2020 Men's Basketball Recruiting Thread

[cole256 17,053]

I guess Bruce didn't have big men at Tennessee....

[GwillMac6 20,671]

2 hours ago, Gene Loblaw said:

Don’t get me wrong, I’d love to see Kessler sign with AU. Just as far as negative recruiting is concerned, one thing hampering Bruce is his development of bigs and how he incorporates them into the offense. We all love Austin but he’s probably a burden on Bruce’s back right now on the crootin trail. We’ll see though. I’m perfectly happy getting some 4 year athletic rim protectors like Mac and Horace though. Just not gonna get my hopes up on Kessler 

Fit is everything. Wiley is def not a good fit for Pearls system. Kessler is the perfect type of big man for what Bruce wants to do on offense. And if we cannot have a guy like Kessler guys like A Mac and Horace who are rim running uber athletic shot blockers who you do not need to dump it down in the post too. A Mac being a threat from outside is a added bonus. Big men like Kessler should be really interested in coming to Auburn because it is the perfect system for them. If we do not get him it is only because He is a Georgia legacy or Duke made him a priority.

Edited June 5, 2019 by GwillMac6

[aujeff11 6,243]

2 hours ago, Gene Loblaw said:

Just had my monthly round table chat with the Rivals basketball recruiting analyst. Can’t spill all the deets and tails but I may be eating some crow here about a few prospects. Praise Bruce gang

Seems like every time a national insider tweets that he’s available for questions, you are always there asking a question. And they never answer.

[ellitor 33,092]

1 hour ago, cole256 said:

I guess Bruce didn't have big men at Tennessee....

Yup! Brian Williams, Wayne Chism, & got Jarnell Stokes committed before UT fired him.

[cole256 17,053]

2 hours ago, ellitor said:

Yup! Brian Williams, Wayne Chism, & got Jarnell Stokes committed before UT fired him.

The big men doesn't fit his offense is a myth. And just because a big man can hit a 3 doesn't mean well that guy fits......Bruce is a good coach so that means he can always find a way to use a good player. People will see with Wiley

[mustache eagle 2,400]

wiley just has to stay healthy ... so that he can get extended minutes ... so he can get into a groove ... and for the love of all that is good - people have to pass him the dang ball where he can catch it (and of course he has to actually hold on to it) ... the guy worked himself to death (so did horace) and the ball wouldnt go inside enough.

[ellitor 33,092]

9 hours ago, cole256 said:

The big men doesn't fit his offense is a myth. And just because a big man can hit a 3 doesn't mean well that guy fits......Bruce is a good coach so that means he can always find a way to use a good player. People will see with Wiley

In case my post was confusing I was agreeing with you using sarcasm.

Edited June 5, 2019 by ellitor

[Gene Loblaw 636]

 

 

[Gene Loblaw 636]

Tipton edits guy knows what’s up

[cole256 17,053]

34 minutes ago, ellitor said:

In case my posts was confusing I was agreeing with you using sarcasm.

Yes I know, I was just explaining common myths that are mentioned by other people

[Gene Loblaw 636]

https://247sports.com/college/auburn/Topic/A-few-notes-from-BBall-practice-yesterday-642019-132608231/

Quote

First off the mood was electric with several new freshmen in and the vets returning. The staff was all smiles and it was awesome to see Ira running several drills yesterday. Ira is a fantastic guy and I personally believe AU hoops is for the better with him on the staff...

Here are a few things I saw yesterday and things I gleaned.....

1. Okoro is the real deal. Looks to be around 6'6 now with a frame that only God can gift to a barely out of highschooler. Skilled and was knocking down the three ball with ease. In the three point challenge drill he and Jayvon killed it with over 100 points in the time allowed (that is a fantastic score FYI) Okoro is built to be a three man. He brings elite athleticism, high motor, good handle, court vision and the ability to either drive or pull up with lethality. Early in practice they were doing a full court pass and finish drill and on the break the ball was set to be in Okoros hand for the finish...Jayvon delivers it and says to him "show me something big dog" and Okoro with that great smile he has brought the house down with a massive tomahawk jam....the kind that has the ferocity that gives one the momentary feeling he hates that rim and wants to rip it off the backboard. All the players went nuts and you could see the bonding already starting with this group. 

2. Flanigan was impressive. He's got a good frame to build on and is skilled. Clearly a gym rat and is comfortable right off the bat like one would expect from a coaches kid. I believe Flanagan will be a help this year in a limited capacity but as the years progress will be a key role player. I glue kind of guy. He's athletic which CBP loves and his system rewards. 

3. Othter freshman- well no other was in practice. 

Turbo arrived injured and is on the road torecovery. 

