2013 Recruits

[don23lucia]

Julius Randle Out 3 Months With Fractured Foot; Parker Visits BYU
November 26th, 2012 3:13 pm
Top 2013 prospect Julius Randle will miss three months with a fractured right foot suffered this weekend at the Thanksgiving Hoopfest and will undergo surgery Tuesday.

“It’s a minor setback, but Julius is a fighter,” his mother, Carolyn Kyles, told USA Today. “We’ve already begun to set up rehabilitation for him and he’s a naturally a little down now, but he’ll be back before you know it. We’re just staying positive about everything. We know he’ll come back stronger than ever.”’

Randle, a senior power forward at Prestonwood Christian, sustained the injury during the first half of the team’s loss to Duncanville (TX) on Saturday.

“He’ll be ready for the postseason all-star games if not sooner,” said Randle’s Godfather, Jeff Webster. “It’s all a part of the game. These things happen. Now the hard work begins, and it’s a challenge for him. The doctor says three months, but he’s the type of player that will work hard to be ready before that. We’re not rushing anything, but we’ve got work to do.”

Randle is considering Kentucky, Kansas, Texas, Oklahoma, Florida and N.C. State and said he had initially planned to visit Texas and Kansas in December and N.C. State in January. It remains unclear if those visits will go forward as planned.

He is the second high-profile 2013 commit to sustain an injury, following Chicago Simeon forward Jabari Parker, who is battling a fractured right foot first sustained with the USA U17 team in July. Parker will likely miss Simeon’s opener Saturday.

“He more than likely won’t play in the opener,” Sonny Parker, Parker’s father, told ESPNChicago.com. “He has to get in shape condition-wise, get his timing and rhythm. Once he starts, it’ll probably take a week or two. We just don’t know when the time frame is in terms of him playing. He continues to do his rehab. There’s no rush. When he gets healthy, he’s going to play. When he’s not healthy, he’s not going to play.”

Meantime, the 6-9 Parker visited BYU this past weekend for the BYU-Cal State Northridge game.

His father said BYU remains a real possibility.

“Remember he belongs to the Church of Latter-day Saints,” Sonny told ESPNChicago. “They got one of the winningest programs in the last 4-5 years if you look at their record. They average 25 wins a year. They don’t get the recognition of others. Their conference isn’t that bad. Remember they had the player of the year in Jimmer Fredette. They have a real good program.”

He is also considering Duke, Michigan State, Florida and Stanford.

Complicating his recruitment is that Parker could potentially go on an LDS mission after high school.

“We haven’t made a decision,” Sonny Parker told ESPNChicago. “He’s part of the church and everything. He hasn’t really talked about it yet. That’s going to be his decision whether to go on a mission. His brother went on one. He’s familiar with the missions.”

Photos: Rivals, ICON SMI

[don23lucia]

http://hoopmixtape.com/2012/11/juliu...oopfest-recap/

[bposs]

Originally Posted by don23lucia

http://hoopmixtape.com/2012/11/juliu...oopfest-recap/

But can he dunk?

[don23lucia]

The SEC was the dominant league in recruiting during the early signing period. The conference crushed its counterparts in terms of top-10 and top-25 signings, and it wasn't just Kentucky. Florida signed a pair of top-10 players, Arkansas' two additions are highly rated, and LSU landed its biggest recruit in years with the nation's No. 15 prospect.



This is quite the collection of hardwood talent for a league known as a football powerhouse. Compared to the other BCS conferences, you'd have to grade the SEC out as the top dog this fall. It didn't sign the most ESPN 100 players, but the depth is outstanding, and it's elite at the top with seven signees in the top 15.



With the early signing period having ended last Wednesday, it's a good time to take stock of how all the SEC teams have fared so far in 2013 recruiting. Think of it like midterms, with the spring signing period representing final exams.



We're giving the SEC an overall recruiting grade of A, and below are team-by-team grades for all of the conference's 2013 recruiting classes after the early signing period. Make sure to also check out our updated class rankings to see how the SEC's top classes stack up against the nation's best.

Note: Teams are as of conference alignment for the 2012-13 season and not future conference realignment.



Kentucky
There wasn't much time needed to come up with this grade. The Wildcats are on track to finish with the nation's No. 1 class for the fourth time in five seasons, and this group is one player away from a truly historic effort. Regardless, the Wildcats have the No. 1 and No. 2 shooting guards in Aaron Harrison (Richmond, Texas/Travis) and James Young (Rochester, Mich./Rochester). Mix in the nation's best point guard, Andrew Harrison (Richmond, Texas/Travis), and a pogo stick athlete in power forward Marcus Lee (Antioch, Calif./Deer Valley), and you've got an unmatched contingent not just in the SEC but in the country.



