Four-star Horton-Tucker previews Thursday's commitment

Talen Horton-Tucker, one of the most versatile and skilled wing-forward prospects, is nearing a college decision. Set to announce his commitment on Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Horton-Tucker is down to Illinois, Iowa State and Xavier.

Horton-Tucker, a 6-foot-5 do-it-all wing that can defend various positions, act as a facilitating agent as a point-wing in certain lineups, and is skilled enough in creating both for himself and others, is ready to end his recruitment.

“(I want to be} able to focus on school first and basically getting (recruiting) over with,” he said. “It has been a long process and I feel like I am getting closer to being a man in making a decision.”

Here is a breakdown his potential fit at each program and what Horton-Tucker thinks of his finalists.

“The visit there was great. Illinois is home and just being able to go in there and play with a group of guys that I know is big. That would be really good. Being able to get the program back and with Ayo Dosunmu, showing that they can get the best guys in the state. It would give Illinois a bigger push to get the younger guys from the state, too.”

Fit: From the optics side, Horton-Tucker’s commitment would be the biggest for Illinois of all of his finalists. The Illini fan base has clamored for the best Chicago talent to remain within the state. They celebrated the commitment of Dosunmu, a five-star senior guard, last week, and adding the top two Chicago prospects within the same class would be gigantic.

On the floor, there is an even bigger need for Horton-Tucker than Dosunmu from a personnel standpoint. Brad Underwood inherits a roster with a dearth of wing talent as Horton-Tucker would have the chance to immediately leave his mark and recreate a one-two punch with Dosunmu that the duo had shared playing together on the travel circuit the past three years.

“Just being able to get along with everyone committed there and all the players is nice. I have been playing with Tyrese Haliburton from Wisconsin for the past few years and we talk a good amount. It is a great sell. They are pretty much the biggest school recruiting me since my sophomore year and it helps that I have a great relationship with them. They are just telling me I could be like Georges Niang, but a little more versatile and skilled coming in. Being able to do many things instead of just one thing is something that they are selling to me.”

Fit: It may be a step back sort of year in Ames compared to the past five or six seasons of great success but Steve Prohm has made sure to hit the recruiting trail running this summer and fall. The Cyclones already boast three Rivals150 commits, though Horton-Tucker would bring something different to the table. Just like Illinois, there is not a ton of wing talent on its roster but rather a good amount of face-up power forwards and hard-playing big men.

ISU remains in the hunt for a point guard this fall, but Horton-Tucker’s impressive playmaking abilities would enable him to be used on the ball in spurts, a role that would allow for current freshman guard Lindell Wigginton to thrive even further as an off-the-ball scorer.

“It has been good getting to know them for the past year or two and just getting to know the opportunity that I would have there with Trevon Bluiett and JP Macura leaving so there would be an open spot for me to come and contribute right away. That is one of the biggest things that there is. Being able to replace someone like Trevon Bluiett and come into the Big East would be a great opportunity for me and would also help me get my name out there a little more.”

Fit: Xavier may have found its long-term replacement for Macura this fall thanks to the commitment of Keonte Kennedy. Replacing Blueitt will be a more difficult task as there are not many high school prospects still available that can do a variety of things like the preseason All-American.

Horton-Tucker is one of the few that can play three positions on offense and produce with efficiency, similar to what Bluiett exhibits at Xavier. He would have the chance to replace the giant shoes leftover by Bluiett, which would allow for potential breakout freshman forward Naji Marshall to be used more as a small ball power forward, a role that he would excel best in.