Way too early prediction time: Where top 2018 stars will go
All this week, we’ve been covering the early signing period for the class of 2017. Today, we’d like to take a stab at previewing what the early period could end up looking like for the top 15 undecided players from the class of 2018.
RELATED: Class of 2017 team rankings
Status: The nation’s top player – and by a healthy margin at this point – has already cut things down to a final six of Arizona, Arizona State, Duke, Kentucky, Oregon and UCLA. We don’t anticipate this one ending early.
Way too early prediction: Kentucky.
Status: The 6-foot-7 manchild made a huge splash during the summer with a playing style reminiscent to that of a young Larry Johnson. Pretty much every major program in the country has offered at this point and he’s already been making the rounds. We expect his recruitment to end up a blue blood battle.
Way too early prediction: Kentucky.
Status: The most polished scorer in the class of 2018, Langford has already attracted offers from Duke, Indiana, Kansas, Louisville and others and he’s also been one that has been proactive in his recruitment. Louisville is real close to home and if distance is a factor, that could be hugely beneficial to them.
Way too early prediction: Louisville.
Status: Given his top five status, it seems like things have been pretty quiet for the long and skilled four man. By the time things are done he’s likely to have his choice of all the top programs, but early on, he’s looking like one who may choose to stay out West and has Arizona, California, Nevada, UCLA, Kansas and many others taking a look.
Way too early prediction: California.
Status: Maybe the most physical player in the class of 2018, De Sousa is going to shatter a backboard before things are over with. He talks a lot about Louisville and Maryland early and teammate Bruno Fernando is from the class of 2017 will be a Terp.
Way too early prediction: Maryland.
Status: A tall, smooth and skilled wing, Reddish has a chance to be the face of “positionless” basketball in the class of 2018. He can pass, he can drive and he’s go a jumper that should be a weapon when he’s done developing.
Way too early prediction: Duke.
Status: Like most in the class of 2018, Shittu looks to be pretty wide open. A tough and crafty four man who is expanding his game away from the hoop, he’s a native of Canada with wide ranging interest. Florida, Syracuse, Oregon, Washington, Louisville and many others involved.
Way too early prediction: Oregon.
Status: There may not be anybody in the class of 2018 who has been more active on the visit trail. A tall and lengthy wing, Moore is a playmaker off the dribble and has already seen Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Providence and Kentucky to name a few.
Way too early prediction: Auburn.
Status: Right now, Liddell is more about what he could be than what he currently is. He plays with energy, is very good on the glass and should be a high level athlete by the time he’s done maturing physically. Texas has been very aggressive on this one early.
Way too early prediction: Texas.
Status: A floor general with size who can also slide over and play the two, he went to the Northeast to see UConn and UMass earlier this fall. LSU, Western Kentucky, Alabama and others have been involved and it will be interesting to see if somebody can get him out of the South.
Way too early prediction: LSU.
Status: The 2018 class is looking a little thin on elite point guard prospects which has made Quickley a hot property. He’s been to Kansas, Kentucky, Georgetown, Maryland and Virginia this fall and he’s got a visit set up for Washington this weekend. The Huskies plucked star freshman Markelle Fultz out of the Mid-Atlantic, could they pull another from the area?
Way too early prediction: Washington.
Status: Don’t let his baby face fool you, Garland is a fierce competitor, winner and a dangerous shooter from deep. Indiana, Vanderbilt, Tennessee, Louisville and many others are involved and he just picked up an offer from Duke during an unofficial visit.
Way too early prediction: Duke.
Status: Bol is currently in the midst of a move from Kansas to the Los Angeles area and it will be interesting to see what type of impact it has on his recruitment. The seven-footer has tremendous skill and is a load when engaged. Kansas offered early, UCLA has been sniffing around and his late father Manute Bol was very tight with Chris Mullin during his playing days.
Way too early prediction: St. John’s.
Status: Norris is one of those young players who hasn’t put together consistently great performances. But, he’s got tremendous size, moves very well and has a high upside once he figures it out. Look for him to stay out west. He has taken recent visits to Arizona, UCLA and Washington.
Way too early prediction: Arizona.
Status: A seven-footer who blocks shots and has offense, Brown is really just starting to come into his own. He’s seen St. John’s and Maryland this fall and others like Kansas, Louisville and Kentucky to name a few have been in to see him. It’s been a while since Kansas pulled a kid out of NYC. Could Brown be the guy?
Way too early prediction: Kansas.