Florida
It's not the Gators' best class ever (see 2004), but Billy Donovan signed the top point guard he's ever landed in Kasey Hill (Eustis, Fla./Montverde Academy). As the No. 2 point guard in the 2013 class, Hill is explosive and a great finisher. He'll start from the moment he steps on campus. His travel team partner, power forward Chris Walker (Bonifay, Fla./Holmes County), is a fellow top 10 player headed to Gainesville. Walker is powerful and a force at the rim on both ends of the floor. We also expect to hear more from the Gators in the coming months because they're still involved with a number of prospects, including No. 2 recruit Jabari Parker (Chicago/Simeon), No. 4 Julius Randle (Dallas/Prestonwood Christian) and No. 12 Dakari Johnson (New York, N.Y./Montverde Academy).



LSU
New coach Johnny Jones isn't messing around. He went into Texas for a top-50 player in power forward Jordan Mickey (Arlington, Texas/Prime Prep), whose commitment set the tone for what would be a fruitful fall recruiting period. Then Jones attacked his own territory and scored a serious commitment from elite power forward Jarrell Martin (Baton Rouge, La./Madison Prep). Only North Carolina and Arkansas signed better 1-2 frontcourt punches than the Tigers. Martin, who was believed to be a late signee with no favorite until LSU closed him right before the early period began, is the homegrown star Jones needed for street cred in the state. The Tigers also signed a third ESPN 100 prospect in point guard Tim Quarterman (Savannah, Ga./Johnson).



Arkansas
Arkansas landed a serious NBA prospect in power forward Bobby Portis (Little Rock, Ark./Hall). Already dangerous because of his athletic ability, Portis completed the package this past summer when he became a strong rebounder. The Hogs also signed ESPN 100 center Moses Kingsley (New Albany, Miss/Huntington Prep), who was the other half of an AAU national champion frontcourt alongside Portis. Kingsley is one of the best shot-blockers in the senior class. Last year Arkansas replenished its guards; this time around it was nothing but bigs for Mike Anderson. Both of these big guys are right up Anderson's alley because they have length and can run the floor, which means they'll get a chance to learn how to press.



Missouri
Frank Haith sure did capitalize on last season's Big 12 tournament championship. In his first SEC recruiting class, Haith looked awfully comfortable in three different parts of the country. The Tigers went to Tennessee for ESPN 100 power forward Johnathan Williams III (Memphis, Tenn./Southwind), Michigan for ESPN 100 point guard Wes Clark (Romulus, Mich./Romulus) and Arizona for forward Torren Jones (Chandler, Ariz./La Lumiere School). Clark could be the key because he's a potential successor to Phil Pressey, but Williams was a big score in the early period because Michigan State was also involved.



South Carolina
Topping Frank Martin's wish list this year was ESPN 100 scoring guard Sindarius Thornwell (Lancaster, S.C./Oak Hill), who didn't waste much time once the school year began in making his decision. The Gamecocks beat Clemson and a host of regional schools for Thornwell's signature. Thornwell can flat-out put the ball in the bucket, and he's physically ready to beast in the lane. South Carolina also added center Desmond Ringer (McDonough, Ga./Eagles Landing) and legacy wing Justin McKie (Columbia, S.C./Irmo), the son of B.J. McKie.



Alabama
Alabama tried to add as many talented players as it could early on. But as it turned out, the two guys the Crimson Tide eventually signed had been committed to the program for months (in the case of ESPN 100 center Jimmie Taylor [Greensboro, Ala./Greensboro]) and years (in the case of power forward Shannon Hale [Johnson City, Tenn./Christ School]). The Tide landed two interior players, but two very different guys. Taylor is a long, rangy Jarvis Varnado play-a-like, while Hale is a strong forward with a solid perimeter game who will keep defenders honest when he's facing the basket.



Tennessee
It's no consolation that power forward Austin Nichols' sister is a Volunteer; this staff wanted Nichols, but he selected Memphis. However, AAU teammate Robert Hubbs (Newbern, Tenn./Dyer County), an ESPN 100 wing, is on board and a major recruit for Cuonzo Martin. Hubbs' stock heated up last spring, and by the time July rolled around, he was a national-level must-sign recruit. Small forward A.J. Davis (Norcross, Ga./Buford), the son of former NBA player Antonio Davis, gives the Vols frontcourt versatility and point guard Travon Landry (Madison, Ala./Huntington Prep) will be a solid backup in Knoxville.



Texas A&M
If the football team can keep small forward Derrick Griffin (Rosenberg, Texas/Travis) in the fold, the Aggies will be in solid shape. Griffin is ranked the No. 1 tight end in the country and possesses uncanny leaping ability. Three-star power forward Tavario Miller (Houston/Wheatley) and small forward Devante Fitzgerald (Stone Mountain, Ga./Tucker) round out the three-man contingent for A&M.



Mississippi State
There isn't a program in the SEC in need of bodies more than the Bulldogs. Rick Ray took over a ship that wasn't sinking, but it certainly was taking on water. The rebuild begins with this class and centers around a tough point guard Ray will hand the reins to in I.J. Ready (Little Rock, Ark./Parkview). Ready is one of those guys who will be an extension of his coach and an outstanding chemistry guy. Center Fallou Ndoye (Henderson, Nev./Findlay Prep) is huge but unproven, and two juco frontcourt players round out the four-man class in Travis Daniels and Quantel Denson.



