2021 Men's Basketball Recruiting Thread

[toddc 13,194]

 

[steeleagle 2,945]

55 minutes ago, toddc said:

 

He scored 15 points against Alabama. Take him!!

 

[cole256 17,042]

On 3/28/2021 at 4:07 PM, toddc said:

 

I hope we are really scouting these guys. Don't want to set a precedent that you can put up numbers against suck competition and we'll take you!

[Rednilla 5,383]

15 hours ago, cole256 said:

I hope we are really scouting these guys. Don't want to set a precedent that you can put up numbers against suck competition and we'll take you!

I feel pretty confident that if they got the scholly offer based purely on those numbers, then the offer is not a committable one, but rather a jumping off point for a potential recruit that will be thoroughly examined on film by the staff before we would accept their commitment...and, in fact, thinking about it, that makes a lot of sense, considering we're in limbo about Coop's status (I'm still hoping he stays, but most everyone around here at least seems pretty convinced he's gone). If he leaves, we'll need another ball handler, so we're shaking the limbs a little bit to see what fruit there might be to pick, should it become necessary. 

[TigerPAC 965]

everyone has to do it now, but this transfer portal junk is about to ruin college basketball, IMO.

[steeleagle 2,945]

17 hours ago, cole256 said:

I hope we are really scouting these guys. Don't want to set a precedent that you can put up numbers against suck competition and we'll take you!

Uh...no. I am sure Bruce and staff read these twitter posts, and make their decision accordingly. 

Edited March 31, 2021 by steeleagle

[Dual-Threat Rigby 8,662]

9 hours ago, Rednilla said:

I feel pretty confident that if they got the scholly offer based purely on those numbers, then the offer is not a committable one, but rather a jumping off point for a potential recruit that will be thoroughly examined on film by the staff before we would accept their commitment...and, in fact, thinking about it, that makes a lot of sense, considering we're in limbo about Coop's status (I'm still hoping he stays, but most everyone around here at least seems pretty convinced he's gone). If he leaves, we'll need another ball handler, so we're shaking the limbs a little bit to see what fruit there might be to pick, should it become necessary. 

Yeah, I think we're basically translating the high school recruiting circuit to transfers. Don't know how willing guys who are on their last years and looking to play now will be in participating with this, but we've seem to cast a wide enough web (that's ever growing) 

[toddc 13,194]

Keeping tabs on Auburn basketball's transfer targets

3 hours ago

 

In today’s college basketball, picking up a couple transfers in the offseason to fill in some gaps and reload a roster is exceedingly common — and Auburn is deep in the transfer portal seeking out some help this offseason.

Consistent-scoring guard Justin Powell, veteran guard Jamal Johnson and reserve small forward Javon Franklin all left Auburn via the transfer portal, and the Tigers could lose a couple players to the NBA Draft. So it’s fair to say that Bruce Pearl’s two current signees in his 2021 class may not be enough to replenish his roster.

Auburn has already landed a commitment from Zep Jasper, an experienced guard from the College of Charleston who averaged 15.6 points per game last season and was an all-conference defender. It’s likely Pearl will add at least one more transfer, maybe two depending on how things shake out with the team’s NBA draft declarations.

This is a historic year for the transfer portal in basketball that may mark a changing of the times and a new normal for the sport. At the end of March, there were 1,056 players in the basketball portal, which already surpasses last year’s total from the end of the cycle in August, according to 247Sports’s Travis Branham.

With that being said, more Auburn targets will emerge in the portal in the near future and possibly in the coming months; Auburn has even received June commitments from transfers in the past.

Here’s a list of who Auburn is involved with so far and what each player could bring to the table for the Tigers in 2021-22. 

This list will be continually updated whenever the Tigers put themselves in the mix with another transfer, or when a player from this list removes Auburn from his suitors.

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XAVIER PINSON, G (MISSOURI)

 

Auburn was the first school to offer Pinson after he entered his name into the portal, and it’s no surprise why. The Chicago native has three years of SEC experience, including a full-time starting job this past season, during which he averaged 13.6 points per game.