Williams isn't medically cleared to play yet. (I won't go into it but he will be fine in a little bit) I did talk with him and again big time athlete with a great frame and super humble to talk with. 

Stretch- as we know isn't here yet but I did hear very good news yesterday so hopefully this is headed for a resolution that gets him here sooner rather than later.

Franklin- New JC kid. He hasn't quite arrived but will be here shortly.

4. Returning group looked very sharp and fit. I did not see anyone who partied too much after the final four run. Jayvon was really taking the lead yesterday. He seemed very comfortable in doing so with the group seemingly happy with it. Mac look particularly sharp and fit. He really looks more and more like the Mac of pre injury which time wise makes sense. Wiley was ready. I talked with him pre practice and he seems mentally determined to finally have that break out year we all know he can have. Cheers to ya big fella! 

Lastly, this team may add one more but we shall see. If it happens would be game changing. That's all I can say regarding that. 

All in all it was great to see the band back together with some pieces moved on and some new one starting. 

Lastly, recruiting news.......

Folks what CBP has done behind the scenes over the last years is simply heroic type stuff. He is massively taking advantage of everything AU offers and what his teams have accomplished. They have new banners in the practice court that pop regarding all the accolades which were hung just in time for last weekends massive recruiting event. 

2020 is shaping up to be one for the record books. A class that has zero historical comparison as all other classes will not be comparable. AU is in a position that we will be forcing some 5 star kids to either commit when we want them to or they will be left out. We have that many options......let that sink in for a moment. I admit I still struggle to believe it but it's the truth of where things are with 2020. 

The past two years have been beyond bright but the future could be even better. Exciting times no doubt!!

WDE!

 

Super honk Booster Steven Hooks on this past weekend 

Edited June 5, 2019 by ellitor
Added link

[gravejd 3,270]

Man i hope Stretch gets in.....the big man situation after next season will be super touchy even with him in place. We'll have to table the discussion on if Pearls system is good for big men until we get a couple more 😂

[tigerbrotha12 2,362]

1 hour ago, Gene Loblaw said:

First off the mood was electric with several new freshmen in and the vets returning. The staff was all smiles and it was awesome to see Ira running several drills yesterday. Ira is a fantastic guy and I personally believe AU hoops is for the better with him on the staff...

Here are a few things I saw yesterday and things I gleaned.....

1. Okoro is the real deal. Looks to be around 6'6 now with a frame that only God can gift to a barely out of highschooler. Skilled and was knocking down the three ball with ease. In the three point challenge drill he and Jayvon killed it with over 100 points in the time allowed (that is a fantastic score FYI) Okoro is built to be a three man. He brings elite athleticism, high motor, good handle, court vision and the ability to either drive or pull up with lethality. Early in practice they were doing a full court pass and finish drill and on the break the ball was set to be in Okoros hand for the finish...Jayvon delivers it and says to him "show me something big dog" and Okoro with that great smile he has brought the house down with a massive tomahawk jam....the kind that has the ferocity that gives one the momentary feeling he hates that rim and wants to rip it off the backboard. All the players went nuts and you could see the bonding already starting with this group. 

2. Flanigan was impressive. He's got a good frame to build on and is skilled. Clearly a gym rat and is comfortable right off the bat like one would expect from a coaches kid. I believe Flanagan will be a help this year in a limited capacity but as the years progress will be a key role player. I glue kind of guy. He's athletic which CBP loves and his system rewards. 

3. Othter freshman- well no other was in practice. 

Turbo arrived injured and is on the road torecovery. 

Williams isn't medically cleared to play yet. (I won't go into it but he will be fine in a little bit) I did talk with him and again big time athlete with a great frame and super humble to talk with. 

Stretch- as we know isn't here yet but I did hear very good news yesterday so hopefully this is headed for a resolution that gets him here sooner rather than later.

Franklin- New JC kid. He hasn't quite arrived but will be here shortly.

4. Returning group looked very sharp and fit. I did not see anyone who partied too much after the final four run. Jayvon was really taking the lead yesterday. He seemed very comfortable in doing so with the group seemingly happy with it. Mac look particularly sharp and fit. He really looks more and more like the Mac of pre injury which time wise makes sense. Wiley was ready. I talked with him pre practice and he seems mentally determined to finally have that break out year we all know he can have. Cheers to ya big fella! 

Lastly, this team may add one more but we shall see. If it happens would be game changing. That's all I can say regarding that. 

All in all it was great to see the band back together with some pieces moved on and some new one starting. 

Lastly, recruiting news.......

Folks what CBP has done behind the scenes over the last years is simply heroic type stuff. He is massively taking advantage of everything AU offers and what his teams have accomplished. They have new banners in the practice court that pop regarding all the accolades which were hung just in time for last weekends massive recruiting event. 

