Coach K’s relentless pursuit impresses Okafor’s AAU coach
Mac Irvin Fire club basketball coach Mike Irvin doesn’t know which college Young star Jahlil
Okafor is leaning toward, but he knows which college coaches spent their precious July hours following Okafor, the top player in the national class of 2014.
‘‘[Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski] was at every game,’’ Irvin said. ‘‘He was the only head coach that was really following Jahlil all over the place.
“In my mind, Duke has a really good chance to land [Okafor]. Coach K has done a good job of recruiting him.’’ Irvin said he believes Tyus
Jones, the Minnesota point guard who is a package deal with Okafor, is destined for Duke.
‘‘I think there is a great chance Tyus is going to Duke,’’ Irvin said. ‘‘So if [Okafor and Tyus] are going to school together . . . ’’
On Tuesday, Okafor’s father said his son definitely hadn’t made up his mind about a college.
Staying local
The other main attraction for the Mac Irvin Fire this summer was Curie big man Cliff Alexander, who is considered one of the top five players in the national class of 2014.
‘‘It was like traveling with rock stars going to each of these events [with Alexander and Okafor],’’ Irvin said. ‘‘It was always a packed house with everyone wanting to see them.’’
Michigan State was considered the leader for Alexander the last couple of years, but Kansas — which now has former Illinois and SMU assistant Jerrance
Howard on board — might be the favorite now.
Irvin stressed Alexander still is considering Illinois and DePaul.
‘‘Illinois is definitely in there,’’ Irvin said. ‘‘And DePaul has got a chance. I’m not sure about Cliff ’s timeline for a decision. He’s had a lot of schools come in late, like Kentucky, Memphis and Arizonza.’’
Next star
St. Rita rising junior point guard Charles Matthews doesn’t play for the Mac Irvin Fire, so it’s interesting to hear Irvin’s take on Matthews, who plays for Meanstreets. Matthews has jumped into the top 10 of a lot of national rankings, and Duke is showing serious interest.
‘‘This whole game is based on potential, and he has it,’’ Irvin said. ‘‘He’s very athletic. He can do everything and doesn’t have a weakness. He’s a special talent. You just say, ‘Wow,’ when you see the things he can do.’’
Matthews hasn’t garnered a lot of local headlines, but that is likely to change. The Mustangs are expected to be a top-five or top-10 team in the 2013-14 season.