He can play both guard spots, which should make him all the more sought after by Pearl should Auburn star point guard Sharife Cooper declare for the NBA Draft. It’s unclear, however, whether SEC transfers will be allowed to move schools within the conference and play immediately.

Pinson has not yet narrowed down a list of finalists.

 

NIMARI BURNETT, G (TEXAS TECH)

 

Once a big-time Auburn target out of high school, the former five-star prospect Burnett announced he would be leaving the Texas Tech program and entering the portal before the season ended.

A combo guard at 6-foot-5, Burnett played 12 games for Chris Beard’s Red Raiders this season, averaging 5.3 points per night while playing 17.7 minutes. 

Burnett put Auburn in his final six schools, along with Illinois, USC, Vanderbilt, Oregon, Alabama and LSU. Illinois and Alabama are thought to be his leaders. He’ll make his decision April 8.

 

WALKER KESSLER, C (NORTH CAROLINA)

 

Another former five-star player whom Auburn was deeply involved with the high-school recruitment of, Kessler transferred out of UNC last this month after developing into a strong frontcourt presence for the Tar Heels over the course of his true freshman season. Kessler scored in double figures in half of North Carolina’s last 10 games and averaged nearly six rebounds per night during that stretch as his playing time increased.

However, Kessler will still be moving on, and Auburn looks to be right in the thick of things for the 7-foot-1 center. Pearl’s program was in Kessler’s top three schools during the summer of 2019 before UNC swooped in and made a late push.

Now, Auburn is one of Kessler’s favorites, sources close to the situation told Auburn Undercover, though Gonzaga still looks like the team to beat.

 

NOAH GURLEY, PF (FURMAN)

 

If Auburn misses on Kessler and wants another skilled big man, it could do a lot worse than Gurley, who averaged 15.4 points and 5.6 rebounds per game at Furman last season.

A high-level rim protector and a scorer from anywhere on the floor, Gurley shot 49% from the field last season and 34% from 3-point range. He has three years of experience, plus the last two starting in the frontcourt for the Paladins.

According to Jake Weingarten of Stockrisers.com, Gurley has already met with Auburn's coaching staff virtually. Vanderbilt's Jerry Stackhouse did the same, and a slew of other programs have contacted Gurley, as well. He has yet to trim down a list after entering the portal only a few days ago.

 

MYREON JONES, SG (PENN STATE)

 

Auburn was one of the first schools involved with Jones, Penn State's leading scorer from last season (15.3 points), after he entered the portal in mid-March.

He's less of a facilitator and more of a scorer, but Auburn could still pursue another pure point guard to run the offense should Jones, also an All-Big Ten defender, come on board.

Jones is a Birmingham native, which has given Auburn, Alabama and even UAB some buzz with his transfer recruitment, though a host of programs have obviously sought out his services since he left PSU. 

 

WENDELL GREEN, PG (EASTERN KENTUCKY)

 

One of the top-rated point guards in the portal, Auburn quickly got in contact with Green after he left EKU, according to Weingarten. 

Leaving after just one season with Eastern Kentucky, the 5-foot-11 Green scored 15.8 points per game as a true freshman while dishing 5.0 assists and averaging 1.6 steals per contest, one of the highest marks in college basketball.

 

NOAH LOCKE, SG (FLORIDA)

 

Auburn appears to be in the thick of things for another high-profile transfer from the SEC East. He could be a player that most seamlessly replaces Powell's production as an outside scorer.

Locke played three years for the Gators and averaged 10.6 points per game, shooting better than 40% from 3-point range in each of the past two seasons. 

According to multiple reports, Auburn was one of the first programs involved with Locke this week. Expect his recruitment to heat up soon, with the Tigers likely to get a good look from the former four-star prospect.

 

FATTS RUSSELL, PG (RHODE ISLAND)

 

Certainly an first-teamer on the all-name list, Russell put Auburn in his list of the 13 transfer destinations he's most interested in a couple weeks ago.

