Gator Country

don23lucia · 11-01-2012, 09:11 AM

We're coming down the homestretch, streaking toward the early signing period, which begins Nov. 14 and runs through Nov. 21. We know that not every guy on this list is going to sign early, but some will. The purpose of this composition is to point out which programs are prime contenders for the ESPN 100 players who have not yet made a verbal commitment or have decommitted and opened up their recruitment.

We've added four-star Joel Embiid (Gainesville, Fla./The Rock School) to this list, even though he's not currently in the ESPN 100. That'll change in January when the rankings are re-evaluated. Also included is Nigel Hayes (Toledo, Ohio/Whitmer), who got bumped from the 100 when a pair of 2014 stars jumped back into the 2013 end of the pool.

Florida
Top targets: SF Jabari Parker, PF Julius Randle, C Joel Embiid, SG Keith Frazier

Florida is the only school involved with both Randle and Parker. The Gators have been bumping into Kansas a lot on the recuiting trail (see Randle and Embiid).

don23lucia · 11-04-2012, 10:25 AM

Thanks to a pair of top 10 ESPN 100 prospects, Florida's Billy Donovan has already put together one of the top recruiting classes in the country.

With local products and AAU teammates Kasey Hill (Eustis, Fla./Montverde Academy) and Chris Walker (Bonifay, Fla./Holmes County) already on board, the Gators have one of the best point guards and power forwards in the country heading to Gainesville next year.

This weekend, the rich will look to get richer as the Gators host No. 2 senior Jabari Parker (Chicago/Simeon) officially and No. 9 junior Justise Winslow (Houston/Saint John’s) unofficially.

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John F. Rhodes for ESPN.com
Jabari Parker is ranked No. 2 overall in the 2013 class.Parker, of course, long held the title of the best overall prospect nationally in the Class of 2013 until Andrew Wiggins (Thornhill, Ontario/Huntington Prep) recently reclassified. This will be Parker's third official visit after seeing Michigan State and Duke the last two weekends.

While Parker’s trip to Duke reportedly made a big impression on him, there's a lot to like about what Florida has to offer. The skilled 6-foot-8 forward would fit in nicely with Hill’s ability to attack off the dribble and Walker’s high-wire act around the rim. The combination of Walker and Parker would be particularly intriguing along the Florida frontline because they would give Donovan the versatility to go with a big lineup -- playing them at the four and three, respectively -- or go small with them at the five and the four.

The fact that Parker could very easily be a one-and-done lottery pick isn’t lost on anyone, most of all the staff at Florida, and that’s why they have no problem bringing in Parker and Winslow on the same weekend. Winslow is rated the No. 2 small forward prospect in the ESPN 60.

Assuming Parker will already be in the NBA two years from now, Winslow would have every opportunity to step into the starting spot. If Parker remained in Gainesville, that’s where the versatility of a Parker/Walker frontline would be crucial as it would allow all three talented youngsters to play together in Florida’s frontcourt -- a point that undoubtedly will come up at some point this weekend.

Regardless of how well this weekend may go for Florida, there is no expectation of a commitment in the next 48 hours. This is Winslow’s latest unofficial visit after taking recent trips to Baylor, Arizona and UCLA while previously seeing Kansas, North Carolina, Stanford, Texas A&M and South Florida.

As for Parker, he appears poised to play this process out. He’ll take his fourth official visit (to Stanford) next weekend before making his final trip to BYU later this month. The possibility also exists that Parker could delay college by two years -- or bypass it altogether -- if he elects to take his Mormon mission following his high school graduation, after which he would then be eligible to go straight to the NBA draft according to the collective bargaining agreement.

But even without the likelihood of a commitment, there's no doubt this is a big weekend for Florida hoops.

http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/ncbr...parker-winslow

jagervol01 · 11-05-2012, 08:32 PM

Austin Nichols committed to Memphis today. His sister is a student at Tenn and we thought we had him. She kept tweeting that he was coming but I guess she is either a tease or doesn't know her bro that well. Lol Anyway their class is looking just as good as yours at this point.

gatorfan12 · 11-05-2012, 08:42 PM

Well Dakari Johnson just reclassed to 2013. This is very interesting. His top 4 are Syracuse, UK, UF, and Georgetown. I'm not sure whether I want him or Joel Embiid. Thoughts?

