Conference play as heated up and so has the recruitments of a number of prospects in the 2021 class. While many programs have further work to do in the 2020 class, others have geared their attention to the younger classes. In this week’s #TwitterTuesday, we take a closer look at what Josh Christopher may do, but also assess the situations surrounding Matthew Cleveland, Charles Bediako, JD Davison and sophomore standout Caleb Houstan.
Michigan’s recent downturn on the playing floor isn't going to deter Josh Christopher from committing to the Wolverines. If anything, it might just highlight how big of a need they have in the backcourt for someone like Christopher who could take over the primary scoring role next year.
However, Arizona State is in a good spot for Christopher. While Michigan didn’t start recruiting him until the hiring of Juwan Howard, Bobby Hurley made him their top target dating back to his underclassman years. The Sun Devils also enrolled his brother, Caleb Christopher, this fall, so ASU has a lot going for it.
In the end, I don’t expect a decision from Christopher any time soon. Rather, look for the five-star guard to sift through his finalists that consists of Arizona State and Michigan, along with Missouri and UCLA, before making his commitment once the season is over with. It looks as if it is neck-and-neck affair between ASU and Michigan at the moment.
It doesn’t seem as if Matthew Cleveland is anywhere near a college decision, but whenever the time does come, Georgia Tech should have a heavy say. The Yellow Jackets were really the first high-major program to prioritize Cleveland prior to his initial breakout last summer. The now top-40 junior holds offers from many of the top regional power programs, but Georgia Tech has a few things going for it.
First, both of Cleveland’s parents attended the school. Cleveland also deeply values the educational aspect that the school can afford thanks to the investment that he has made in the classroom. Lastly, the school is located less than a 30-minute drive from his own school. The rapport that he has with Josh Pastner and his staff may pay off with a commitment down the road.
Nothing has changed since the last time we caught up with Chares Bediako at the beginning of the month. The four-star junior is nowhere near publishing a school list at this time but rather, is more focused on completing his high school season before taking a closer look into his recruitment.
The interest geared towards him is worthwhile because of his talent and the lack of prospect’s build in his mold. Duke offered earlier in the winter, a scholarship could be taken whether he wants to reclassify into the 2020 class, or remain with his original 2021 class. Alabama has also been in frequent contact with him thanks to Keon Ambrose-Hylton, a Tide signee, teaming up with Bediako on the high school circuit. Also, keep an eye on Michigan State, who has begun to invest greater attention into his recruitment.
However, I don’t expect for Bediako to do anything with his recruitment any time soon. If he were to reclassify, that decision wouldn’t be made until the summer and after he plays on the Nike EYBL circuit with the Uplay Canada bunch. In the meantime, expect for more of the nationally relevant programs to jump into the recruitment of the Canadian standout.
JD Davison, while he has been one of the more difficult prospects to see this winter thanks to playing one of the more isolated areas, has become a priority target for some of the top programs near him. Auburn, Mississippi State and Ole Miss have been hot on his heels but the two schools to watch are Alabama and Memphis. Each have been in to see Davison a number of times this season and his commitment is not expected anytime soon, it is within reason to view the Tide and Tigers as the two leaders for him. He could also potentially visit Memphis this weekend for their game against UConn.
Outside of Davison, Alabama is not anywhere near securing a commitment but it will be active this spring. The Tide have started to recruit a number of Rivals150 juniors including the aforementioned Davison, along with Peyton Daniels, Malaki Branham, Bediako and Josh Primo, the latter two who could reclassify into the 2020 class later this year.
Smart, but that is about it. Caleb Houstan, a five-star sophomore that plays alongside North Carolina signee Day’Ron Sharpe at Montverde Academy, is one of the best there is in the 2022 class which is why a blueblood in the mold of UNC is now involved. Look for many others to follow suit as Duke and Kentucky have begun to show greater interest.
While a member of the 2022 class, I expect for Houstan to move into the 2021 class this summer, which would speed up his recruitment a full year. Houstan is nowhere near a college decision and holds less than five offers at this point, but that will change once more get a better look at him.
Houstan is an elite shot-maker with size and an IQ for the game. He is an elite prospect and will have elite offers to choose from, but UNC has much more work to do before it can come close to securing the commitment from him, which could be said for anyone else involved.