Russell has been a high-level guard since he arrived at Rhode Island, averaging 15.9 points per game over his three seasons and 4.5 assists per game over the past two years. Like Green, he's a quick and talented defender, too, averaging 2.4 steals per game over his sophomore and junior seasons.

 

KYKY TANDY, G (XAVIER)

 

A volume 3-point shooter, Tandy was 35.5% from beyond the arc his two seasons at Xavier. Last year, the combo guard averaged 6.6 points per game overall.

Auburn was one of the first programs to reach out to Tandy after he entered the portal early in March. Pearl also recruited Tandy as a four-star prospect out of Kentucky in high school.

He hasn't cut down his list yet, and it's also thought to be a possibility that he returns to Xavier.

 

KEEP AN EYE ON: DESI SILLS, SG (ARKANSAS)

 

Sills raised eyebrows across the SEC when he entered the portal Wednesday, and he quickly becomes one of the biggest transfers in the conference. Capable of scoring in bunches any given night and playing both guard spots, Sills averaged 7.7 points per game over his three seasons with the Razorbacks.

Given Sills' transfer recruitment is still in its infancy, it isn't known whether Auburn has reached out yet, though he fits the profile of several similar players on this list that Pearl has already targeted. Don't be surprised if the Tigers get involved soon, though.

Pearl was a big fan of his every time Auburn matched up with Arkansas in recent years. Sills' two highest-scoring games of this past season (23 and 22 points) were in the Razorbacks' two showdowns with Auburn.

"He was the best player out there in a lot of ways," Pearl said of Sills after Auburn's SEC opener against the Hogs. "Really good player, fun kid to watch. I really like him.

 

NOT A TRANSFER: TYTY WASHINGTON (NO. 3 PG IN 2021 CLASS)

 

Could Pearl be dipping back in for a third player out of the 2021 class?

11COMMENTS

After Washington decommitted from Creighton last month, Auburn increased its pursuit of the No. 3 point guard in the class. His top 10 included Auburn back earlier in his recruitment — before his initially committed to Creighton last November.

At 6-foot-3 out of Arizona, Washington would give Auburn an immediate answer at point guard not only to fill in for a possible exit by Cooper, but for the future of the program, as well. The Tigers have begun to receive more buzz for Washington over the past week, though they'll be up against nearly every blue blood in the sport in his recruitment.

Though he's rated a four-star, Washington was named one of five finalists for the Naismith High School Player of the Year award on Wednesday. 

https://247sports.com/college/auburn/board/42/Contents/keeping-tabs-on-auburn-basketballs-transfer-targets-163454569/

[ellitor 33,082]

Strange Nate included the high schooler TyTy but not Scoot given the chances of him reclassifying to 2021 are very real.

[Rednilla 5,383]

3 minutes ago, ellitor said:

Strange Nate included the high schooler TyTy but not Scoot given the chances of him reclassifying to 2021 are very real.

Anything new about whether Scoot's HS is going to let him graduate early?

[ellitor 33,082]

1 minute ago, Rednilla said:

Anything new about whether Scoot's HS is going to let him graduate early?

@Rednilla You're getting Scoot mixed up with football recruit Alston. There's never been any word on Scoot's HS being an issue on him reclassifying.

[gr82be 14,423]

On 3/31/2021 at 10:03 AM, TigerPAC said:

everyone has to do it now, but this transfer portal junk is about to ruin college basketball, IMO.

It's been said before but there are different reasons a player might want to transfer and how the fan feels about it is irrelevant to them. No player is going to transfer into a situation that they don't feel is better for them. Same as you or me changing jobs. Transfer portal and one and dones are there for the player. It's not there for the fan to be comfortable with. 

[AuburnMike86 43]

45 minutes ago, gr82be said:

It's been said before but there are different reasons a player might want to transfer and how the fan feels about it is irrelevant to them. No player is going to transfer into a situation that they don't feel is better for them. Same as you or me changing jobs. Transfer portal and one and dones are there for the player. It's not there for the fan to be comfortable with. 