Vanderbilt
If you're only going to sign one player, might as well make it a good one. The Commodores scored a signature from ESPN 100 center Damian Jones (Baton Rogue, La./Scotlandville), an up-and-coming big man from the travel circuit scene. Jones was coveted by most of the Big 12, but he had an academic bend to his decision-making process in choosing Vanderbilt.



Auburn
Though little is known about Auburn's two towering inside recruits, we do know they are big. Ronald Delph (Winter Haven, Fla./IMG Academy) is 7-0, 230 pounds while Benas Griciunas (Henderson, Nev./Findlay Prep) is 6-10. But the star of the class is 5-9 point guard Tahj Shamsid-Deen (Decatur, Ga./Columbia). Tony Barbee does not mind small point guards, and TSD is cut from the cloth of a scoring lead guard.



Ole Miss
At the 2012 Reebok Breakout Challenge, center Dwight Coleby (Piney Woods, Miss/Piney Woods) was the rage. Andy Kennedy won the recruiting battle to land him, and the Rebels intend on playing him right away and giving him free rein to block as many shots as he can. Kennedy also used international connections for a pair of frontcourt players to round out the three-man class: center Sebastian Saiz and small forward Janari Joesaar.



Georgia
Mark Fox's Bulldogs tapped into Oklahoma and nabbed shooting guard Juwan Parker (Tulsa, Okla./Booker T. Washington). Locally, the Dawgs signed 5-9 point guard J.J. Frazier (Ludowici, Ga./Faith Baptist Christian) to provide backcourt depth to the program.

[don23lucia]

Aside from Parker, one of the more intriguing recruiting battles has centered on Julius Randle (Prestonwood Christian/Dallas). ESPN's No. 4 overall prospect, a 6-foot-9 power forward, is currently looking at Kentucky, Florida, Kansas, NC State, Oklahoma and Texas.

It's too wide-open to say where he'll attend, but ESPN's Paul Biancardi believes the Gators would be a good option.

"When Randle played with Team USA this past summer, Florida's Billy Donovan was the head coach of the team," Biancardi said. "The two developed a relationship and bond there. Randle has said publicly that Donovan has helped him read the game better and slow himself down so he could be more productive. Florida was one of his first visits, along with a trip to Kentucky. Prior to that UF wasn't a major factor. After that trip, the Gators are in on his recruiting."

If Randle was to go with Florida, he'd fit in seamlessly. Erik Murphy graduates after this year, and the freshman would take his spot in the strong frontcourt. He'll team down low with seniors Patric Young and Will Yeguete. Those two aforementioned players would take immediate pressure off him in the post and he can do what he does best: score.

[UFG8rGuy3283]

Originally Posted by don23lucia

Aside from Parker, one of the more intriguing recruiting battles has centered on Julius Randle (Prestonwood Christian/Dallas). ESPN's No. 4 overall prospect, a 6-foot-9 power forward, is currently looking at Kentucky, Florida, Kansas, NC State, Oklahoma and Texas.

It's too wide-open to say where he'll attend, but ESPN's Paul Biancardi believes the Gators would be a good option.

"When Randle played with Team USA this past summer, Florida's Billy Donovan was the head coach of the team," Biancardi said. "The two developed a relationship and bond there. Randle has said publicly that Donovan has helped him read the game better and slow himself down so he could be more productive. Florida was one of his first visits, along with a trip to Kentucky. Prior to that UF wasn't a major factor. After that trip, the Gators are in on his recruiting."

If Randle was to go with Florida, he'd fit in seamlessly. Erik Murphy graduates after this year, and the freshman would take his spot in the strong frontcourt. He'll team down low with seniors Patric Young and Will Yeguete. Those two aforementioned players would take immediate pressure off him in the post and he can do what he does best: score.

Assuming Patric Young stays as the above states (which we will argue on this board all year, game-to-game on if he should or is ready), there sure is a log jam in the front court. Harris, WY, C. Walker, D. Walker, Finney-Smith, Prather....add Randle to that mix and wow. Can you imagine the practices next year with those guys battling for playing time next year?

Whether we get Randle or not, and I sure hope we do, we are ridiculously talented next year. It's hard to imagine the future getting brighter than it is now.

[don23lucia]

CHICAGO -- Chicago Simeon Career Academy forward Jabari Parker, the nation's No. 2 senior, said Friday he will attend college rather go on a Mormon mission next year and that two local schools could have been options if it wasn't for coaching changes.

Parker previously mentioned the possibility of going on a mission. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints recently lowered the minimum age for going on missions to 18. Parker could have bypassed college, gone on a two-year mission and entered the NBA draft. He dispelled that scenario Friday.

Waddle & Silvy

Simeon's Jabari Parker joins Waddle & Silvy to discuss when he'll make his college choice, and why Illinois and DePaul are no longer on his list.

More Podcasts »
"I know for a fact I'm going to college my first year," Parker said on "The Waddle & Silvy Show" on ESPN 1000.

Where Parker will attend college is still up in the air. He's down to five schools, and has made official visits recently to Duke, Michigan State, Florida and BYU. He also plans to visit Stanford.

