Beginning Wednesday, college coaches from across the land will head out to Las Vegas, Orlando, Atlantic City and other spots for the last evaluation period of July.
Plenty will be on the line as the 2013 class is chock full of difference-makers and talented players who will soon decide their college plans.
Here’s a quick (unscientific) look at 12 schools in good shape with recruits heading into the final evaluation period.
1. Kentucky — As discussed in
this story from Monday, Kentucky is, to no one’s surprise, involved with a Who’s Who of 2013 talent, including
Jabari Parker, Julius Randle, the Harrison Twins, James Young, Aaron Gordon and
Andrew Wiggins (who may or may not reclassify)
, among others.
2. Florida — While everyone else is
pursuing players, Florida landed a verbal
pledge from 2013 forward
Chris Walker on Sunday. A future pro, Walker will pair with AAU teammate
Kasey Hill to give the Gators a devastating 1-2 punch beginning in 2013. Florida remains involved with some very big fish, including
Jermaine Lawrence, Austin Nichols and
Rondae Jefferson in 2013 and
Chris McCullough in 2014.
3. Duke — Coach K is leading the Dream Team this summer, but he still remains very much alive for both
Jabari Parker and
Julius Randle, as well as others like
Marcus Lee, Austin Nichols and
Allerik Freeman. Parker, the No. 1 player in 2013, could well decide between Duke, Michigan State and Kentucky.
4. Michigan State — Chicago recruiting expert
Roy Schmidt thinks MSU has as good a shot as anyone at Parker because of his relationship with coach
Tom Izzo and its proximity to Chicago. Izzo also tracked wing
James Young and point guard
Wes Clark of The Family at the Peach Jam, and Clark told SNY.tv the two could potentially package there.
5. Syracuse –– The Orange have to be considered the clubhouse favorite for CIA Bounce and St. Benedict’s Prep point guard
Tyler Ennis, who has led his team to the finals of both the Nike Global Challenge and the Peach Jam. Syracuse is also in the mix for
Jermaine Lawrence, Rondae Jefferson, James Young and
Wes Clark in 2013,
Chris McCullough in 2014 and
Isaiah Briscoe in 2015.
6. North Carolina — Heels coach
Roy Williams followed
Andrew Wiggins at the Global Challenge and the Peach Jam, and although Wiggins is likely headed to Kentucky or possibly Florida State, he is known to like Carolina as well.
Julius Randle could also land with the Heels, although they have stiff competition from Kentucky, Duke, Kansas, N.C. State, Texas and Baylor.
7. Washington — The Huskies are the favorite to land 6-9 forward
Aaron Gordon, who had 16 and 10 in the Peach Jam final despite facing injuries. Gordon is a high-flying, dunking machine similar to
Blake Griffin who would be a major score for coach
Lorenzo Romar. UW is also in the mix for West Coast forwards
Marcus Lee and
Jabari Bird, among others.
8. Arizona — Sean Miller and company have secured a pipeline to the Oakland Soldiers, having landed
Brandon Ashley, Nick Johnson and
Josiah Turner in the past. Now they have a shot at
Aaron Gordon, Jabari Bird and Stanley Johnson, a two-way stud who may have been the MVP of the Peach Jam final. The Wildcats are also among
Rondae Jefferson’s final 7.
9. Louisville — Already loaded for the upcoming season, Louisville is hoping to land
Tyler Ennis at the point guard, but they’re in a tough battle with Syracuse and Illinois.
Rick Pitino’s crew is also in the mix for Hampton, Va., teammates
Troy Williams and
Anthony “Cat” Barber, who are talking about a potential package to Louisville or Alabama, if Barber doesn’t go to Kansas.
10(t). Alabama — Head coach
Anthony Grant was all over the Nike circuit following
Troy Williams and
Cat Barber, among others. If he could land the athletic duo, they could cause major damage in the SEC.
10(t). Kansas — Bill Self and
Joe Dooley were also all over the Nike events, following
Cat Barber, Julius Randle and
Al Freeman, among others. Their best shots appear to be with Barber at the point and potentially Randle up front. KU is also involved with 2013 forward
Jermaine Lawrence and 2014 forward
Chris McCullough, both of New York.
Austin Nichols also mentions KU.
10(t). Indiana — Head coach
Tom Crean and assistant
Kenny Johnson have a good one in forward
Trey Lyles, who excelled alongside
Andrew Wiggins with Team Canada at the Nike Global Challenge.
They are also in the mix for big man
Beejay Anya, who is tight with Johnson and IU commit
Stanford Robinson, as well
Marcus Lee, Jaquan Lyle and
Trevon Bluiett
