keeping another Alabama 2014 recruit in state, landing a commitment from three-star small forward Jeff Garrett. The 6-foot-7 Gadsden, Ala. native announced his commitment via Twitter on Sunday morning.

Garrett, who attends Oldsmar Christian School (Fla.) becomes the fourth commit in the Crimson Tide 2014 class. He joins four-star point guard Justin Coleman, guard Devin Mitchell and small forward Riley Norris. Garrett, Norris and Coleman are all from Alabama.

The newest Crimson Tide commit had offers from Louisiana Tech, Murray State and Alabama...

http://collegebasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/04/20/alabama-lands-commitment-from-2014-small-forward-jeff-garrett

Cecil Hurt ‏@CecilHurt ·21 hrs
2015 power forward Danta Hall of Luverne has committed to Alabama. First reported by Bama Online.

[jbcarol]

Ben Roberts ‏@NextCats  9h
Junior college guard Torian Graham ... RT @Torian_Graham: Just signed to the university of Houston truly blessed #R.I.P MOM

Former UK target

[jbcarol]

Matt Jones ‏@KySportsRadio ·10h
UK hiring Barry Rohrssen as new assistant BB coach could also lead to a new 5 star commitment in the near future http://bit.ly/1jovwOB

2016 6-4 Waterbury Guard, Mustapha Heron is currently committed to Pitt.

[jbcarol]

Knott County Central All-State guard Camron Justice, a top candidate for 2015 Mr. Basketball honors, committed to Vanderbilt on Sunday night.

The 6-foot-3 Justice, an exceptional shooter and perimeter scorer, made his decision after an unofficial visit to Vanderbilt over the weekend.

http://www.courier-journal.com/story/recruiting/2014/04/21/camron-justice-commits-to-vanderbilt

[jbcarol]

Ben Roberts ‏@NextCats ·7 hrs
Florida will have an in-home visit with Jackson Davis on Wednesday. Billy Donovan and John Pelphrey both expected in town.

'14 3-star Lexington Lafayette 6-8 PF

Ben Roberts ‏@NextCats ·3h
NEW: UK assistant Kenny Payne was in Georgia again today for a visit with 2015 center Doral Moore http://bit.ly/1lxercm

Ben Roberts ‏@NextCats ·7 hrs
NEW: UK assistant coach John Robic will visit 2016 in-state star Quentin Goodin today http://bit.ly/1nCNG36

[jbcarol]

Not Jerry Tipton ‏@NotJerryTipton ·12h
There are currently more McDonald's All-Americans on UK's roster than there were during the entire 12 years of the Tubby & Billy Clyde eras.

[jbcarol]

Ben Frederickson ‏@Ben_Fred ·16 hrs
#Vols coach Donnie Tyndall, on @SportsAnimal99, says Philip Cofer is the UT signee he has not yet talked to.


6-7 3-star PF from Atlanta is a Vol legacy.

[jbcarol]

Rick Ray @RickRay1  ·  3h 
Ricky Bobby's dad said "you are either 1st or last".  Well, I am about to be 1st AND last when I meet with a recruit today in Jackson!

'15 Jackson Callaway SG Malik Newman is number one in his class. 3-star Malc Evans is Newman's teammate.

Guards Chris McIntosh, Cole Garner, and Carter Holmes are the top ranked uncommitted players from Jackson in the '14 class.

[jbcarol]

Devin Booker ‏@DevinBook  4h
Crazy Kentucky gets hated on for having too many 1 and done players and for too many people returning

[jbcarol]

Steve Walentik ‏@Steve_Walentik  4h
#Mizzou signees Jakeenan Gant and Namon Wright ranked No. 52 and No. 73, respectively, in http://Rivals.com 's final 2014 rankings.

