Although interest in the 2017 McDonald’s All-American Game was far below that of previous events (the 40% off ticket sales promotions available yesterday truly says it all), there was still plenty of intrigue on the recruiting front.
During #McDAAG the real basketball is played behind closed doors in front of NBA scouts, what the media and general public see are just, as Ian Darke would put it, “indifferent editions.”
The real competition and news-worthiness lie in recruiting, and the top story on Wednesday surrounded uncommitted Center Brandon McCoy out of San Diego, California.
FWIW: Brandon McCoy's final 5 is MSU/Zona/UNLV/SD St/Ore. When I asked why MSU is only midwest option, tho, he said he's considering Purdue
— Brendan Quinn (@BFQuinn) March 29, 2017
That’s a tweet from Brendan F. Quinn, MLive reporter who covers both Michigan and Michigan State. Both of those schools are represented in the McDAAG this week, with Jaren Jackson committed to Michigan State and the Spartans in the mix for McCoy. The nation’s top uncommitted player, Mohamed Bamba, is considering Michigan.
We were alerted to Quinn’s Tweet by our friends of the program, Hammer and Rails, who write:
if he is legitimately considering Purdue we will take him. He is a 6’11”, 244 pounds center that is a 5-star McDonald’s All-American. ESPN has him as the No. 6 recruit nationally int he 2017 class and Rivals has him at No. 15. If he says he is interested, you offer. Period.
Go to this link for the updated Purdue scholarship grid.
I actually sat next to Quinn at press row tonight and had a few conversations with him during the game. Afterward, Quinn and I were in the same reporter scrum around Brandon McCoy, who listed out all the schools that he’s currently considering.
He mentioned: Arizona, Michigan State, Oregon, San Diego State and UNLV. The 6’11” 244 pound Cathedral High School student did not mention Purdue.
I then asked him if any of the five schools are currently in the lead.
“Not really any leading right now, they all have great programs,” he said after scoring 13 points and grabbing seven rebounds for the West tonight.
He then went on to list what he likes about each of the schools and their respective head coaches. Again, no mention of Purdue, and the Matt Painter was not among the coaches Brandon McCoy discussed.
Finally I asked him if he’s set a date for his decision.
“I haven’t set a date yet, but it’ll be soon,” he responded.
NBA Draft Room has McCoy projected to go 6th overall in 2018, and they say he could be a Dwight Howard light type. NBA Draft.net have him going 12th overall in ’18.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times and NBC Chicago.com, contributes to Chicago Tribune.com, Bold, WGN CLTV and KOZN.
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