Center Jahlil Okafor of Chicago’s Whitney Young, Sporting News’ No. 1 player in the class of 2014, got the buzz started when he declared on Twitter, “I'm excited to announce my college decision on Friday Nov 15th, 3pm at Whitney Young high school. Be there and thanks for all the support!”
It was discovered soon afterward he would be announcing on the same afternoon (and at the same time) as fellow Chicago big man Cliff Alexander of Curie Metropolitan (SN’s No. 5 prospect) and point guard Tyus Jones of Apple Valley, Minn. (No. 2). The early signing period for letters of intent begins Wednesday; the players could commit without choosing to sign.
They are three of the seven uncommitted players among Scout.com’s top 20 recruits. Jones and Okafor, teammates on the United States 2012 FIBA U17 World Championship team, have pledged on multiple occasions to attend school together. They first met as opponents in a junior AAU game and then as teammates at the U16s.
“We came out for USA, and we just kind of reconnected,” Okafor told Sporting News in June. “We just clicked. First, we clicked on the court. Off the court, it was really just as good. He’s one of my best friends.”
Said Jones: “That’s like my brother. We’re great friends. That’s the main reason why we want to do this. Set aside from how well we play on the court is how well we have a bond off the court. That’s why we want to do something special.”
Okafor is a 6-11 center reminiscent of Tim Duncan. Jones is a 6-2 point guard who most resembles a young Chris Paul.
Okafor announced in October he would choose among Baylor, Duke, Kansas and Kentucky. Jones cancelled his recruiting visit to Kentucky because the Wildcats accepted a commitment from Chicago-area point Tyler Ulis, telling Scout.com, “I wouldn’t say they are out, but …” He has visited Baylor, KU and Duke.
Alexander is most comparable to Clippers star Blake Griffin — an overpowering, athletically dynamic power forward who could function as an electric center in college. Alexander wants not to be limited to operating near the goal, so he has been working hard on developing a mid-range jumpshot.
He took all five of his recruiting visits: to Arizona, DePaul, Illinois, Kansas and Memphis.
CALL FOR JUSTISE
Meanwhile, with the three aboe recruits ready to commit, one wonders what Justise Winslow is up to.
Winslow, ranked No. 9 in the Class of 2014 by Sporting News, took an official visit to Duke along with Okafor and Jones, raising speculation that he is thinking about joining the duo at the next level. They even wore the same shirts courtside at Cameron Indoor Stadium.
But with Okafor and Jones ready to commit, a decision from Winslow does not appear imminent. He completed his fifth and final official visit last week to Stanford, where he was wowed by meeting Condoleeza Rice, enjoyed the Cardinal-Oregon football game, and even putted around like Tiger Woods used to. Let's say his putting stroke isn't the most classic-looking. But good for him, hoops is his game.
Winslow took his three remaining official visits to Florida, UCLA and Arizona. Judging by the number of West Coast schools he picked (three of his five), maybe he's ready to ball in the Pac-12. Highlights from his trips to Westwood, Tucson and Gainesville follow.
A picture with a cute girl at Arizona and hanging with Aaron Gordon.
Meanwhile, UCLA coach Steve Alford made quite an impression on Winslow, calling the Bruins coach an “Indiana gangster.”
And of all the visits he had, Winslow has only one photo with himself and a coach. That was with Alford. Do the Bruins have the lead in his commitment?
Let's not forget his being on the field for a game at the Swamp. The Gators' football team may stink, but the Swamp still leaves a good impression on anyone.
So, Justise, good luck with your decision. May you make it sooner rather than later.
BEHANAN BACK
Louisville power forward Chane Behanan was back with the team after serving a one-game suspension in the wake of what head coach Rick Pitino called "a violation of school policy." He entered Tuesday’s game vs. Hofstra at 12:09 of the first half vs. the Pride.
Though it was never revealed precisely what rule the junior had violated, his reinstatement to the team came plenty earlier than Pitino had hinted at when he announced Behanan's suspension on Oct. 17.
"I had a target of 30 straight days of (Behanan) doing the right things and I didn't think he would ever do it, to be honest," Pitino said. "He had 30 great days, which surprised the heck out of me."
"I didn't think he could do anything that we put forward for him physically, mentally, emotionally."
Pitino noted that Behanan did violate the terms of their agreement in the first week, but said that he was "embarrassed" and knew "he's let his team down."
Behanan is still under disciplinary probation for the remainder of the season.
DELAWARE'S SADDLER SUSPENDED
Delaware senior guard Devon Saddler, a first-team CAA selection from last season, has been suspended for a month, The (Delaware) News Journal reported.
The 6-2, 210-pound Saddler entered this season with 1,670 points, behind only Creighton's Doug McDermott among currently active Division I players. Saddler needs 361 points to set the Blue Hens' school record, and this suspension will make his job tougher.
Delaware finished tied for second in the CAA last season and lost in the conference tournament semifinals.
Contributors: Mike DeCourcy, Roger Kuznia and Kami Mattioli
