The second and final spring evaluation period has come to an end, and already a few programs have gotten a leg up on the competition for the 2018 class.
In this week’s #TwitterTuesday mailbag, we give insight into Florida’s plans for its frontcourt, where Jordan Brown could land, UConn’s chances with Tremont Waters and debate the best junior point guard.
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Jason is referring to Darius Days, one of the hardest-playing forwards from the 2018 class. The top-150 prospect is someone who can play in multiple lineups thanks to his improved ball skills and strength, as he stands at 6-foot-7 but can guard either forward position, and elite motor.
This past weekend in Indianapolis, Days discussed Kansas and Duke getting into the mix with him. He also noted that Texas A&M, Virginia and Virginia Tech were the early leaders for him.
Currently, Florida is more focused on its backcourt in the 2018 class. The Gators have also been selective with who they might target on the wings and at the power forward position. What they would love to happen is take Nassir Little and Emmitt Williams and call it a day in the frontcourt. Days could land an offer if they feel like their chances with either of the two is dwindling, but at the current moment the Gators are focused on the point guard spot as they continue to chase Devon Dotson, Elijah Weaver and Michael DeVoe.
Jordan Brown, a five-star center from the 2018 class, is one of the most polished prospects. He can score over either shoulder on the block, is great out of the high-post setting and is reminiscent of LaMarcus Aldridge from the San Antonio Spurs.
Though Eric Mussellman has done a phenomenal job of turning around the program in Reno, it's very difficult to envision Brown committing to Nevada.
The MWC program has relied more on securing its top talent from the transfer wire but it has done fine work in picking up under-the-radar talent such as Cameron Oliver.
Giving Nevada less than a 2-percent chance at landing Brown sounds about right to the dismay of Nevada fans. Look for the best programs on the West Coast and even those nationally to zero in on the polished center, as California and a bevy of others continue to chase.
The Huskies will remain in the hunt for another piece or two this spring, but the one name that keeps coming up is Tremont Waters, who was originally set to attend Georgetown in the fall. Last month, the top-50 guard backed off his pledge to the Big East program, and ever since things have been silent out of Waters’ camp.
What we do know is that UConn would love to add Waters, and thanks to its close proximity to the talented guard, Kevin Ollie’s program has to be perceived as a leader for him. Others including Western Kentucky and Creighton have been connected to Waters, but UConn may end up being the landing spot for the in-state recruit.
This past weekend in Indianapolis, some of the top prospects from the Under Armour and Nike circuits hit the floor. We give a quick rundown on potential candidates:
Tre Jones: The little brother of Tyus Jones has had a phenomenal spring thus far, averaging 15 points, eight assists and five rebounds. He went from the leader of the second crust of top floor generals squarely into the debate as the best of the best.
Ayo Dosunmu: Despite playing at less than 100 percent, Dosunmu might be the most competitive point guard in America. On a team that is reliant on him, the Mac Irvin Fire guard is averaging more than 22 points per game and is one of the top guards in getting to the line.
Javonte Smart: Smart might not be the most explosive of the bunch, but he is someone that, even in a poor outing, can finish with a complete stat line of 17-7-7 without blinking an eye.
Darius Garland: Garland was emphatically good on Friday evening dropping 32 points on 17 shots attempted; he sits as the best point guard in our very own 2018 class rankings.
Devon Dotson: Dotson continues to make a push up the rankings; he is nearly unstoppable in getting to the basket, as he displays shades of Jameer Nelson at the lead guard position.
Elijah Weaver: Weaver, the biggest of the bunch, has bettered his perimeter jumper but is still an excellent playmaker that can guard all three spots in the backcourt.
Javhon Quinerly: Quinnerly may not look the part of an elite lead guard, but the super crafty and quick junior may be the most polished. He has been a leader since hitting the high school hardwood and is now seeing his recruitment hit the national stage.
Throw in others like Courtney Ramey, a top-30 commit to Louisville, Immanuel Quickley, a 6-foot-4 junior that absolutely shredded his opposition last weekend in Dallas, David Duke, an up-and-comer from Massachusetts, and Quentin Grimes, a five-star prospect that is transitioning into the lead guard spot, and the debate over the best point guard in America is not nearing an end anytime soon.