Parker said Friday that in-state schools DePaul and Illinois could have been right there as well if they hadn't made coaching changes. DePaul fired Jerry Wainwright in 2010 and replaced him with Oliver Purnell. Illinois fired Bruce Weber last season and brought in John Groce.

"I think (high school players are leaving Chicago) because people have dreams and they don't want them to be crushed by a little thing in college," Parker said. "Unfortunately, we as basketball players in Chicago leave and go and attend other universities.

"Like I said, DePaul, I put them on my list, and I was considering Illinois. The reason I took Illinois off was because I didn't know John Groce and his staff. DePaul, I really had a good relationship with Jerry Wainwright . . . Getting a new coaching staff just messed it up. The schools I picked, the coaches have been there a real long time."

Parker went as far as to say Illinois would have been on his final list if Weber was still there.

"They would," Parker said. "Me and Bruce, he's been recruiting me since seventh grade. He knows me probably more than any of the other coaches on the circuit right now."

Parker's college decision originally was expected in November, then was pushed back to December. He said Friday that it won't come now until January or February.

“
The reason I took Illinois off was because I didn't know John Groce and his staff. DePaul, I really had a good relationship with Jerry Wainwright before he resigned. Getting a new coaching staff just messed it up. The schools I picked, the coaches have been there a real long time.
”
Jabari Parker
"If I want to make my announcement in the winter, I'm probably behind schedule," Parker said. "I probably would need to be doing a little more work. I'm getting lazy. We're focusing on the team. ... In the winter, January, February, that's when I want to make my decision because I want to focus on the run and state championship."

Parker and Simeon are shooting for their fourth consecutive state title. It's a feat former Simeon player and current Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose never accomplished, and that's important to Parker.

"Winning three state championships (is my biggest accomplishment) because I [compare] myself with Derrick," Parker said. "I just try to be there, so I can one-up him every time. He's been successful and hopefully I can make it towards him, so I can't talk right now."

Parker may be trying to eclipse Rose's run at Simeon, but he also looks up to him. Rose tries to guide Parker, too.

"When I see Derrick, he just gives me a little advice about college and making my decision," Parker said. "Yeah, the guy is a great role model to me and a lot of guys in the city because we come from the same neighborhoods in the South Side. Having someone to look up to is real big, in the NBA, too."

Parker was made to feel like an NBA star himself on his recent visit to BYU. The Cougars fans made him a "Gangnam Style" parody video and printed 6,000-plus T-shirts, reading "Chicago to Provo," which were worn during the BYU game he attended.

"It was crazy," Parker said. "Just hearing the video and the people with the T-shirts, it was a little bit too much for me at the time. But like I said, let's have fun with it, let's make it a good experience. I'm just thankful to all the fans for putting the time and effort for doing that."

Parker said the visits haven't exactly made him favor one school.

"It's made it a little bit more confusing because you fall in love once you get on campus," Parker said. "You get a lot of love and praise from the coaches, and they don't really tell you anything. It's important for me to tell who is telling the truth and not."

Simeon opens its season Saturday in the Chicago Elite Classic at UIC, but Parker will miss it due to a foot injury, which he suffered during the summer. He is unsure when he will return.

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.

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

[don23lucia]

The early signing period is over, the high school season has begun, and it's time to settle in for our long winter's nap on recruiting intrigue until the spring, right?

Wrong. While only a handful of ESPN 100 prospects remain undecided, the talent left on the board is elite, with seven players left in the top 25 and four in the top 10. Prospects such as Andrew Wiggins, Jabari Parker, Julius Randle and Aaron Gordon are program-changers. And schools like Kentucky and Florida are looking to build on already-elite classes with plenty of irons left in the fire.

There are still major storylines to watch between now and the spring. Luckily, our panel of RecruitingNation experts is here to give you the scoop.


What will be the biggest recruiting storyline to watch between now and the spring signing period?
[+] Enlarge
Steven Maikoski-USA Basketball
Jabari Parker is the No. 2 overall player in the 2013 class.
Dave Telep: It has to be Parker. So many teams are all-in on him -- Duke and Michigan State set up their entire recruiting classes around him -- and he's a make-or-break guy for a number of major programs. I think his decision comes down to one big factor: Where can he win a national championship? That's why BYU and Stanford are in an uphill battle. The Florida Gators and Billy Donovan could be attractive with the incoming class they have and the transfers they have sitting out. Duke and Mike Krzyzewski would like to pair him with Rodney Hood and a slew of shooters. And then there's Michigan State's Tom Izzo. He has the advantage of being the closest school to Parker's home in Chicago. Mix in the fact that Parker is injured and we're waiting to see when he actually plays, and there's plenty of drama continuing to build with the Windy City's finest prospect since Derrick Rose.

Paul Biancardi: Kentucky and Florida will be the power brokers between now and the spring. Both programs are involved with the most elite-level players left on the board. The Wildcats are still in the mix with four major recruits (Wiggins, Randle, Gordon and Dakari Johnson), and the Gators are chasing three (Parker, Randle and Johnson). Florida has received official visits from Parker and Randle, and it looks as though the Gators will get an official visit from Johnson. Kentucky has received official visits from Randle and Gordon and hopes to land visits from Wiggins and Johnson during the season. If the Gators land any of the three they are after, it would be Donovan's best class ever at Florida. And if Kentucky grabs one of those four, it could go down as the best recruiting class of all time on paper.