[jbcarol]

ESPN 5-star players committed or signed with SEC schools

http://espn.go.com/college-sports/basketball/recruiting/playerrankings

6. Trey Lyles  6-10, 255  PF  Indianapolis Arsenal Tech   Kentucky

9. Karl Anthony-Towns, Jr.  6-11, 235  C  Metchuen, NJ St. Joseph   Kentucky

18. Devin Booker  6-5, 185  SG  Moss Point   Kentucky

23. Devin Robinson  6-8, 180  SF  Chesterfield Christchurch   Florida

25. Tyler Ulis  5-8, 150  PG   Matteson Marian Catholic   Kentucky

[jbcarol]

Adam Zagoria ‏@AdamZagoria ·1 hr
Myles Turner Wraps Up Home Visits, Will Huddle With Family Over Weekend http://zagsblog.com/recruiting/myles-turner-wraps-up-home-visits-will-huddle-with-family-over-weekend/ ...


UK will not be in the mix for the top big man.

[jbcarol]

Fox 59 out of INDIANAPOLIS — With teenagers making a lot of negative news in the city this year, a rising star on the east side is stepping out in a positive way.

Trey Lyles brought his laid-back style and 6'10″ frame to Clarence Farrington Elementary School Friday. Lyles talked to kids about the power of positive thinking and the ways you can succeed.

"I want to be a positive role model for kids and for the community," Lyles said

Lyles' fame is growing, after he helped lead Arsenal Tech High School to its first-ever basketball championship and committed to play for Kentucky in the fall.

He did all of that while maintaining a 3.8 GPA.

"Your teammates, your friends, teachers, whatever you have, if you work with them and collaborate with them, you'll be successful," Lyles told the kids...

(video at link)

[jbcarol]

Eric Bossi ‏@ebosshoops ·10h
SMU went full staff for Jimmy Whitt on Friday night. Arkansas' Mike Anderson, K-State's Bruce Weber also there to see him.

[jbcarol]

Ben Frederickson ‏@Ben_Fred ·18 hrs
Talked w/ State Fair CC (Sedalia, Mo.) coach Kevin Thomas. He said Kevin Punter hopes to visit UT. Not sure it will be this weekend, though.

[jbcarol]

Evan Daniels ‏@EvanDaniels ·20 hrs
Jackson Davis discusses his commitment to Butler ... http://scouthoops.scout.com/2/1397217.html


Bama thought they had Davis.

[jbcarol]

Frank Cusumano @Frank_Cusumano  ·  2h
Sources tell us tonite Jakeenan Gant, Georgia's Mr. Basketball, will attend #Mizzou next year if assistant coach Tim Fuller is retained.

[jbcarol]

Shea Dixon @Sheadixon  ·  3h 
A commitment from No. 1 SF @BenSimmons25 has #LSU in the Top 10 for 2015. The @247Sports Recruiting Rankings: (FREE) http://247sports.com/Season/2015-Basketball/CompositeTeamRankings ...

[jbcarol]

Ben Frederickson ‏@Ben_Fred  4m
In three days, Malik Beasley has been offered by Cuonzo Martin, Bruce Pearl and Donnie Tyndall ...There's a joke in there somewhere.

[jbcarol]

 Jeff Borzello @jeffborzello  ·  16h 
Top-25 junior Antonio Blakeney listed Louisville, Kansas, UNC, Florida, USC, Florida State, Mizzou, Providence, LSU: http://cbsprt.co/1kqtMYB

[jbcarol]

Jeff Goodman ‏@GoodmanESPN  2h
Kevaughn Allen has committed to Florida, sources told ESPN.

[jbcarol]

GoVolsXtra ‏@GoVolsXtra 4h
Junior college prospect Kevin Punter will visit UT this weekend, says he will pick between UT and Missouri

Ben Frederickson ‏@Ben_Fred 7h
Kevin Punter says he will make his decision before his May 16 graduation from State Fair CC...

[jbcarol]

 Jimmy Whitt @JimmyWhitt33  ·  11h

Just got offered by the University of Illinois #Illini #Blessing 🙏

[jbcarol]

Danjel Purifoy, state of Alabama's top basketball prospect, finally cut from high school team

Bibb County head coach Russ Wallace told AL.com Wednesday he is unsure whether his star will transfer schools, but he has essentially cut him from the team due to lack of participation.

