Twitter Tuesday: Kansas, Anfernee Simons, Holiday Hoopsgiving
Already have a user account? Sign in and get your take advantage of this great offer.
In this week’s Twitter Tuesday, we discuss Kansas’ options in rounding out its 2018 class, Anfernee Simons’ dilemma, last weekend's Holiday Hoopsgiving and Indiana signee Robert Phinisee.
MORE: All-Thanksgiving Hoopfest Team | Five-stars put on a show at Hoopsgiving
Romeo Langford and Zion Williamson are the biggest targets left on the board for Kansas this winter. The Jayhawks aren't a favorite for either, but they have a fighter’s chance.
The Jayhawks, while they were at one point a favorite for him, are playing catch-up with Williamson. Most of the talk recently has centered around Duke, Clemson and Kentucky. I give the Jayhawks a slim 20-percent chance with Williamson.
Langford may be the more attainable prospect. The five-star scoring guard recently cut his list to a group of three consisting of Vanderbilt, Indiana and Kansas. I give the Jayhawks around a 40-percent chance of securing his commitment. They can sell their pedigree and ability to develop Langford out of the spotlight, whereas there would be extra attention and pressure placed upon him as a Commodore or Hoosier.
Does Langford want to be the guy and have the spotlight on him from his first day on campus or does he want to blend in alongside a bevy of elite talent? His commitment will speak volumes.
Five-star guard Anfernee Simons is remaining patient with the recruiting process. While news came to light last week that Simons was eligible for the NBA Draft, this was actually something that Simons had told Rivals.com nearly a month ago. This has been bouncing around in his head for some time now.
Simons has spoken on record that there is no clear favorite for his college commitment. Florida was the initial favorite following Simons' decommitment from Louisville in September. However, within a matter of days, the Gators took two guard commitments and added another three weeks ago. The Florida backcourt is a bit crowded but Simons has also said that he doesn’t mind competing for minutes, so the Gators remain heavily involved in his recruitment.
Don't look for a commitment before the spring, and it would be a giant surprise if he jumped to the NBA. Simons needs to get stronger, become a more well-rounded lead guard and also show consistency within his game.
Of the schools that Simons discusses the most, Tennessee, NC State, Florida and South Carolina probably have the best shot with him. He has not set any visits but those plans could come once his prep playing career comes to a close.
Rivals150 point guard Robert Phinisee is the most important piece of Indiana's top 20 recruiting class. Looking ahead to the Hoosiers' roster next season, there is practically no one returning that can be deemed a primary point guard. Josh Newkirk and Robert Johnson are gone and while Curtis Jones, Al Durham and Devonte Green can play on the ball in spurts, they are at their best in a scoring capacity.
Phinisee may not start right away next year but I would expect him to take over the reins by the time conference play begins and play something around 20 to 23 minutes per game. If he can add a few points by way of his quality shooting stroke, to go along with his primary role of distribution and defense, Phinisee’s freshman season in Bloomington should be deemed a success.
For the past few years, Chris Williams and his staff have put together one of the top high school events of the year and this past weekend was no different. The two-day event hosted some of the best talent from the East Coast and here are the five prospects that stood out the most:
... There wasn’t a more consistent prospect in Atlanta than Ashton Hagans. The 6-foot-2 point guard is one of the toughest, most talkative and inspiring players in high school ball. The top guard defender in America, Hagans averaged a triple-double during his two-game weekend as Josh Pastner and Leonard Hamilton were each seated courtside for his outing on Saturday.
... Remarkably impressive is all that I could say after watching E.J. Montgomery on Saturday. The lefty was phenomenal from the tip until the final buzzer as the one-time Auburn commit may have had his best outing yet. One of the top prospects still available from the 2018 class, Montgomery told Rivals.com that he is in no rush for a college decision.
... Donovan Gregory is a sleeper to watch. The 6-foot-4 wing finished with 31 points and nine rebounds in a win for Carmel Christian. He holds offers from four mid-level programs but he will likely lead a high-major recruitment by the end of the live evaluation periods next April.
... Mike DeVoe isn’t an under-the-radar prospect but the Georgia Tech commit is a deeply undervalued one as he has all of the makings of an all-league performer. The lefty posted two 20-plus-point outings, averaged more than four assists, and made all but two of his two-point field goals attempts in Atlanta. He looks to be a building block recruit for Pastner.
... You'll be hearing about BJ Boston in the near future. The 6-foot-6 wing brings underrated toughness to the floor as he could easily pass for a younger Brandon Ingram. He has already begun to gather ACC and SEC offers, and is destined to a five-star ranking in the not-so-distant future.