Reggie Rankin: The one that I will keep a close eye on is how Parker's recruitment unfolds. Will Parker join another Chicago native in Coach K at Duke? Leave the Windy City for the Florida sunshine? Shock everyone and choose BYU or Stanford? Select the school closest to home and head to Michigan State? Parker is an immediate starter at any of these programs, not only because of his talent but also because his basketball IQ and feel for the game are at an elite level. BYU is my dark horse because Parker is very serious about his Mormon beliefs and he would be terrific paired with ESPN 100 recruits Nick Emery and Eric Mika. But I still give the Spartans the edge as a gut feeling. Another storyline to watch will be how Kentucky finishes its 2013 recruiting class. The Wildcats will likely land Wiggins or Gordon. Wiggins could have a potential Anthony Davis impact, and Gordon will remind John Calipari of Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, especially when it comes to his motor and ability to make winning plays. They may not get both, but I am predicting at least one.

Adam Finkelstein: Kentucky was the big story this fall, and the Wildcats will continue to be in the spring. With all the attention their class received during the early signing period, the pressure is on to see if Calipari can add Wiggins and potentially even another big name such as Randle, Gordon or Johnson. If he can, Kentucky would end up with a class that could be considered among the best ever. If he can't, the question becomes whether there is another school, such as Florida or Kansas, that could challenge Kentucky for the top spot in 2013.

[+] Enlarge
Steven Maikoski/USA Basketball
Aaron Gordon is the No. 7 overall player in the 2013 class.
Joel Francisco: It's obvious that the Parker and Randle commitments are program-changing decisions, but I'll exhibit some West Coast bias and stick with top 10 prospect Gordon. He recently narrowed his choices to Washington, Arizona and Kentucky, but I have a strong feeling that he'll stick out west. Although Kentucky is a recruiting juggernaut, for the Pac-12 to continue to climb back into the upper echelon of college basketball, the conference must land an elite recruit like Gordon. This looks to be a dogfight between Arizona and Washington. If Gordon heads to Tucson, there is a chance he'll be battling Brandon Ashley (if he doesn't go pro) and Rondae Jefferson for minutes. On the other hand, Washington needs a talent infusion, and Gordon could fill that need the moment he arrives on campus.

John Stovall: The biggest storyline remaining in recruiting is watching what develops with the unsigned seniors, specifically Wiggins, Parker, Randle, Gordon and Johnson. These are five program-changing talents. I can't remember the last time we had so much elite talent unsigned heading into the spring. You could argue that Wiggins, Parker, Randle and Gordon are the best players in the country period, and they are all still available. When these kids sign during the late period, they will have a huge impact on the class rankings and will change the immediate future of whichever program they choose.

Mike LaPlante: The two biggest stories I will be following, along with every other recruiting junkie, will be where the top three unsigned players in the class end up. Wiggins, Parker and Randle are all legitimate conversation starters as the most talented prospect in the nation, and each will be a major impact player as a freshman. If a program currently ranked among the top five in the class rankings lands any one of the three, that school would certainly be in strong position to secure the nation's No. 1 recruiting class. I am also interested to see if Kentucky and Florida's recruiting dominance in the early signing period translates into recruiting success for other programs in the SEC. Programs such as LSU, Arkansas and Alabama have already gotten off to an excellent start, but I want to find out what effect elite players choosing the SEC has on the remaining schools in what is traditionally considered a football conference with the hardwood being an afterthought

[don23lucia]

http://insider.espn.go.com/college-s...tball-recruits


Early predictions from ESPN

[don23lucia]

The hoops early signing period has come and gone, but still many questions linger about how teams will fill out their recruiting classes and where the top unsigned prospects will land during the spring period. Therefore, we’re back with another edition of Paul Biancardi’s mailbag. Our national director of recruiting is ready to answer your recruiting inquiries.

To participate in the next mailbag, tweet your questions to @RecruitingESPN or drop a question on our Facebook wall and Paul will try to respond to as many as possible on Fridays.

Now onto this week’s topics.

RecruitingNation@RecruitingESPN 29 Nov 12
Last call for hoops recruiting questions for tomorrow's @PaulBiancardi's mailbag. Tweet it to us by noon.
Brandon Walters@BWalters_11
@RecruitingESPN @PaulBiancardi how's Virginia Tech recruiting class look?
29 Nov 12 ReplyRetweetFavorite
Biancardi: The Hokies have one ESPN 150 prospect in Donte Clark signed, and I like him a lot. If you have watched Tech play this season, you've seen the way it likes to play speed ball -- very fast on offense. Clark is a natural scorer and fits that style perfectly. He’s best when the game doesn’t stop, just up-and-down play. When a play breaks down, Clark can make something positive happen. First-year Virginia Tech coach James Johnson also protected himself in the paint in this class by getting 6-foot-10 center Trevor Thompson (Indianapolis/St. John's NW Military Academy) and 6-8 post Maurice Kirby (San Tan Valley, Ariz./Basha). You have to have size to compete in a major conference like the ACC, and I like what the Hokies are doing. It looks very positive.



