Hoops recruits near deadline
Wednesday marks the final day of the NCAA’s spring signing period for basketball. USA TODAY Sports looks at the six players in the ESPN 100 who have yet to announce their decision. C JARRETT ALLEN School: Saint Stephen’s Episcopal (Austin) ESPN 100 ranking: 15 Considering: Texas, Kentucky, Kansas, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Houston.
The 411: The word has always been that it would be quite the chore to lure the 6-10 big man away from the Lone Star State, and our most recent intel suggests Texas is strong with Allen. The top-ranked center in the ESPN 100, Allen is a gifted rebounder, shot-blocker and finisher who has improved year to year. He has said the biggest factor in his decision is how well the coaches develop their big men. C MARQUES BOLDEN School: DeSoto (Texas) ESPN 100 ranking: 16 Considering: Duke, Kentucky.
The 411: This one is the hardest to call. A strong case could be made for why Bolden, the No. 2 overall center in the ESPN 100, would choose Duke (Mike Krzyzewski, No. 1 team in the country, most people’s favorite to win it all next April, in need of quality big men, friends headed there in his class, probable instant playing time, etc.) or Kentucky (John Calipari’s reputation for sending players to the NBA, friends headed there in his class, probable instant playing time, etc.). Bolden has told USA TODAY Sports plenty of times about the stress of this decision, which keeps him up sometimes at night. One thing is for sure: This recruiting battle will only intensify the Duke-Kentucky rivalry. DeSoto announced Monday that he’d make his announcement Thursday. PG CHARLIE MOORE School: Morgan Park (Chicago) ESPN 100 ranking: 61 Considering: Georgia Tech,
Illinois, LSU, SMU.
The 411: Moore decommitted from Memphis when Josh Pastner left to take over as head coach at Georgia Tech. In the last week, Moore has made visits to LSU, SMU and Georgia Tech; he took this past weekend to weigh the pros and cons and could make a decision soon. Whoever lands the 5-11 speedster is getting a gem. Moore opened his senior season with a 55-point game and never looked back after that. F TAUREAN THOMPSON School: Brewster Academy (Wolfeboro, N.H.)
ESPN 100 ranking: 75 Considering: Syracuse, Seton Hall, Michigan State.
The 411: The general consensus is Syracuse has the edge, but Michigan State is making a strong push for Thompson. Spartans coach Tom Izzo watched Thompson post 27 points, 13 rebounds, three assists and two blocked shots en route to claiming the MVP award of the Jordan Brand Classic regional game last month. Thompson’s camp has expressed interest in setting up a visit to East Lansing; obviously, that would have to happen soon. F ROMELLO WHITE School: Wheeler (Marietta, Ga.) ESPN 100 ranking: 77 Considering: Virginia Commonwealth, Auburn, Georgia, Iowa State. The 411: White recently got a release from his letter of intent to Georgia Tech. Last year, he decommitted from Tennessee after coach Donnie Tyndall was fired. As for his next landing spot, White has kept things under wraps since leaving the Yellow Jackets, but most think it’s between Georgia and Iowa State. F DESHAWN CORPREW School: Quality Education Academy (Winston Salem, N.C.) ESPN 100 ranking: 91 Considering: Texas A&M, Kansas, LSU.
The 411: Corprew is one of the nation’s best-kept secrets. At 6-6, he handles the ball like a guard and combines that skill with speed and quickness, which allow him to get into that lane whenever he wants. He was scheduled to visit Texas A&M last weekend.