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Dallas live events: Big time wing prospect Gerald Liddell setting visits

Gerald Liddell
Gerald Liddell (Jon Lopez/Nike @NikeEYB)

DUNCANVILLE, Tex. -- A broken wrist has big-time wing prospect Gerald Liddell sidelined during the live period, but the star for RM5 Elite isn't letting it slow down his recruitment as he's started setting visits.

A top 40 prospect in the class of 2018, Liddell has narrowed his focus to Arizona, California, Oregon, SMU, Texas and UCLA. Official visits will for sure happen for the Wildcats, Ducks, Longhorns and Bruins and then he'll choose from the Bears and Mustangs for his final visit.

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IN HIS OWN WORDS

Liddell took time to break down his top schools and why he's locked in on them.

Arizona: "I love what Sean Miller and his staff are doing out there. Arizona is a great program and it is always going to be a great program so that's a plus. He really knows how to put players in the NBA and he knows what to do with talented players. That's my ultimate goal so I love that about him."

Cal: "I'm always talking to assistant coach Chris Walker and I just want to learn way more about them. I'm trying to get out there and get with the coaching staff and learn more about them, the school and the team."

Oregon: "They have a lot of versatile players and I feel like that's what I bring to the game, versatility. They like to get up and down and I love playing in transition, kicking it up, pressing and just playing fast. The Pac-12 is awesome so that's a plus."

SMU: "I love SMU and I love that it is in Dallas. It's real nice and I'm always up there so it feels kind of like home. It's really awesome. Everybody is kind of sleeping on them but they are winning and they are getting guys drafted. I think they will have another good season. They are on the come up."

Texas: "I like what Shaka Smart and them are doing out there. They are building right now but I like the way he approaches his coaching style and he really cares about his players and I like the discipline he puts on them. He also tells the truth and not just what I want to hear. Being close to home helps because my family can get out and see me a bunch if I go there."

UCLA: "Coach Steve Alford, I always talks to him and he tells me that I really need to get out there for a visit and see how beautiful the campus is and everything. They tell me that I'm one of their top priorities so I love to hear that. The way that they put their players in the right positions to be pros is a big thing."

RIVALS' REACTION

One thing that jumps out about Liddell is how much of a Pac-12 flavor there is to his recruitment. Because he's been to SMU unofficially multiple times and can easily get there again, it wouldn't be a surprise to see him use that fifth official visit on Cal which would mean four of his five visits -- and the Oregon and UCLA visits are set for Sept. 29 and Oct. 7 respectively -- would go to Pac-12 programs.

Though there is a Pac-12 flavor and it's hard to discount that, Liddell's comfort with Texas is also a major factor and at the end of the day it may be awfully tough to convince him to leave home.

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