2013 Recruits

[gulfgator]

Getting Randle could make UF the team to beat, seems to really like Billy.

C'mon my man, you could be the "Orange Julius" of the Gator nation

[StrangeGator]

Originally Posted by jeffphillips21

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

I know Embid is probably out. Last I read about Johnson, he hasn't even started the process yet and won't make any official visits until after his season is over. If he is out, I'm guessing Syracuse is the leader.

[don23lucia]

Kansas won a significant recruiting battle, receiving a verbal commitment from four-star center Joel Embiid (Cameroon/The Rock). Bill Self's program edged out Florida and Texas for Embiid's commitment, which he announced Tuesday, less than 24 hours before the early signing period was to begin.


Embiid, a 6-foot-11 native of Cameroon, is not currently in the ESPN 100, but will make his debut in January when the rankings are re-evaluated after the summer he had. New to basketball, Embiid was learning the ropes before emerging late in the summer and then showing well in front of college coaches in the fall. It's reasonable to consider him a top-20-level recruit.


Embiid's commitment moves Kansas' Class of 2013 to second behind Kentucky.




More From ESPNRecruitingNation
Kansas' Class of 2013 received another boost with the signing of four-star center Joel Embiid. Story

• KU's Class: Up to second

Following a visit to Kansas, Embiid knew the Jayhawks would be difficult to beat.


"When I was visiting schools I wanted to go and see what they got," Embiid said. "After my visit I knew that Kansas was good. Luc talked to some people in the NBA and they said that the player development was good at Kansas."


The "Luc" Embiid referred to is Milwaukee Bucks forward Luc Richard Mbah a Moute. Also a native of Cameroon, Mbah a Moute served as a mentor to Embiid once the center graduated from the "Basketball Without Borders" program.


Embiid did a lot of homework. As a developing big man, he switched high schools this year -- from Montverde (Fla.) Academy to The Rock School (Gainesville, Fla.) -- in search of more playing time, and his college approach was measured. In the end, it came down to player development.


"For me, it was the first thing," Embiid said. "It's not about playing time. I'll get playing time if I'm ready. The first thing was the development. After looking and seeing what they've done I think Kansas is the best fit for me."


Justin Harden, Embiid's coach at The Rock, sees a hungry, intelligent diamond in the rough.


"It's his ability to learn and pick up stuff," Harden said. "Sometimes when kids are new to the game ... he's picked up the game faster than some of the guys I've had. His combination of size, athletic ability and coordination is something."


Embiid's more prospect than player at this stage. His senior season is big on a number of fronts. For starters, he's got to continue his development, which has been steady since the spring. He'll also need to establish himself in terms of consistency and production. This will be his first full season of organized basketball in which he's counted on to produce. The young center sees the big picture. He's hungry and patient.


"I would say I look forward to playing games against big guys my size," Embiid said. "I want to learn and make it to league."

[don23lucia]

Coveted power forward Julius Randle (Dallas, Texas/Prestonwood Christian Academy) will ultimately choose between Texas, Florida, Kentucky, NC State, Kansas and Oklahoma as the place where he plays college ball, and while it's never a good idea to rule out UK coach John Calipari when it comes to recruiting elite talent, at least one expert believes Randle won't end up in Lexington.

The Wildcats already have secured commitments from three of the top six recruits in the ESPN 100, and pledges from Marcus Lee and Derek Willis give them two power forwards in their 2013 class. That hasn't stopped them from recruiting Randle and Aaron Gordon, though, and the question now becomes whether either of the high-profile power forwards will be willing to battle for minutes and sign with the title-contending Wildcats.

In the case of Randle, ESPN's No. 4 recruit in 2013, Dave Telep of Recruiting Nation boldly predicts today that he ends up elsewhere.

- Joe Kaiser



Dave Telep
Bold prediction: Randle won't end up at Kentucky

"Randle won't join the Harrison twins in college. I know what everyone's saying, that they all wouldn't mind playing together. When the Miami Heat put its Big Three in motion, it helped that LeBron, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh were good friends. But I think it would be an upset if the three best players in Texas wind up at Kentucky."

[gatordd]

Randle is going to be a Gator or a Longhorn. My money is on the good guys.

[REM08]

Originally Posted by gatordd

Randle is going to be a Gator or a Longhorn. My money is on the good guys.

Everyone DOES seem to be saying Florida or Texas. I think I'd lean Florida also. I imagine tupac could come up with quite a post were Randle to consciously choose Texas to play basketball at.

[Osiris_DPM]

As of now, I do not think Randle will pick Texas.

#SWAG

[gatorcal]

Originally Posted by don23lucia

"...Luc talked to some people in the NBA and they said that the player development was good at Kansas."

The "Luc" Embiid referred to is Milwaukee Bucks forward Luc Richard Mbah a Moute. Also a native of Cameroon, Mbah a Moute served as a mentor to Embiid once the center graduated from the "Basketball Without Borders" program.

"For me, it was the first thing," Embiid said. "It's not about playing time. I'll get playing time if I'm ready. The first thing was the development. After looking and seeing what they've done I think Kansas is the best fit for me."

Guess Luc forgot about those 2 a$$-whoopins that Donovan's big men put on he and his UCLA buddies.

[unclepaulie]

Randle will not sign or commit in the early period but we are looking real strong with this highly touted player. I am very excited and we never know how these things go but strong strong chance on him.

