Meyers Mailbag: Laceys leader
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Do a couple schools stand out for unsigned senior standout Trevor Lacey?
Is Mississippi one of the top states for basketball talent?
And what is the scouting report on the top unsigned 2011 prospect in the country Deandre Daniels?
These questions and more are addressed by National Recruiting Analyst Jerry Meyer in this week's mailbag.
Trevor's top two?
In your opinion, where do you think Trevor Lacey will sign? I am from the same town as him, and I hear Alabama and Kentucky are his top two.
- Zack from Huntsville
Lacey, who is currently ranked No. 34 and pushing for five-star status in the final rankings, is officially down to five schools - Alabama, Auburn, Connecticut, Kansas and Kentucky. But I agree with your take that Lacey has an unofficial top two of Alabama and Kentucky.
I don't see him going too far away from home, and the struggles of the Auburn program are likely a deterrent. Lacey recently had a great visit to Kentucky, and he has been close to the Alabama program.
A key factor in Kentucky's recruitment of Lacey is whether or not Brandon Knight enters the NBA draft. I can't see Lacey going to Kentucky if both Marquis Teague and Knight are in the backcourt. I suspect, however, that Knight will enter the draft.
First and foremost for Lacey is qualifying academically, or he won't be able to play for any of the schools in his top five next year.
Mississippi talent
Over the past years Mississippi has been producing great talent and never really has gained any national attention or spotlight on our players. Every year we have a slew of coaches from all over recruiting our players but we are never mentioned with the other great recruiting states and areas as far as the east coast and midwest. When will Mississippi get some love?
- George from Hattiesburg
How about some love right now? I agree that Mississippi is a hotbed of talent. In fact, just the other day I was in a discussion with some Rivals.com co-workers, and we were talking about how Mississippi is loaded with talent in basketball and other sports as well.
In looking at the top 100 of the Rivals150 for the class of 2011, six prospects from Mississippi are in the top 100. That is a tremendous ratio per capita for Mississippi.
Breaking down Daniels
Can you talk about what you feel are the strengths and weaknesses of DeAndre Daniels? In college, do you think he's a three or a face-up four? Do you view him as a potential "one and done" candidate?
- John from Bronxville
At 6 feet 8 Daniels has a well-rounded skill set and is a terrific outside shooter. His versatility at his length makes him good. His ability to spot up and stretch the defense with his outside shooting makes him great. Daniels is a smart player who typically makes good decisions on the dribble, but as he moves up to higher levels of play, it will be his ability to make shots that will separate him from his fellow combo forwards.
As far as weaknesses are concerned, Daniels needs to improve his physical strength. Also, he is a good athlete, but he is not a great athlete.
As for his position, Daniels is a true combo forward in my estimation. His primary position in college will likely be as a face-up four man, but he is fully capable of playing the three as well.
I don't see him as a one-and-done player, but I do see him as a player who will have the opportunity to leave prior to his senior year.
Unrelated to the fact that Duke has begun to show recruiting interest in Daniels, he reminds me of Kyle Singler as a player.
Hoyas have a chance?
Does Georgetown have any shot of landing Otto Porter?
- Richard from Florence
If any school outside the state of Missouri has a shot at Porter, it would be Georgetown. The Hoyas are the one out-of-state school that hasn't virtually conceded Porter to Missouri.
In the end, however, it would be a shocker if Porter goes anywhere other than Missouri. Porter, who has visited Missouri, wants to stay close to home and his skill set is a perfect fit for the Missouri system.
Bump for Boatright?
It seems like Ryan Boatright has been having a monster senior year with scoring outbursts of 63, 55, 44 and several more over 30. How high can he jump in the updated rankings?
- Mike from New Haven
A Connecticut commitment, Boatright has been on a spectacular roll down the stretch of this season. He is lightning quick and slippery with the ball. Off the dribble he is an elite playmaker as a scorer and passer. His high school team needs points out of him, but at Connecticut he will impress as a passer as well.
Boatright's lack of size is a concern, but I expect him to at least crack the top 40 in the final Rivals150.
Jerry Meyer is a national basketball recruiting analyst for Rivals.com. Click here to send him a question or comment for his mailbag.
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