RecruitingNation@RecruitingESPN 28 Nov 12
Got hoops recruiting questions? Tweet it to us and we'll get it answered in @PaulBiancardi's Friday mailbag.
Ty Christian@Thee_Athlete
@RecruitingESPN @PaulBiancardi what's the average grades of a recruit?
28 Nov 12 ReplyRetweetFavorite
Biancardi:That answer varies from school to school. Each school has its own admission policy. For example, the Ivy League and programs like Boston College and Stanford adhere to a higher academic standard than most. Here’s some advice: The better your grades are as a recruit, the more opportunities you will have to go where you want. Poor grades simply limit your opportunities.


RecruitingNation@RecruitingESPN 28 Nov 12
Hoops signing period is just about over. Have any remaining recruiting questions for @PaulBiancardi's Friday mailbag? Send 'em this way NOW.
Cooper Karlin@Cooper_Karlin1
@RecruitingESPN @PaulBiancardi Do you think Kansas basketball has the best recruiting class despite being 2nd in the ESPN rankings?
28 Nov 12 ReplyRetweetFavorite
Biancardi: Although Kansas’ class is strong -- especially on the perimeter -- and welcomed size with the signing of Joel Embiid (Gainesville, Fla./The Rock School), it's ranking at No. 2 is a favorable placement. It will be pretty hard for any class to pass Kentucky's. As of now, only Florida is in a position to do that, and that’s if it gets two of the following three: Dakari Johnson (New York/Montverde Academy), Julius Randle (Dallas/Prestonwood Christian) or Jabari Parker (Chicago/Simeon).



RecruitingNation@RecruitingESPN 28 Nov 12
Got hoops recruiting questions? Tweet it to us and we'll get it answered in @PaulBiancardi's Friday mailbag.
C.Bedgood@GatorNation_15
@RecruitingESPN Where does Florida stand with Julius Randle ?
28 Nov 12 ReplyRetweetFavorite
Biancardi: When Randle played with Team USA this past summer, Florida's Billy Donovan was the head coach of the team. The two developed a relationship and bond there. Randle has said publicly that Donovan has helped him read the game better and slow himself down so he could be more productive. Florida was one of his first visits, along with a trip to Kentucky. Prior to that UF wasn’t a major factor. After that trip, the Gators are in on his recruiting.

He’ll have plenty of time to focus on recruiting now after his recent injury. He’s visiting Texas and Kansas in December and will make a trip to NC State in January.


Brian Pilatzke via Facebook: Is Rysheed Jordan still considering Syracuse? Assuming Michael Carter Williams leave for the NBA, Syracuse will only have 3 scholarship guards on the roster (two freshman and a redshirt sophomore) only one of whom is considered a good ball handler.

Biancardi: Jordan has it down to UCLA, St. John's, Syracuse and Temple. This floor general from Philadelphia Vaux Roberts has said staying close to home might be an important factor in his decision. But at the end of the day, it will come down to playing time and the relationship he has with the head coach in addition to proximity. Don't forget that Temple is now headed to the Big East and Syracuse to the ACC, while St. John's is committed to the Big East.

[MJGator8104]

Originally Posted by don23lucia

Parker was made to feel like an NBA star himself on his recent visit to BYU. The Cougars fans made him a "Gangnam Style" parody video and printed 6,000-plus T-shirts, reading "Chicago to Provo," which were worn during the BYU game he attended.

"It was crazy," Parker said. "Just hearing the video and the people with the T-shirts, it was a little bit too much for me at the time. But like I said, let's have fun with it, let's make it a good experience. I'm just thankful to all the fans for putting the time and effort for doing that."

These t-shirts were printed and distributed by alum's. Isn't this illegal?

[BLING]

Originally Posted by UFG8rGuy3283

Assuming Patric Young stays as the above states (which we will argue on this board all year, game-to-game on if he should or is ready), there sure is a log jam in the front court. Harris, WY, C. Walker, D. Walker, Finney-Smith, Prather....add Randle to that mix and wow. Can you imagine the practices next year with those guys battling for playing time next year?

Whether we get Randle or not, and I sure hope we do, we are ridiculously talented next year. It's hard to imagine the future getting brighter than it is now.

Prather is a slasher/wing. Basically a prototypical college small forward, but the way he moves he can guard the 2, 3, and he did OK as the 4 in a super-small lineup but that's playing him way out of position against a real power forward. I wouldn't throw him in that group if we are talking strictly 4's and 5's. I wouldn't put D.Walker in that group either. He's a guy that probably should have been redshirted this year, and built up to play 2 years from now.

It is a pretty dissgusting lineup though and Randle would just put it over the top. Not really sure how we would deal with having 3 possible "one and done's" in the same class. All I know is it would be a hell of a battle between the freshmen and the transfers to see who is good enough to start - nevermind that Yeguette will be pretty hard to move out of the starting lineup as well. Realistically it would be 5 players vieing for 2 spots, with Prather and Yeguette also having a battle for the 3 position depending on the linup Billy D wanted.