[InstiGATOR1]

Here is an article by Jeff Borzello at CBSsportsline.com:

http://www.cbssports.com/collegebask...mitted-players

It predicts for various UF prospects:

Jabari Parker (No. 2)

Considering: Michigan State, Duke, Florida, BYU, Stanford

Parker does not plan on making a decision in the next few weeks, as he still plans to visit BYU and Stanford. Could Florida make a run?

Prediction: Michigan State

Julius Randle (No. 6)

Considering: Florida, Texas, Kentucky, North Carolina State, Kansas, Oklahoma

Kentucky has faded somewhat in Randle's recruitment, with Texas and Florida in the lead. Visits to NC State and Kansas are on the docket.

Prediction: Texas

Dakari Johnson (No. 8)

Considering: Florida, Syracuse, Kentucky, Georgetown, Kansas, Ohio State

The elite big man only reclassified recently, so his recruitment hasn't revved up too much. Florida, Kentucky, Syracuse and Georgetown are heard the most.

Prediction: Syracuse

[don23lucia]

Florida head coach Billy Dononvan announced the signing of two top flight prospects on Wednesday.

ESPN 100 prospects Kasey Hill (Eustis, Fla./Montverde Academy) and Chris Walker (Bonifay, Fla./Holmes County) - both ranked in the top 10 in the 2013 classs - officially signed their letters of intent with the Gators.

Donovan's class ranks 5th on ESPN's RecruitingNation.

[don23lucia]

Originally Posted by InstiGATOR1

Here is an article by Jeff Borzello at CBSsportsline.com:

http://www.cbssports.com/collegebask...mitted-players

It predicts for various UF prospects:

Is this the same guy that Kenny Boynton called a clown or something to that affect?

[InstiGATOR1]

BTW, my guess is:

1. Parker will come down to UF and BYU. If he goes to college, I am guessing he picks BYU. [Clearly I do not see this as the expert conventional wisdom does.]

2. Randle, I agree it is likely UF and UTx. I think he picks UF, the safer pick for him.

3. Johnson, I think it is just way way way too early in the process to know where he will pick.

[don23lucia]

Originally Posted by InstiGATOR1

BTW, my guess is:

1. Parker will come down to UF and BYU. If he goes to college, I am guessing he picks BYU. [Clearly I do not see this as the expert conventional wisdom does.]

2. Randle, I agree it is likely UF and UTx. I think he picks UF, the safer pick for him.

3. Johnson, I think it is just way way way too early in the process to know where he will pick.

I agree with you, but I feel we have a better shot at Parker than people think.

I think we end with both Parker and Randle.

I said in this thread or another thread that Johnson didnt even have us listed till after the summer circuit. He is a kid from the Northeast and I think he ends up with Syracuse. However he is playing ball this year with Hill so anything could happen should we lose out on either Randle or Parker.

Does anyone know what happened to Keith Frazier did we withdraw the offer from him or did he cut us down at one point in August he had us listed as his favorite?

[REM08]

Originally Posted by don23lucia

I agree with you, but I feel we have a better shot at Parker than people think.

I think we end with both Parker and Randle.

I said in this thread or another thread that Johnson didnt even have us listed till after the summer circuit. He is a kid from the Northeast and I think he ends up with Syracuse. However he is playing ball this year with Hill so anything could happen should we lose out on either Randle or Parker.

Does anyone know what happened to Keith Frazier did we withdraw the offer from him or did he cut us down at one point in August he had us listed as his favorite?

That would be unreal. While I want Randle at UK, it'd be fun to see a Walker, Hill, Randle, Parker class.

I think it was Jeff Goodman that Boynton called out though.

[don23lucia]

It would be crazy, lets be real they could go and play anywhere in the country with any program they choose and be successfull. I just feel like with Parker his dad had said that they want him to go where his skill set would best be utilized and I feel like the best place for that to take place is at Florida.

With Randle it seems like we are just the flavor or the week so far I havent heard anything from his camp either. Its all speculation at this point two months ago no one thought that he would eliminate UNC or Duke and he has already done that so we shall see what happens.

I think we are in good position right now with Hill, Walker, DFS, and Harris coming next year.

[GatorLurker]

Originally Posted by don23lucia

I think we end with both Parker and Randle.

I like the way you think.

That would be a fun class to see for a year. That would be an unbelievable class to see for two years.

[Osiris_DPM]

Originally Posted by GatorLurker

I like the way you think.

That would be a fun class to see for a year. That would be an unbelievable class to see for two years.

May as well go ahead and eliminate part 2 of the above statement from your thoughts

[InstiGATOR1]

Originally Posted by don23lucia

I agree with you, but I feel we have a better shot at Parker than people think.

I think we end with both Parker and Randle.

I said in this thread or another thread that Johnson didnt even have us listed till after the summer circuit. He is a kid from the Northeast and I think he ends up with Syracuse. However he is playing ball this year with Hill so anything could happen should we lose out on either Randle or Parker.

Does anyone know what happened to Keith Frazier did we withdraw the offer from him or did he cut us down at one point in August he had us listed as his favorite?

1. I could see UF getting Parker and Randle. My thought on UF and BYU is that he fits them better than MSU and Duke.

2. Yeah Keith Frazier is an odd situation. I thought he and UF parted ways months ago, but from time to time his name comes up.

[InstiGATOR1]

Randle updated his USA Today blog on signing day:

http://www.usatodayhss.com/news/arti...oma-recruiting