MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- All but three participants in the Iverson All-Star Classic arrived in Memphis last weekend having already signed a National Letter of Intent with a college program. Most recruiting battles are heavily contested, however, so Rivals.com decided to ask a handful of in-demand prospects which school finished second in their respective recruitments.
Their responses can be found below.
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Related: Who impressed at the Iverson All-Star Classic? | Players talk players
2021 Rankings: Rivals150 | Team | Position
2022 Rankings: Rivals150 | Team | Position
2023 Rankings: Top 30
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Signed with: UCLA
Runners-up: Michigan and Arizona
Why: “Juwan Howard is a world-class guy, man. He still keeps in contact with me, to be honest. He checks in to make sure I’m doing all right and has a relationship with my family. He’s the coolest guy ever. With Arizona, I really liked the history and loved my visit. I loved Sean Miller when he was there and really thought about Arizona.”
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Signed with: Nebraska
Runner-up: Georgia
Why: “Really, it was because the relationship with me and Tom Crean is so strong. It was hard to say no. Before I committed the first time -- to FSU -- it was either Georgia or FSU. I really just love how he is off the court and on the court and the resume he has with NBA players.”
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Signed with: Gonzaga
Runners-up: Creighton and North Carolina
Why: “I really can’t pick just one, so I’ll give you the two. I really liked both of them and I liked Kentucky, too. They were kind of in a little group.”
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Signed with: Duke
Runner-up: Gonzaga
Why: “(It) was a four-way tie. I’m not even kidding. Duke didn’t separate themselves until late. But, if it wasn’t Duke, it would have been Gonzaga. I didn’t choose Gonzaga because Duke was, by far the best option, but I think it would have been Gonzaga if not.”
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Signed with: Alabama
Why: “I liked both of them a lot. They seemed like places with good playstyle. I felt like I could have gone to either and had fun.”
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Signed with: Syracuse
Runner-up: Maryland
Why: “I really liked the relationship I had with Maryland. Them being the hometown team and staying in constant contact helped them. Syracuse was just too hard to pass up.”
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Signed with: Florida State
Runner-up: Michigan
Why: “Juwan Howard is really cool. I really liked his whole pitch and how he communicated.”