"He's not doing the things he needs to do to be a part of my program," Wallace said. "When you don't show up for spring practice, you're not going to play for me. I don't care if he's the best player in the state or the worst, that's just how I work."

Wallace said Purifoy attended the first spring practice two weeks ago. The next day, the pair traveled to Montgomery for the Mr. and Miss Basketball Awards Banquet and Purifoy has since missed four consecutive practices.

"He's not at practice and there's no explanation from anybody," Wallace said. "He sits in my class every day and doesn't participate in anything we do.

"He won't be playing for me next year. He has a whole lot of making up to do, but I'm not going to treat him any differently than anybody else on my team."

Update: Purifoy told AL.com via text message he will not return to Bibb County next season because he is moving...

http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2014/04/danjel_purifoy_states_top_bask.html

to parts unknown

Wonder if he would be a candidate to transfer in college if things were not working out to his preference?

[jbcarol]

Ben Roberts ‏@NextCats 1m
[Finally] Scout rankings for 2014: 4. Karl-Anthony Towns, 11. Trey Lyles, 20. Tyler Ulis, 29. Devin Booker http://scouthoops.scout.com

All UK

Ben Roberts ‏@NextCats 1m
Karl-Anthony Towns jumped 7 spots to No. 4 in the final Scout rankings. He finishes Top 5 in Rivals, Scout and 247Sports.

16. Devin Robinson, UF
44. Brandone Francis, UF
46. Alex Robinson, A&M
57. Elbert Robertson, LSU
58. Chris Chiozza, UF
59. Jakeenan Gant, MU
72. Namon Wright, MU
90. Temarcus Blanton, SC
100. Matthew Fisher-Davis, VU

[jbcarol]

Roc Nation ‏@RocNation 54m

#RocNationSports is proud to welcome James Young (@realjamesyoung) to the family! pic.twitter.com/JzlOHEVFno



Adam Zagoria ‏@AdamZagoria 19m
Kentucky's James Young Signs With Jay-Z...

[jbcarol]

 Evan Daniels @EvanDaniels  ·  1h

The ACC has 24 five & four stars headed to their league in 2014. Six more than next best conference -- PAC 12.

[jbcarol]

Jimmy Whitt @JimmyWhitt33  ·  11h

Just got offered by the University of Illinois #Illini #Blessing 🙏

Alex Kline @TheRecruitScoop  ·  38m

RT @JeffRabjohns: Nebraska offered 2015 guard Jimmy Whitt of KC Run GMC (MO) today.

[jbcarol]

UK's four-player group is listed as the No. 2 recruiting class in the country behind Duke, which will also add four McDonald's All-Americans to its roster.

Kentucky and Duke will feature nine McDonald's All-Americans each next season, barring any unexpected departures over the summer.

http://www.kentucky.com/2014/05/01/3222462/kentuckys-2014-recruiting-class.html

[jbcarol]

Austin Kim @AustinKKim  · 

Hickman guard Jimmy Whitt adds three offers today (so far): Wake Forest, Nebraska and now Wisconsin. Big summer looming for #Mizzou target.

[jbcarol]

Jeff Goodman ‏@GoodmanESPN 1h

Devonte Graham told ESPN that departure of Naadir Tharpe yesterday factored into his decision to choose Kansas over NC State.


But which came first: the knowledge that Graham would choose KU or personal decision by Tharpe to transfer?

[jbcarol]

Ben Frederickson @Ben_Fred  ·  8h
Big Sexy is cruitin' 7-foot-5 2015 C Tacko Fall RT @RealKevinNash: @Vol_Hoops Might want to give this big man a look

[jbcarol]

Pat Dooley ‏@pat_dooley  May 2
"@TheRecruitScoop: 2014 Ransom Everglades (FL) PF Trey Mourning - son of Allonzo Mourning - has committed to Georgetown, a source says."
from Gainesville, FL


Florida thought they were in the mix.  Billy D. has done well with sons of former pro athletes.

