Jarnell Stokes may join the list of elite 2012 players who will sign late.
“Well, I don’t plan on signing early, but then again I may sign early,” the 6-foot-8 Stokes told the Shawn & Wally radio program out of Central Arkansas this past week.
Stokes is considering Memphis, Tennessee, Arkansas, Florida and Kentucky.
“I haven’t narrowed it down at all,” he said. “I like all the schools equally. It’s pros and cons to every school.”
Prodded by the radio hosts, he repeatedly said he liked Arkansas very much during his visit there, even mentioning that his mother believes he will end up going there.
“During the visit I got a chance to chill with the teammates,” he said. “In my opinion, I think the Arkansas teammates as far as getting along pretty well, I think Arkansas was the best visit.
“I got to catch up with coach T.J. [Cleveland], which I’ve been knowing him for a couple years now. And I talked to Mike Anderson and the strength coach showed me a couple stuff. It was fun. I definitely say that was just about my best visit.”
Multiple sources involved in the recruitment told SNY.tv that Stokes will wait until his high school situation is settled before making a college choice.
Stokes had initially planned on playing at Oak Hill Academy this year, but changed course and remained in Memphis and hopes to play at Memphis Southwind after spending three years at Central.
The Memphis Commercial Appeal reported that the Tennessee Secondary Schools Athletic Association will hear Stokes’ appeal on whether he can play for Southwind on Nov. 17. The early signing period ends Nov. 16
The Association could rule him eligible immediately, rule him permanently ineligible or tell him he has to sit out 12 months from his last game last February.
“We don’t know; we’re just going to have to wait and see what they tell us,” Southwind assistant Jewell Gates told the Commercial Appeal. “The most important thing right now is that he’s enrolled as a student at Southwind.”
Stokes teased the radio hosts by saying he could opt to make a decision this coming week before his high school situation is determined.
“I’m leaning towards committing after signing period and then signing in spring,” he said. “But who knows? I may just next Tuesday I might just all of a sudden have it and get ready to just commit and sign.”
If Stokes does sign in the spring, he will join an impressive list of late signees that will include Shabazz Muhammad, Anthony Bennett, Tony Parker, Chris Obekpa, Ricardo Gathers, Savon Goodman, Torian Graham, Jordan Goodman and Devonta Pollard.
FREE THROWS
2012 combo guard Ray Lee of Michigan tells SNY.tv he will sign late and is hearing from Rhode Island, Houston, Penn State and Colorado…Ravenscroft (N.C.) point guard Madison Jones also said he will sign late, and mentioned that Seton Hall and ECU were involved.