[InstiGATOR1]

Originally Posted by BLING

Prather is a slasher/wing. Basically a prototypical college small forward, but the way he moves he can guard the 2, 3, and he did OK as the 4 in a super-small lineup but that's playing him way out of position against a real power forward. I wouldn't throw him in that group if we are talking strictly 4's and 5's. I wouldn't put D.Walker in that group either. He's a guy that probably should have been redshirted this year, and built up to play 2 years from now.

It is a pretty dissgusting lineup though and Randle would just put it over the top. Not really sure how we would deal with having 3 possible "one and done's" in the same class. All I know is it would be a hell of a battle between the freshmen and the transfers to see who is good enough to start - nevermind that Yeguette will be pretty hard to move out of the starting lineup as well. Realistically it would be 5 players vieing for 2 spots, with Prather and Yeguette also having a battle for the 3 position depending on the linup Billy D wanted.

I agree on Prather and see the 2013-14 line up as:

PG: Wilbekin/Hill
SG: Frazier/Graham
SF: Prather/Finney-Smith
PF: Yeguete/C.Walker
C: Harris

These are the guys I see big minutes for next season. I see playing time opening up for Ogbueze and D.Walker their JR seasons just as with Wilbekin, Murphy and Prather. I also clearly except Young to leave.

There is one slot left for 2013-14 and I see 3 or 4 candidates for it are Parker, Randle and Johnson. UF's PF/C positions are similar and the SF position is not that different if Parker comes. One could call Yeguete a C as really Yeguete and Harris both score pretty close to the basket. So there are starter type minutes out there for someone if they want to join a really strong program. If two or more of these three players come, then it will scramble things a bit.

[don23lucia]

With the early signing period in the rearview mirror and the spring signing period not starting until April 17, we have a chance to analyze the best uncommitted prospects in the Class of 2013 and analyze their recruitment.



So each week between now and the spring signing period, our RecruitingNation staff will break down a different best available senior, looking at what makes him special, freshman projections in college, decision factors and ultimately a prediction on where he signs.



We start the series not at No. 1 with Andrew Wiggins but at No. 2 with Jabari Parker, since his recruitment is further along and a decision could be coming as soon as this month. Parker has narrowed his list to five finalists: BYU, Duke, Florida, Michigan State and Stanford.



Here's how our basketball recruiting experts see his recruitment playing out.


[+] EnlargeMark L. Baer/US Presswire
No. 2 recruit Jabari Parker is considering as unique a set of criteria as any high-profile national prospect in recent memory. Dave Telep


What makes him special: The kid has a knack for finding the winner's circle and he's wired to be a competitor.



Freshman projection: He proves himself to be both valuable and versatile and becomes a key member of a Final Four team.



Decision factors: My guess is that Parker's stay in college is brief. After collecting what could be four state championships in high school, winning is paramount to him.



Prediction: Duke



Paul Biancardi


What makes him special: He makes teammates better with his high basketball IQ and unselfishness. He's also extremely versatile, his passing skills are advanced and he handles the ball with the confidence of a guard.



Freshman projection: He will undoubtedly make the team he goes to better because of his size, skill and commitment to the game. He may be a freshman in grade next year, but this guy is mature beyond his years.



Decision factors: Parker is a well-rounded young man who will look at more factors than most prospects. Two factors I see as important to him are winning championships and a proven coaching staff in developing prospects. He is all about winning first and himself second.



Prediction: Duke



Reggie Rankin


What makes him special: Parker is a combination of size, ability to score inside and out, a willing and excellent passer and a high basketball IQ. He is a matchup nightmare.



Freshman projection: He has the potential to be an immediate starter for all the programs he is considering at the small forward position and could be a stretch power forward in a small lineup.



Decision factors: Parker's decision will be based on style of play, the coaches' ability to develop players and the talent level of the players already in the program. I also believe Parker's parents want to see him play in person as much as possible.



Prediction: Michigan State


[+] EnlargeBob Donnan/US PRESSWIRE
Will Mike Krzyzewski and Duke be the lucky ones to land Jabari Parker? Signs point in that direction.Adam Finkelstein


What makes him special: He possesses a rare combination of traits that includes tremendous skill and versatility on the floor along with outstanding personal character both on and off the court.

Freshman projection: His unselfishness and team-first approach will prevent him from putting up huge scoring numbers, but I'd say he'll average around 15 points per game along with a handful of assists and rebounds for a strong national-caliber program.



Decision factors: He's asking all the right questions about his short- and long-term future on the court, but it's clear this is about more than just basketball as academics and even his Mormon faith are playing a role, as well. He's considering as unique a set of criteria as any high-profile national prospect in recent memory.



Prediction: Duke



Joel Francisco


What makes him special: There are not too many prospects who have his combination of skill, savvy and willingness to compete each and every time out.

Freshman projection: He starts from day one and becomes a catalyst to leading a team to a lengthy NCAA tournament run.

Decision factors: Although he is not in the same breath as a Kevin Durant or Anthony Davis, he will likely be in college only one season and be a lottery pick, drawing comparisons to Paul Pierce.



