DAVIE, Fla. – Vernon Carey Jr., the top ranked junior in America, has narrowed his college list to a group of eight. One of the most promising and talented players in high school basketball, Carey has taken the next step toward a college commitment as a handful of name brand programs remain in contention.
A 6-foot-9 power forward with a 7-foot-1 wingspan, Carey has led a blueblood recruitment for over a year now. Settling into things further, Carey spoke to Rivals about his final eight.
“I am down to Michigan State, Miami, Florida, Duke, Kentucky, UCLA, Kansas and UNC,” he said. “I just feel like I have good relationship with all their coaching staffs. I am probably talking to Duke, Michigan State and Miami the most.”
IN HIS OWN WORDS ...
Michigan State: “The visit there was great. I feel like they have a big family connection and coach (Tom) Izzo is a great coach. I know most of their big men on their team now and I feel like they do a good job of developing their bigs. If I go there, I feel like they would make me better.”
Miami: “Coach (Jim) Larranaga has been recruiting me since my eighth-grade year. They are saying that what Michael Jordan was for UNC, I could be at Miami with how I can stay at home and be the man.”
Duke: “I was talking with coach (Jeff) Capel and he was saying that he would love to have me on the team because he feels like I am a very versatile player. He wants me to come up there for a visit soon.
“They just offered Isaiah Stewart and I have been talking to Armando Bacot. They have been talking to me about pairing one of us up together there.”
WHAT’S NEXT?
Carey has been on numerous visits to Miami and the five-star big man visited Michigan State for the first time two weeks ago. A visit is expected to Florida within the coming weeks as he is also planning on visiting North Carolina and Duke during the Christmas break.
Carey plans on cutting his list down a final time next summer.
RIVALS’ REACTION
Carey has cemented his standing as one of the nation's elite prospects. He's a 6-foot-9 lefty that can extend the defense with the perimeter jumper, make the timely pass to the open teammate, finish through contact and rebound his area. Carey is everything one looks for in a high-level recruit.
Look for each of his eight finalists to make strong pushes, although Duke, Michigan State and Miami - the latter a program where his father played college football - are the likeliest landing spots whenever he does decide to commit.