Sure, but we all know this season is different. People can try to normalize or white knight this all that want but this isn't a good thing. The free transfer has turned this into free agency. Going to the draft or getting paid to play ball in the G-League or overseas is one thing. This seasons transfer list is another. 

 

 

 

[Rednilla 5,383]

4 hours ago, ellitor said:

@Rednilla You're getting Scoot mixed up with football recruit Alston. There's never been any word on Scoot's HS being an issue on him reclassifying.

You're right, I am. Dang it.

[TigerPAC 965]

@gr82be

no banter intended but jobs and the portal are no where equal, to me.  They may be to you and that is perfectly fine.  

[tgrogan21 6,198]

11 hours ago, TigerPAC said:

@gr82be

no banter intended but jobs and the portal are no where equal, to me.  They may be to you and that is perfectly fine.  

And why not? Whether you like to admit it or not, College sports are a job to these young adults. Transferring to another school could improve their chances at a raise (the NBA) with more experience (playing time).

I'm all for giving the PLAYERS every opportunity to be successful since they don't get paid to put their bodies/careers on the line.

[TigerPAC 965]

13 minutes ago, tgrogan21 said:

And why not? Whether you like to admit it or not, College sports are a job to these young adults. Transferring to another school could improve their chances at a raise (the NBA) with more experience (playing time).

I'm all for giving the PLAYERS every opportunity to be successful since they don't get paid to put their bodies/careers on the line.

Then you will have 95+% of disappointed uneducated athletes, whom most will never be a professional in ANYTHING.  

[tgrogan21 6,198]

5 minutes ago, TigerPAC said:

Then you will have 95+% of disappointed uneducated athletes, whom most will never be a professional in ANYTHING.  

You can always come back to school or complete your schooling online. You only have a small window to show teams in the NBA/NFL that you can play.

[McLoofus 35,182]

2 hours ago, TigerPAC said:

Then you will have 95+% of disappointed uneducated athletes, whom most will never be a professional in ANYTHING.  

No, 95% of the players who transfer will not be disappointed and/or uneducated because of transferring. What on earth would make you suggest such a number?

You realize they're transferring to colleges, right? Colleges that offer degrees just like their first one did? Why would you assume that they won't get a degree at their new school or elsewhere?

Also, did you stop to consider that the reason that they're in the portal to begin with is that they very well might already be disappointed? 

Should non-athlete students similarly be beholden to the first university they attend out of high school?

Really think about why you don't like it. 

Oh, and I assume that you are against Auburn teams accepting transfers. Since they are ruining college sports. What exactly does that mean, by the way?

[ellitor 33,082]

[aubearcat 2,137]

2 hours ago, TigerPAC said:

Then you will have 95+% of disappointed uneducated athletes, whom most will never be a professional in ANYTHING.  

[Rednilla 5,383]

8 hours ago, TigerPAC said:

Then you will have 95+% of disappointed uneducated athletes, whom most will never be a professional in ANYTHING.  

Really? So 95+% of those who transfer not only won't get an education from their new school, they won't EVER get ANY kind of job? I mean, professional means you get paid for it. Working as a carpenter? You're a professional carpenter. Working as an engineer? You're a professional engineer. Working at McDonald's flipping burgers? You're a professional cook.

Furthermore, there are a lot of professional leagues around the world. Basketball isn't like football, where there's only like 2 professional leagues in existence. Every player that left Auburn's team after the 2018-2019 season is playing basketball professionally...

[Dual-Threat Rigby 8,662]

Anyone who’s ever uttered “x will ruin college sports” only seems to be possible of regurgitating hackneyed takes that someone who directly or indirectly receives money from the NCAA provides 

just something I’ve noticed

Edited April 2, 2021 by Dual-Threat Rigby

[cole256 17,042]

7 hours ago, TigerPAC said:

Then you will have 95+% of disappointed uneducated athletes, whom most will never be a professional in ANYTHING.  

So you most like making stuff up as points in a debate......I bet you are undefeated then

[toddc 13,194]