Prediction: Duke

[don23lucia]

http://espn.go.com/chicago/story/_/i...-big-test-here

Great podcast about halfway down the page with Jabari Parker

[macaca]

Parker is announcing on the 20th and his dad came out and said he thinks its down to Mich St or Duke, no big suprise.

[don23lucia]

I read that as well, but they didnt say he cut his list yet to just those two places.

[don23lucia]

Parker, who will announce his college choice on Dec. 20 from between Duke, Michigan State, BYU, Florida and Stanford, says at the center of his decision is the relationship with his future head coach and players. Know this: Each of the head coaches of his finalists worked this kid hard.

Having said that, some were in Chicago more than others. Duke and Mike Krzyzewski have been out multiple times. Stanford’s Johnny Dawkins, according to coaches at Simeon, has been out there once this fall. Florida’s Billy Donovan came twice.

Michigan State’s Tom Izzo worked Parker especially hard and was in the conversation for most appearances. The folks at Simeon have a tough time reconciling who was there more -- Izzo and BYU head coach Dave Rose were omnipresent in the Windy City.

Courtside for Thursday’s game were Rose, Krzyzewski and Izzo. Florida sent an assistant and Stanford was not represented. Parker will make his decision next Thursday at 4 p.m. ET on ESPNU. He told me he hasn’t yet made up his mind but that it’s time to end the process.

Inside the Parker decision there’s quiet confidence among many (not just Duke and Michigan State) that their school is going to land Parker. You never know what the player is telling each school, but at this point, to me, four of the five schools feel like they have a shot. You just don’t hear Stanford mentioned like it’s deep in the conversation like the others.

[tupacbiff]

Originally Posted by don23lucia

Parker, who will announce his college choice on Dec. 20 from between Duke, Michigan State, BYU, Florida and Stanford, says at the center of his decision is the relationship with his future head coach and players. Know this: Each of the head coaches of his finalists worked this kid hard.

Having said that, some were in Chicago more than others. Duke and Mike Krzyzewski have been out multiple times. Stanford’s Johnny Dawkins, according to coaches at Simeon, has been out there once this fall. Florida’s Billy Donovan came twice.

Michigan State’s Tom Izzo worked Parker especially hard and was in the conversation for most appearances. The folks at Simeon have a tough time reconciling who was there more -- Izzo and BYU head coach Dave Rose were omnipresent in the Windy City.

Courtside for Thursday’s game were Rose, Krzyzewski and Izzo. Florida sent an assistant and Stanford was not represented. Parker will make his decision next Thursday at 4 p.m. ET on ESPNU. He told me he hasn’t yet made up his mind but that it’s time to end the process.

Inside the Parker decision there’s quiet confidence among many (not just Duke and Michigan State) that their school is going to land Parker. You never know what the player is telling each school, but at this point, to me, four of the five schools feel like they have a shot. You just don’t hear Stanford mentioned like it’s deep in the conversation like the others.

I would lose all respect for the kid if he choose byu. His best decision would be UF for his future career but we will see if he makes a wise decision.

[don23lucia]

Chicago Simeon Career Academy forward Jabari Parker, the nation's No. 2 senior, has yet to decide on a college just days before a press conference that was scheduled to announce his decision, his father said Tuesday.

Last week, Parker scheduled a press conference at Simeon for Thursday at 3 p.m. CST. He will decide between BYU, Duke, Florida, Michigan State and Stanford.

The announcement will be held on ESPNU.

"He's still weighing things," Parker's father, Sonny Parker said. "I'm his dad. I don't know where he's going to. I could ask him what school he's going to, and he'll say I'm not 100 percent sure. Hopefully, he'll know something by Wednesday night or Thursday morning.

"It's a mystery to me. He'll make the right decision. We know he'll make the right decision for him."

Sonny had told USA Today last week that he thought his son would decide between Duke and Michigan State. On Tuesday, Sonny said he believed all the teams were still in the mix.

"That was how I felt at that particular time," Sonny said. "They've been in there since his freshman year. That's why I looked at those schools with coach [Tom] Izzo and Coach K [Mike Krzyzewski], but that's because they were recruiting him the longest. He's still looking at all the schools. It could be anyone still."

None of the schools has quit recruiting Parker, according to Sonny. Sonny said Florida coach Billy Donovan was at Parker's game Monday, and all the coaches have continued to call.

Sonny also said Parker came back too soon this season after fracturing a bone in his foot in July. Parker hadn't practiced prior to playing in Simeon's season opener on Dec. 1. He also played in Simeon's two out-of-state games last week.

Parker sat out Monday's game and is expected to rehab and rest for at least most of December. He could play again in the Pontiac Holiday Tournament, which runs Dec. 27-29, but Sonny said his son's exact return date is unknown.

"He's not ready to play," Sonny said. "He shouldn't have been playing in the first place. He's been doing good in practice, but practice is different than games. He has to continue to do his rehab and get his body back. It's about his future in terms of his health. If he can continue to do his rehab and then practice with no contact and then go full practice, he can play. Right now, he's a little ways away."

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.