ACC Spotlight: FSU, Georgia Tech, Louisville
When it rains, it pours. That easily could have been said the past few weeks when it came to commitments to programs from within the SEC. Our own Garrett Tucker did a phenomenal job of breaking down the recent slew of commits to programs like Kentucky, Auburn, Alabama, and Florida, and while the streak may not be done yet, I pondered, what conference could take the reins from the SEC and go on its own roll in picking up some quality commitments in the coming weeks? My guess…the Atlantic Coast Conference.
The ACC is coming off a great campaign during the 2014-2015 college basketball season as NC State, Duke, UNC, Virginia, Louisville, and Notre Dame all made great strides that led into March. There is a lot to look forward to with each of the programs but others such as Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, and Florida State have created their own momentum that could lead to success on the hardwood in the coming years.
In attempting to dissect the next commitment for each program and some of the primary targets at hand, the ACC may be in the driver’s seat as the next program to make a run on the recruiting trail.
Today we dive into part two of the five-part series.
FLORIDA STATE
The Seminoles are putting together, what could be, the best class that Leonard Hamilton has ever had in Tallahassee. Two guards in Trent Forrest and CJ Walker are already in stow, however it is the commitment from in-state forward Jon Isaac that has everyone at the ACC program giddy and excited. Things aren’t quite finished yet as Udoka Azubuike, Dewan Huell, and Brandon Robinson are three of the primary targets for the Noles and receiving commits from two of the three wouldn’t surprise. In looking ahead to the 2017 class, bloodlines run straight back to Florida State with top-100 prospects Kevin Knox and Tyler Polley; something to definitely track.
GEORGIA TECH
The Yellow Jackets may be the trend setter, that is if the ACC is about to go on a roll, where they received a commitment out of National Christian (Maryland) product, Christian Matthews. The 6-foot-5 wing can score the ball off the bounce and has the length to be a versatile defender at the next level. In adding to the class, the Atlanta-based program is heavily involved with a slew of east coast recruits. They made the final five with in-state recruit and hard playing wing Josh Okogie, are battling with a bevy of other high-major programs for Deriante Jenkins, and will be getting Canadian guard Kobe McEwen, on its campus in mid-September, with another visit up in the air with Maryland native and point guard, Alani Moore. However, involved with a plentiful amount of wings and with one already in the hopper, Brian Gregory and his staff have done a fine job of remaining in the mix with top-100 recruit Brandon Robinson, and it would seem as if the Douglas County wing is their top target in 2016.
LOUISVILLE
Rick Pitino’s program has been a bit silent of late as they haven’t gotten much tread on their tires with some of their primary targets in 2016 as they recently missed out on Markelle Fultz. However, they do have superb wing, VJ King, already committed and the plan now is in finding a lead guard for next year. They made the final cut for five-star guard De’Aaron Fox, and remain in the hunt for another Texas native, Andrew Jones. A big man is another need for the Cards where they could receive a visit from Javin DeLaurier, a hard-nosed forward from Virginia, and remain in pursuit of Sunshine State big man, Dewan Huell.
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