StrangeGator · 11-06-2012, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gatorfan12

Well Dakari Johnson just reclassed to 2013. This is very interesting. His top 4 are Syracuse, UK, UF, and Georgetown. I'm not sure whether I want him or Joel Embiid. Thoughts?

They're not even close. We take Johnson in a heartbeat if we can get him. He's already the best center in the 2013 class.

StrangeGator · 11-06-2012, 05:41 PM

I like this scenario because we can slow play Embid and go full bore after Johnson. We take Embid if Johnson goes elsewhere and still go after Okafor for the 2014 class. Rivals has him ranked #1 overall in the 2014 class and I believe he's already visited UF. Must be a great student too. I think you have to be in the 90th percentile on the ISAT to get into Whitney Young. They have a good hoops program, plus I think he plays for the Mack Irvin Fire during AAU season.

GatorsGators · 11-06-2012, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StrangeGator

I like this scenario because we can slow play Embid and go full bore after Johnson. We take Embid if Johnson goes elsewhere and still go after Okafor for the 2014 class. Rivals has him ranked #1 overall in the 2014 class and I believe he's already visited UF. Must be a great student too. I think you have to be in the 90th percentile on the ISAT to get into Whitney Young. They have a good hoops program, plus I think he plays for the Mack Irvin Fire during AAU season.

If we slow play Embiid, then we won't get him. You don't wait on UF when you have an offer to Kansas.

I honestly don't know who I would take between the two. Johnson is undoubtedly better RIGHT NOW, but Embiid may have the edge on Johnson in potential. Embiid would also fit our system better. It'll be interesting to see how Donovan handles this situation.

don23lucia · 11-07-2012, 11:00 AM

Unless Johnson has fallen in love with UF we werent even in the picture six months ago. His roots are in the northeast and my bet is that he will go there for college as well.

don23lucia · 11-08-2012, 07:52 AM

Joel Embiid, a 7-foot, 220-pound senior center from the Rock School in Gainesville, Fla., has cut his list to three schools.

“Down to Florida, Kansas and Texas,” Embiid, who has been playing basketball for less than two years, texted SNY.tv Wednesday night after Tweeting it.

He had also visited Marquette and Virginia. DePaul, Wake Forest, UCLA, GW and SMU were also involved.

Embiid is being assisted in the recruiting process by fellow Cameroon native Luc Mbah a Moute of the Milwaukee Bucks.

“We’re going to narrow it down to three schools next week,” Mbah a Moute told the Racine (Wis.) Journal-Times last week. “We’ll be looking for an opportunity to play a lot right away. He hasn’t played that long and needs to continue his development. And, of course, we’re going to look at academics and what these schools can offer him.”

don23lucia · 11-08-2012, 09:09 AM

Jabari Parker, the nation's No. 2 senior out of Chicago's Simeon Career Academy, does not have a favorite in the recruiting process, and teams after him might not see him in the Dec. 1 opener due to a fracture in his right foot.

Parker has visited Michigan State, Duke and Florida the past three weekends and still plans to visit Stanford and BYU in November. His final visit will be to BYU the weekend of Nov. 24. His father, Sonny Parker, said his son will commit after the early signing period (Nov. 14-21) and then sign in the spring.

"They've all been good," Sonny Parker said of the visits. "(Florida) coach (Billy) Donovan has a good team. They got some good players. Florida, they're doing well in all sports, and the weather was nice (last weekend.) Michigan State is good. You got coach (Tom) Izzo. You got Coach K (Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski.) They've all won national championships. He's selected some good schools.

"I talked to him the other day. He's got to choose what is going to be the right fit for him. That's where we're at. Once we get through the visits, he'll start deciding where everyone is, start doing the comparisons."

Aside from making visits, Parker has been busy with rehab on his right foot, which he fractured during the summer. According to Sonny Parker, his son will have another MRI taken on Nov. 19, and there is a possibility he won't be ready for Simeon's season opener on Dec. 1.

"We don't know a target date," Sonny Parker said. "He's still in a boot. He hasn't played in four months. He has got to get back and perform and get in shape. It doesn't give him much time from the 19th to the 1st. He's never been out this long. The worst thing to do with an injury is come back too soon and now you reinjure it and it could be his season. We're in no rush. We'll probably know something on Nov. 19."

As a junior, Parker was named the ESPNChicago.com Player of the Year, Illinois' Mr. Basketball and the national Gatorade Player of the Year. He averaged 19.5 points, 8.9 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 3.3 blocks and 1.4 steals a game.