2020 is shaping up to be one for the record books. A class that has zero historical comparison as all other classes will not be comparable. AU is in a position that we will be forcing some 5 star kids to either commit when we want them to or they will be left out. We have that many options......let that sink in for a moment. I admit I still struggle to believe it but it's the truth of where things are with 2020. 

The past two years have been beyond bright but the future could be even better. Exciting times no doubt!!

WDE!

 

Super honk Booster Steven Hooks on this past weekend 

“AU is in a position that we will be forcing some 5 star kids to either commit when we want them to or they will be left out.” 

That sentence tells me we are in really good shape with multiple 5* guys.......

[tigerbrotha12 2,362]

22 hours ago, McLoofus said:

So who's the Keith Neihbur of AU hoops?

Maybe Jeffery Lee

[ellitor 33,092]

Remember @Gene Loblaw to always add links if possible when bringing stuff over from Hooks. Not everything he posts is free. This was free & the link was added to your post.

Edited June 5, 2019 by ellitor

[ellitor 33,092]

20 minutes ago, tigerbrotha12 said:

Maybe Jeffery Lee

He's the Anti-Keith.

[doverstutts 1,643]

i am already looking forward to basketball while trying to avoid any thoughts of the other sport....this recruiting excitement makes me think that basketball should be priortized for the immediate future with spending and emphasis increased.....30 wins in basketball is a helluva' lot more fun (and stressful) than 7 wins in football

[ellitor 33,092]

 

Quote

 

Auburn basketball targets in the latest Top247

By Keith Niebuhr 3 hours ago

 

Five-star guard Sharife Cooper. (Photo: Jason Caldwell/Inside The Auburn Tigers, 247Sports)

247Sports released the updated Top247 for the basketball class of 2020 on Wednesday and several Auburn targets are on the list. With the Tigers recruiting at a level the program never has previously seen, that should come as no surprise.

Just last weekend in fact, Bruce Pearl and Co. hosted several elite players — three of whom are 5-stars.

Today, we take a look at some notable prospects and their respective rankings in our most recent rankings update. You can read about the update as a whole HERE. Below you'll see how some key Auburn targets fared.

***

Greg Brown, Austin (Texas) Vandegrift, PF

New ranking: No. 9

Old ranking: No. 6

411: Brown, who is 6-feet-9, is unofficially visiting the Tigers this week. The Tigers are in the mix, along with programs such as Kansas, North Carolina and Texas. “I’m interested in Auburn a lot,” Brown said about the Tigers in April. “I just got a feel for Auburn when they came for the in-home visit. I’m looking at them tough right now.”

***

Walker Kessler, Atlanta (Ga.) Woodward Academy, C

New ranking: No. 12

Old ranking: No. 12

411: The 5-star post player is a Georgia legacy (his dad and uncle played there), but Auburn was the first to offer and the Tigers are a top contender at this time along with the Bulldogs, Duke, Gonzaga and Virginia. Kessler officially visited Auburn last weekend and by all accounts that went well.

***

Brandon Boston Jr., Norcross (Ga.) SG

New ranking: No. 15

Old ranking: No. 11

411: Evan Daniels of 247Sports said this last week about Boston: “While Boston’s recruitment still seems tough to gauge, I think Auburn is in a better position than most nationally realize. That doesn’t necessarily mean I think he’s going there, but they have a punchers chance at this stage, and there’s still a lot to play out.” Kentucky currently holds the lead in the 247Sports Crystal Ball.

***

Sharife Cooper, Powder Springs (Ga.) McEachern, PG

New ranking: No. 21

Old ranking: No. 18

411: Cooper, who visited the Tigers last weekend, is thought by many to be a strong Auburn lean. The Tigers got in on him very early and that seems to be paying off. Said Daniels: “Cooper is a tremendous fit for Auburn and would be a terrific pick up for the Tigers. I put in a Crystal Ball for Cooper and Auburn a long time ago, and I don’t foresee that changing, at least the way things are going right now.”

***

Rongie Gordon, Montgomery (Ala.) Lanier, PF

New ranking: No. 113

Old ranking: No. 133

411: Gordon visited the Tigers last weekend and Bruce Pearl’s program is very much in the hunt, along with schools such as Alabama and Georgia Tech. There are some who think the Tigers are the clear team to beat, at least party because Gordon has said they have prioritized him the most. He’s an Anfernee McLemore type in terms of body and skill.

