Four-star Brazdeikis will decide on reclassification this summer
Following a productive winter, Ignas Brazdeikis' recruitment has developed into a high-major affair. The Orangeville Prep (Mono, Ontario, Canada) forward brings good size, strength and ball skills to the frontcourt and is weighing the possibility of reclassifying into the 2017 class.
Brazdeikis has seen a handful of schools begin to stand out in his recruitment, noting that he hears from Baylor, Cincinnati, Memphis, Pitt, SMU, Virginia Tech and Vanderbilt the most.
IN HIS OWN WORDS
Brazdeikis won't decide whether he will reclassify into the 2017 class until the summer. Pitt and Vanderbilt seem to have separated themselves from the pack with their efforts to lure him to campus a year early.
On Pitt: "Pitt is a great school. I really like the coaching staff. They were very welcoming and it was a great time. They really want me for 2017. They want to play me as a perimeter player and do a lot of things for them coming off ball screens and off of the pick and pop; using my abilities and my mismatch skills."
On Vandy: "It was really nice as well. The coaching staff was great and the city of Nashville is really great. The gym and the crowd at the game was insane. They were telling me they like to play 4-out and 1-in and like tall wings that are versatile that can shoot it and make plays off the bounce, which is the way they would use me."
WHAT'S NEXT?
Brazdeikis will finish out his high school campaign in April before hitting the Nike circuit with the CIA Bounce travel program for the second straight year.
While he currently intends to attend college for his freshman year in 2018, the idea of reclassifying remains an option.
"I am just working on getting better but the big thing for me this year will be the EYBL; just showing everyone that I am a good player, but after the EYBL I will decide if I want to go 2017 or 2018."
RIVALS' REACTION
In an era where everyone loves multi-dimensional ballplayers, Brazdeikis fits that mold perfectly. The 6-foot-7 junior, who is capable of scoring from all three levels on the floor, should see his stock soar this summer. However, it does seem that Vanderbilt and Pitt sit in the best spot for him and a possible late reclassification into 2017 would bolster their chances heading into next year’s college basketball season.