Parker was ESPN's No. 1-ranked player until Andrew Wiggins reclassified from the Class of 2014 to the Class of 2013 recently.

StrangeGator · 11-08-2012, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by don23lucia

Unless Johnson has fallen in love with UF we werent even in the picture six months ago. His roots are in the northeast and my bet is that he will go there for college as well.

We're in his top three, along with Syracuse and Kentucky, and we were the only one to offer. That was before he reclassified. Syracuse is the only northeastern team in his top three and they still haven't offered him a ship, nor has Kentucky. Kentucky only has one ship left for this class and they're still waiting to hear from Wiggins and Randall. I don't know if he's fallen in love with UF, but we appear to be in good shape.

REM08 · 11-08-2012, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StrangeGator

We're in his top three, along with Syracuse and Kentucky, and we were the only one to offer. That was before he reclassified. Syracuse is the only northeastern team in his top three and they still haven't offered him a ship, nor has Kentucky. Kentucky only has one ship left for this class and they're still waiting to hear from Wiggins and Randall. I don't know if he's fallen in love with UF, but we appear to be in good shape.

Kentucky only has one remaining scholarship if absolutely everyone (that can return) returns. I think a conservative estimate is having 2 or 3 early entrees - which would mean 3 or 4 remaining schollys.

That being said, I dont' know anything about UK's interest in this player.

StrangeGator · 11-08-2012, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by REM08

Kentucky only has one remaining scholarship if absolutely everyone (that can return) returns. I think a conservative estimate is having 2 or 3 early entrees - which would mean 3 or 4 remaining schollys.

That being said, I dont' know anything about UK's interest in this player.

Wasn't thinking about roster limits, but the 5/8 rule. Aren't there already four committed for the '13 class? Either Wiggins or Randle would put KY at five.

With Noel a likely one-and-done and Cauley waiting in the wings, Johnson was probably a good target for '14, but not a need for this year. Though it looks like you guys have already offered Okafor. That will be an interesting recruiting battle next year. His high schools is about six or seven miles from where I live, so I hope to see him play a few games this year.

REM08 · 11-08-2012, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StrangeGator

Wasn't thinking about roster limits, but the 5/8 rule. Aren't there already four committed for the '13 class? Either Wiggins or Randle would put KY at five.

With Noel a likely one-and-done and Cauley waiting in the wings, Johnson was probably a good target for '14, but not a need for this year. Though it looks like you guys have already offered Okafor. That will be an interesting recruiting battle next year. His high schools is about six or seven miles from where I live, so I hope to see him play a few games this year.

The 5/8 rule doesn't exist anymore (I forget that also sometimes). Already 5 committed for 13 (willis, harrisons, lee, young).

I agree with what you seem to be thinking with Johnson though. My uninformed guess might be Syracuse or you guys.

don23lucia · 11-10-2012, 10:14 PM

The basketball early signing period begins next Wednesday, and RecruitingNation has got you covered with daily coverage of all the signings and commitments during the jam-packed week. We kick off our coverage today with a Twitter mailbag. We’ve enlisted the services of ESPN National Recruiting Director Paul Biancardi to shed some light on some of your recruiting questions leading up to the early signing period.

Let’s get to your questions.

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Nick Koza
Aaron Gordon is the second-ranked PF and No. 7 overall prospect in the ESPN 100.
Q: Where do you think Aaron Gordon will go? -- @LobbyBuu
A: He plays for the Oakland Soldiers AAU team and has former and current teammates playing everywhere. This weekend he visits Kentucky, where Kyle Wiltjer plays, and Nick Johnson is at Arizona. I think it will be between Arizona and Kentucky at the end of the day. And don’t count out Cal. Jabari Bird is committed to California.

Q: Does UF have a chance with Julius Randle and Jabari Parker? -- @GatorNation_15
A: Billy Donovan has done a tremendous job recruiting both guys. Here’s one thing to note. Randle played USA Basketball for Donovan and they won a gold medal together. Randle told me he credits Donovan for helping him see the game better. They developed a good bond and Julius spoke highly of him. They both really like Donovan. You get either of them along with Chris Walker and Kasey Hill -- that’s three top 10 guys. That’s an amazing class and would be one of Donovan’s best classes ever.

