Four-star still thinking spring
Each year, a lot of players say that they will wait until the spring only to make an early decision. So far, four-star shooting guard Brandon Sampson looks like he will be sticking to that plan.
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One of the best pure scorers and the No. 40 player overall in the class of 2015, the 6-foot-4 two guard from Baton Rouge (La.) Madison Prep has completed four official visits.
After checking out LSU, California, St. John's and USC officially, Sampson's coach at Madison Prep Jeff Jones feels that his star senior is still wide open but informed.
"I think he may be close to sticking to that springtime decision," Jones told Rivals.com. "I think he's as close to open as he has ever been. He's never really had a clear cut leader and he has never been in a hurry. He's really informed about the process now.
"I think he'll wait just because he's not sure what he wants to do."
Jones said that each school involved has different qualities and gave a rundown on them. His first trip was to a place he already knows very well, LSU.
"I don't know if there is much he can learn on a visit there because it is the home town school," said Jones. "They are in a unique situation because Jarrell Marin was here. So they've been on Brandon since he was a sophomore. He's been to football games, he knows the facilities and he knows basically everything about them. He knows the system and how they practice so it was just for them to reinforce how much they want him."
Next up on the visit docket was a trip to Cal.
"He likes Cuonzo Martin and coach Hufnagel," said Jones. "It was kind of a unique thing because people wonder how Cal gets in the mix? Coach Huf had been recruiting him real hard at Vanderbilt and Coach Martin had been recriuting him real hard at Tennessee so they came into the picture together at Cal. Brandon really likes their approach."
Sampson's third trip was one to the Big Apple to see St. John's where his visit featured a chance to spend time with another recruit who he gets along with.
"I know he had a great visit with St. John's," said Jones. "He loves Steve Lavin and he was there with Isaiah Briscoe and Cheick Diallo. I didn't know this, but he and Isaiah are pretty good friends and they had been talking on the phone a few weeks before the visit. He and Isaiah really hit it off and they had a good time and feel like they would play well together if they went there."
Sampson's most recent visit was last weekend when he checked out USC. The Trojans have worked hard to put themselves into the mix.
"They were on him a bit back in the summer around when he was in Los Angeles for Pangos," said Jones. "He really likes coach Bland and Andy Enfield has been down a few times. He likes that fun and gun type of offense they have a bit. Coach Bland has done a good job on getting in on him and making him think about USC."
Though an early signing period choice could still happen, Jones feels that Sampson still has a lot to sort out before making a decision.
"He just wants to make sure he makes a good decision," said Jones. "He knows that this only happens one time and the things he is looking for he is pretty solid on. In terms of playing time he wants a chance to play considerable time as a freshman. He really wants to know style of play, does he fit in. Also who he feels can really develop him the way he wants to be developed.
"At this point every school is talking to him and saying that this is the spot for you and this is where your dreams will come true. He's trying to decipher all of that."
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