[Rzbakfromwaybak]

Ben Frederickson ‏@Ben_Fred  24h

TSU transfer MJ Rhett, who was interested in the #Vols at one point, is headed to Ole Miss.  This might have helped:

http://instagram.com/p/mvGotWEjNq/

Yeah, believe you are correct.  Those 4 "assistant coaches" pictured, may have "played" a significant role in his final recruiting decision. 

[jbcarol]

Class of '15 Top Recruits Committed to SEC Schools

4. Ben Simmons          6-8 PF  LSU
15. Charles Matthews  6-4 SG  UK
84. KeVaughn Allen     6-2 SG  UF
88. Kevarrius Hayes     6-9 C   UF
89. Joseph Toye         6-6 SF  VU

[jbcarol]

Elite prospect in the 2015 class:

MALIK NEWMAN
Combo guard
Jackson, Mississippi (Callaway)
6'3″, 174 lbs.

Top247: No. 1 overall, No. 1 PG
247 Composite: No. 1 overall, No. 1 PG
Rivals: No. 1 overall, No. 1 SG
ESPN: No. 2 overall, No. 1 SG
Scout: No. 2 overall, No. 1 SG



Website: www.iammaliknewman.com

[jbcarol]

 Alex Kline @TheRecruitScoop  ·  3h

2015 guard Jawun Evans cut his list to Clemson, Illinois, USC, Virginia Tech, Tennessee, Texas, Oklahoma State & Cincinnati, per @courtcred.

[jbcarol]

The fathers speak out on behalf of half of UK's "displaced" class of 2014.

Karl Towns Sr. knows his son was criticized by some because rather than play the normal AAU circuit, he spent time playing with the Dominican National team...

"I think he did well," said Towns Sr. "He showed his versatility and what he brings to the table every night is going to be different than you have seen at Kentucky because of his size and ability to pass, shoot the 3, post up. He's a complete team player and we are looking forward to him getting started at Kentucky soon. He has a lot of skill sets for a 7-footer.

"Because he didn't play AAU, a lot of people did not get to see him play against elite talent. Then when you see him play, you realize everything you hear about him is believable. He proved in those (all-star) games that he is just as talented as anyone. You hear about the kid, but you want to see him play and a lot of people were impressed by his skill set and what he brings to the game."

The Kentucky signee was the Star-Ledger New Jersey Player of the Year after leading St. Joseph to the state title again while averaging 21 points, 14 rebounds and six blocked shots per game.

"He's all about team and winning."

Kentucky signee Devin Booker is being touted as one of the best shooters coming into college basketball next season.

"That is his strong point along with his IQ. The good thing about him is that if he does miss a few, he doesn't lose confidence in his shot. He continues to shoot it." Melvin Booker, the player's father, said. "It's not any pressure on him to be known as a great shooter. His form is almost picture perfect. If you know basketball and see a guy shoot you can tell if he is a shooter. Even if he has an off night, you can still tell he is a great shooter.

"I don't just want him labelled as a great shooter because there is so much more to his game than shooting. But shooting is his strong point. If you can initiate the offense and create for others on top of making shots, then you are a complete player and what is what he tries to be."

Melvin Booker and another assistant coach had to take over the head coaching duties at Moss Point midway of the season when the head coach resigned. However, Melvin Booker said it was not that hard because the head coach had always asked his advice on various things.

"I always had a voice on the team, so it wasn't much different," Melvin Booker, a former Big Eight Player of the Year at Missouri, said.

[jbcarol]

Elite prospect in the 2015 class:

MALIK NEWMAN
Combo guard
Jackson, Mississippi (Callaway)
6'3″, 174 lbs.

Top247: No. 1 overall, No. 1 PG
247 Composite: No. 1 overall, No. 1 PG
Rivals: No. 1 overall, No. 1 SG
ESPN: No. 2 overall, No. 1 SG
Scout: No. 2 overall, No. 1 SG



Website: www.iammaliknewman.com

Evan Daniels ‏@EvanDaniels  10h
Diamond Stone told me that he and Malik Newman are definitely a package deal.