Q: Who should Kentucky focus on recruiting: The old or new 2013 kids? And what doors does this open for certain teams (Ex: NC State)? -- @tCannada
A: Of the reclassified guys, Kentucky is only pursuing Wiggins and Johnson. They should continue with their pursuit of the 2013 kids and these two guys as well. Don’t forget, each year Kentucky loses a lot. All of their targets can make an impact next year except Johnson, he needs more development before he impacts things at that level.

I think NC State will land BeeJay Anya, maybe during the early period.

Q: When do you think Brandon Austin will commit and what are UConn’s chances? -- @B_WRecruiting
A: Most likely, he will commit before the end of the Early Signing Period. Some of the schools in the mix for him are Providence, UConn, Texas, Georgetown, Temple and Rutgers. I think UConn is involved, but I think the other schools are in deeper with him. I’m going to go with Texas as the favorite.

Q: What other recruits are likely to commit to Ohio State? -- @bobbyjewell101
A: Nigel Hayes is the guy they have the best shot at getting. He’s from Toledo, the hometown of former Buckeye Jimmy Jackson. It’s between them and Wisconsin. His game in a nutshell: He’s a skilled combo forward who can shoot it, beat you off the dribble or spin away from defenders to score.

Looking at the ESPN 100, I know they’re trying with Andrew Wiggins, the no. 1 player in the country, Noah Vonleh after he reclassified and Dakari Johnson, the big guy. I think they’re going to work real hard to get one of those guys. Not sure if it will happen, but it’s a long time until April when those guys will commit.

Scott Kurtz for ESPN.com
Julius Randle is the No. 4 player in the ESPN 100 and has offers from KU, UK and Florida.
Q: Do the Sooners have a realistic shot with Julius Randle? -- @msturdy51
A: A lot of things would have to go right. Kentucky and Kansas would both have to get someone big. And there’s still Texas out there. The Sooners are a long shot; I wouldn’t put my mortgage on that one.

Q: When do you think Kennedy Meeks will announce his college choice? -- @ACblessed_7
A: Kennedy Meeks is warming up to his decision and it could be in the next week. Doesn’t mean he’ll pull the trigger, but I think he’s hot to make a decision. Roy Williams and Georgetown assistant Kenya Hunter were in the gym to see him Wednesday night. It’s a two-horse race for this stud of a center. Nobody has better hands than Kennedy Meeks.

Q: Point guard is a major issue for Arizona moving forward. Why haven’t they gone after one in 2013? -- @SterlinAndretti
A: I know Mark Lyons transferred there from Xavier and will be manning the point this season, but it's Duquesne transfer T.J. McConnell, a junior with two years of eligibility remaining, who will be the Wildcats' point guard of the future. And although they’re both shooting guards by nature, coach Sean Miller will most likely play Nick Johnson and Gabe York at point some in an attempt to groom them for a possible position change in the future.

http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/ncbr...l/post?id=4401

don23lucia · 11-10-2012, 10:15 PM

Florida
Top targets: SF Jabari Parker, PF Julius Randle, C Joel Embiid, C Dakari Johnson

The Gators added a top-tier target to their wish list this week when Johnson announced his 2013 reclassification. They're going to get one of these guys; the odds are in their favor. They are involved with too many good players to miss on all four.

unclepaulie · 11-11-2012, 08:34 AM

Randle looking good for Florida...

StrangeGator · 11-11-2012, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unclepaulie

Randle looking good for Florida...

Really? That would be awesome. Would like to see us add Johnson or Embid as well. That would be a formidable class.

**jeffphillips21** · 11-11-2012, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by don23lucia

Florida
Top targets: SF Jabari Parker, PF Julius Randle, C Joel Embiid, C Dakari Johnson

The Gators added a top-tier target to their wish list this week when Johnson announced his 2013 reclassification. They're going to get one of these guys; the odds are in their favor. They are involved with too many good players to miss on all four.

according to Bullis Dakari and Embiid likely out, so down to Parker and Randle. i think we have a better/legit shot at Randle.

Here's to hoping

rserina · 11-11-2012, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unclepaulie

Randle looking good for Florida...

Hopefully you are right on this one, too. Randle always seemed like a long shot to me because we have never done well with kids in that part of the country (great in northeast, midwest, less so Texas/SW), but his relationship with Donovan and the prospect of playing with Hill/Walker has us in position. He sure would fit nicely at the five for us.