***

Justin Powell, Goshen (Kent.) North Oldham, SG

New ranking: No. 171

Old ranking: No. 153

411: Auburn was one of the first schools to offer Powell and others such as Cincinnati, Georgia Tech and Xavier have followed. Additionally, Kentucky and Ohio State are showing interest. Per Daniels: “David Levitch, Powell's high school coach, told me the schools recruiting him are Ohio State, Xavier, Georgia Tech, Indiana, Butler, Florida, Xavier, Arkansas and Illinois. He noted that Auburn, Georgia Tech, Ohio State and Xavier are pushing harder than the others. Powell is known for his shot making ability. Unfortunately I missed him on the spring circuit because he has a minor injury that kept him out of the final two EYBL sessions.” He visited Auburn last weekend.

***

Colby Jones, Birmingham (Ala.) Mountain Brook, SG

New ranking: No. 118

Old ranking: No. 252

411: Jones, who visited Auburn last week, has really seen his stock soar of late thanks to a strong spring/summer. In 13 Nike EYBL games, Jones is averaging 15.3 points, 8.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game and that apparently has opened some eyes. Alabama, Clemson, Georgia and Xavier are some of the other programs involved in this recruitment.

***

Chris Moore, West Memphis (Ark.), PF

New ranking: No. 88

Old ranking: No. 89

411: Moore is a post player the Tigers watched recently at the Nike EYBL event and seem to like a lot. Auburn is among his favorites. Ole Miss is another team to watch. Memphis, too. “It’s a great school — real great school,” Moore said of Auburn. “I love Coach Pearl, the energy that he gives everyday and the way he gets the best out of his guys. They had a great run. I’ve been down there. Great school.. Great atmosphere. Everything about it. The campus, the way they play is great.”

***

Nimari Burnett, Napa (Calif.) Prolific Prep, CG

New ranking: No. 29

Old ranking: No. 30

411: Auburn offered the elite guard this spring and he said there’s a chance the Tigers ultimately could land an official visit. That offer came after the Tigers watched him play up close in Georgia. “I talk to them a lot,” Burnett said in May “I’ve talked to the coaches from Auburn for like three or four months before they offered. We built a relationship and then they offered. I was a little bit surprised (they waited to offer), but it’s not a negative for them at all. It tells me they’re the type of program that really wants to see if you’re interested in them, as well as them being interested in you. They want the right fit, not only on the court but for character.”

 

 

[Dual-Threat Rigby 8,665]

I was telling my boy Cole, Okoro is gonna be a top 3 guy for us, possibly out of necessity 

 

At least on the NBA level, teams go as far as small forwards can take them, having an elite one seems to set the contenders apart. Might be different on this level but Im glad we finally got one.

[tigerbrotha12 2,362]

OP updated to include Powell commitment, as well as Stone and Springer visits this weekend.

[ellitor 33,092]

5 minutes ago, tigerbrotha12 said:

OP updated to include Powell commitment, as well as Stone and Springer visits this weekend.

Loving the work Brotha! Pretty sure though Greg Brown's 6/5 visit wasn't an OV though. Would have been a waist of an OV for him to be here a few hours when OVs are allowed for up to 48 hours.

[tigerbrotha12 2,362]

3 minutes ago, ellitor said:

Loving the work Brotha! Pretty sure though Greg Brown's 6/5 visit wasn't an OV though. Would have been a waist of an OV for him to be here a few hours when OVs are allowed for up to 48 hours.

Thanks E, any idea on the Stone/Springer visits this weekend? Can't find if they are OVs or UVs

[ellitor 33,092]

25 minutes ago, tigerbrotha12 said:

Thanks E, any idea on the Stone/Springer visits this weekend? Can't find if they are OVs or UVs

https://247sports.com/college/auburn/Article/Talented-class-of-2020-basketball-guard-chooses-Bruce-Pearls-Auburn-Tigers-132671489/

Quote

Auburn's coaches are expected to have two more highly-regarded guards on campus this weekend for official visit. Jaden Springer is a 6-4 shooting guard at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., who is rated five stars as the No. 9 prospect nationally in his class. Also scheduled in for a visit is four-star guard Jayden Stone, who is six-foot-three and attends Sunrise Christian in Wichita, Kan. He is rated as the No. 48 shooting guard in the 2020 class. Stone made the move to Sunrise Christian after leading Sacred Heart to the Alabama High School Athletic Association Class 2A state championship this year and was named the Alabama Sports Writers Association Class 2A Player of the Year.

 

[Dual-Threat Rigby 8,665]

It’d be magical to get Springer right after ol boy today, hope we at least end up as a cemented top 2 though 

[Gene Loblaw 636]

https://www.zagsblog.com/2019/06/07/justin-powell-to-auburn/

 

according to this. Big time center prospect, Clifford Omoruyi, is visiting in two weeks as well. Would love to snag a commitment from that young man