5-star Milwaukee 6-10 C

[jbcarol]

Meet your Maker (YouTube highlights at link)

Ben Roberts ‏@NextCats 4h

Thon Maker: "Defense is always going to take care of itself. ... If you can't defend, you can't play anywhere else." http://bit.ly/1tjZIlf

Back in January, the man handling the recruitment of African basketball star Thon Maker said he hadn't even started asking college coaches whether his player had scholarship offers from their schools.

Maker, a 7-footer with one of the most unique skill sets in the country, was in the middle of his sophomore season of high school then. His guardian, Edward Smith, was having regular conversations with college coaches, but he and Maker were more focused on developing his game than leaping into the recruiting process.

That's starting to change.

"It gets serious now," Maker said Friday night.

Maker was born in the Sudan — in an area that is now part of South Sudan — and left his home country at age 5 to escape a civil war.

[jbcarol]

274: In a matter of less than an hour, four-star point guard Shelton Mitchell (Mouth of Wilson, Va./Oak Hill Academy) announces via Twitter that he will no make a decision between Vanderbilt and Missouri today after all. The Commodores remain the team to beat for the Class of 2014 top 100 prospect.

[jbcarol]

274: In a matter of less than an hour, four-star point guard Shelton Mitchell (Mouth of Wilson, Va./Oak Hill Academy) announces via Twitter that he will no make a decision between Vanderbilt and Missouri today after all. The Commodores remain the team to beat for the Class of 2014 top 100 prospect.

With Dai-Jon Parker being their lone upperclassman in the backcourt, Vanderbilt is going to be young on the perimeter in 2014-15. That's been known for quite some time, yet what has also been known is the fact that head coach Kevin Stallings needed depth especially at the point guard position.

Vanderbilt filled a need on Friday, as Oak Hill Academy point guard Shelton Mitchell announced that he's committed to the SEC school. Mitchell, a four-star prospect in the 2014 class, was originally a Wake Forest signee and chose the Commodores over Missouri.

In the last week Mitchell took official visits to both schools, and he also held an offer from California.

[jbcarol]

Evan Daniels ‏@EvanDaniels  53m
Thon Maker's guardian Ed Smith told http://Scout.com  there's a possibility he reclassifies to 2015. Depends if he gains weight.
from Tavares, FL

My gut says Thon Maker ends up in 2015 class. They are preparing him academically to make that move.

[jbcarol]

UK Equipment Staff @UKequipment  ·  2h
Just received the largest pair of @nikebasketball shoes we've ever ordered for @KentuckyMBB summer practice. #WeAreUK



Karl-Anthony Towns @KATis32  ·  56m
@UKequipment @nikebasketball @KentuckyMBB why thank you for finding my shoes. I been looking for them lol #hardtomiss

[jbcarol]

According to his Twitter account, 2015 small forward Brandon Ingram received an offer from Florida on Tuesday. Ingram is a 6-foot-7, 170-pound prospect from Kinston (NC) Kinston. He is rated as a five-star prospect and is the No. 14 player in the nation in the 247Sports recruiting rankings.

[jbcarol]

Breaking down the elite prospects in the 2015 class

DIAMOND STONE
Center
Milwaukee, WI (Dominican)
Ht: 6-10 | Wt: 246

Top247: No. 8 overall, No. 1 C
247 Composite: No. 4 overall, No. 1 C
Rivals: No. 3 overall, No. 1 C
ESPN: No. 5 overall, No. 2 C
Scout: No. 3 overall, No. 1 C

[jbcarol]

Matt Jones @KySportsRadio  ·  21h
Kentucky's one 2015 basketball commitment just tumbled in the ESPN recruiting rankings: http://bit.ly/1ot3qWM

Charles Matthews, UK's only commit in the 2015 class, found himself further down the ESPN rankings when a new ESPN100 was released today. Matthews fell 18 spots from No. 12 to No. 30 overall, and from the fourth-ranked shooting guard to eighth.

http://espn.go.com/college-sports/basketball/recruiting/playerrankings

2. Ben Simmons  6-9 PF  LSU
54. KeVaughn Allen 6-3 SG  UF
57. Donta' Hall   6-8 C   Bama
92 Kevarrius Hayes 6-9 C  UF