Bluebloods enter the mix for 2019 four-star Elias King
Elias King started his high school career in Georgia at Shiloh High School where he played on a really talented team alongside Georgia Tech star Josh Okogie. Last year, he decided to take on a new challenge by transferring to Huntington Prep (W.Va.) and still played well, but ultimately decided to come back to Georgia for his junior year to once again play at Shiloh.
He’s off to a great start back in his old stomping grounds, and some of the top programs in the country are taking notice. Kansas and UCLA are the latest to start recruiting the four-star prospect who now stands at about 6-foot-8 after a recent growth spurt.
Florida State, Georgia, Memphis, Seton Hall and Virginia Tech have been the schools coming at King the most regularly lately.
IN HIS OWN WORDS
King talked about new interest as well as what he likes about schools he’s been talking to for an extended period of time.
Kansas: “I like their program. It’s a program where you can excel, especially a person like me who can play different positions and I’m almost 6-foot-9. Kansas does well with guys like me.”
UCLA: “I love their program. I could see myself excelling in their program.”
Georgia: “I love their program. I would love to stay home and I would definitely consider playing for them. I like everything there. I like their coaches. I like the way the coaches address their players. They are very hard on their players and also get you better as a person.”
Florida State: “They’ve been here a lot and seen good and bad games. They have seen both sides of me. I talk to coach ‘CY’ [Charlton Young] down there. He’s a great guy and is always telling me how I can improve and what I can add to my game.”
Virginia Tech: “It’s a great program. Just like Florida State and Georgia, you have to play defense to get on the floor. That’s what I’ve been adding to my game lately. I really like Virginia Tech. I like the coaches and how they talk about being different than everybody else.”
RIVALS' REACTION
Of the schools who have offered King, it certainly looks like Florida State, Georgia and Virginia Tech have had the most success getting through to him so far. But if King continues to play throughout his junior season, his recruitment could change quite a bit because top programs could come calling. He did mention staying closer to home for college intrigues him, but doesn’t necessarily have to be a deciding factor.
As for a decision, King said he’s been back and forth on it. He doesn’t hide from the fact he could make a commitment sometime soon, but said he’s not ruling out the possibility of waiting to see if other schools come after him. His next visit will be to Georgia when the Bulldogs take on Georgia Tech on Tuesday night.