Just a Minute with Justin Young: Nov. 30, 2020
In this week's Just a Minute, two 2022 guards from Georgia continue to be linked together in the narrative, UCLA's terrific 2021 recruiting class and showing a little love to those who do the heavy-lifting in a wild, wild year.
GEORGIA’S BEST 2022 GUARDS IN LOCK STEP
It’s interesting how the balance of hoops works. For the last two years I’ve been raving about the guard talent in Georgia’s 2022 class. It’s tremendous; one of the best positional groups I’ve seen from the Peach in two decades. That kind of good.
At the top is Kell’s Scoot Henderson and Milton’s Bruce Thornton. Both guys are top 20 guys for me. They’re on my shortlist for the early McDonald’s All-American game. It’s like that.
So, it didn’t come as a big surprise to me that the Thanksgiving weekend had both of the Atlanta area lead guards in the headlines…nationwide.
Henderson was trending from the Holiday Hoopsgiving. Henderson was masterful in his outings on the biggest stage of the Thanksgiving holiday. Henderson was the best player in the star-studded event and delivered when he needed to.
On the same weekend, Thornton announced his early commitment to Ohio State. His decision pairs himself with a coaching staff and style of play that fits him perfectly.
So, of course these two made news on the same weekend. That’s how the parallel of great players works in the Peach State. There is always a yin and a yang with the top players in Georgia. These two great players will always be locked together in conversation. Hopefully we’ll see the two of them compete this scholastic season.
BRUINS ARE BOOMING
Mac Etienne is headed to UCLA. The 6-foot-10 center from Brewster Academy, the prospect factory in New Hampshire, announced his pledge to the Bruins on Monday morning via Twitter.
He was one of the very best players left uncommitted after the early signing period. Etienne is the No. 39 ranked player in our top 100 ranking. With Etienne, the Bruins add more toughness and grit that Mick Cronin shines with in his rotation. Paired with likely McDonald’s All-American Peyton Watson and Will McClendon, the Bruins have three future starters coming to Westwood
I think UCLA now have the best incoming recruiting class in the Pac-12, as of today. You could argue their three-man class is one of the four to six best classes overall in the country.
The depth of talent coming into the Pac-12 is impressive. There are now 15 players inside our top 100 national rankings from the class of 2021 that are headed West to the conference to play college basketball. UCLA leads the way three players inside the top 65.
Etienne could be an All-Conference performer and a different kind of player needed to separate the Bruins from the rest of the pack in conference play.
CYBER MONDAY THANKS
Thank goodness for live streams.
I’ve evolved my opinion on this over the years. I’m an old school guy who loves to see the action in person. I don’t mind watching film but judging the stack of VHS tapes from 2003 that I still haven’t watched is any indication, I don’t watch enough film. But 2020 came along and the gym doors were closed. Live action came to a halt.
Enter the ever-present live stream.
Thank you to all of the companies out there doing the heavy-lifting to provide a stage right here on my laptop. Your work doesn’t go unnoticed. I’ve spent many nights watching action from the archives and catching players whenever I can.
2020 continues to not be easy with logistics. But we’re all making it work.
