With six McDonald’s All-Americans on their way to Lexington, it is pretty obvious as to why the Kentucky Wildcats have the number one recruiting class in 2013. In fact, you can make an argument that the group of Julius Randle, Andrew and Aaron Harrison, Dakari Johnson, James Young, and Marcus Lee might be the best recruiting class of all time. Wherever they rank on that list, one thing is for certain; this freshmen class will face an incredible amount of pressure with such high expectations placed upon this group.
Follow paulmbanksMcDonald’s All-American Games staying in Chicago till 2015
The McDonald’s All American Games will stay in Chicago through 2015. After Windy City fans shattered the event’s attendance record in 2011, and returned in-force for the 2012 Games, McDonald’s and the United Center agreed to a two-year contract extension, including an option to renew in 2016.
Follow paulmbanksFlorida’s Bradley Beal looking like top 5 NBA Draft pick
His twitter handle is @RealDealBeal23, and Florida Gators one and done Brad Beal is one of the most complete players in the 2012 NBA draft class. This is where we have him slotted in our latest mock draft.
Beal arrived in Gainesville with an already lengthy and impressive resume. He was named the 2011 Gatorade Player of the Year, Missouri Gatorade Player of the Year back-to-back years, and recently played in the Jordan Brand Classic.
(This is a Paul M. Banks/David Kay collaboration.)
Follow paulmbanksBaylor’s Perry Jones leaving for NBA Draft, opens door for Isaiah Austin
Length, size, athleticism, and versatility. Those attributes have been staples of Baylor‘s frontcourt for the past few seasons. Even though the Bears lose Perry Jones who declared for the NBA Draft on Monday, that tradition of size inside will continue with McDonald’s All-American Isaiah Austin arriving in Waco next season.
Follow paulmbanksFuture Kentucky Wildcats Goodwin, Poythress dominate McDonald’s All-American game
Kentucky Wildcats fans have a lot to be excited about in the present, as they’re taking on their hated rival Louisville in the 2012 Final Four, but last night’s McDonald’s All-American Game also might have made UK fans think about the future for a bit.
Usually, you don’t think about next year’s recruiting class until the season is over. However, the way incoming UK freshmen Archie Goodwin and Alex Poythress performed in the exhibition brought thoughts of next year here already.
And perhaps it helped in the recruiting of Muhammad Shabazz? Who’s narrowed his college choices down to four.
Follow paulmbanksMuhammad Leads West To McDonald’s All-American Game Win
McDonald’s All-American Game Nominees Announced
Today, McDonald’s announced the list of high school seniors nominated for the 2012 McDonald’s All American Games, taking place on March 28th for the second consecutive year at Chicago’s United Center, home of the Chicago Bulls. The 24 boys and 24 girls to participate in the 2012 Games will be revealed during the McDonald’s All American Games Selection Show, airing February 9 at 4 p.m. CT on ESPNU.
Six-hundred players from across the country were nominated for the 2012 McDonald’s All American Games, with Iowa maintaining the highest number of nominees (77), followed by Texas (69), Washington (36), Tennessee (32) and Georgia (31). Players were nominated by high school coaches, athletic directors, principals and members of the McDonald’s All American Games Selection Committee.
Follow paulmbanksAmir Williams and Shannon Scott Will Give Ohio State Great Depth Next Season
Thad Matta is quietly doing a fantastic job of keeping Ohio State a perennial power not just in the Big Ten, but in all of college basketball. Adding McDonald’s All-American‘s Shannon Scott and Amir Williams to the fold next season will only add to the Buckeye’s core and once again make them one of the top teams in the country.
(This is a Paul M. Banks/David Kay collaboration.)
Follow paulmbanksDuke Recruit Quinn Cook Has Huge Shoes to Fill
With Nolan Smith graduating and Kyrie Irving likely the top pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, Duke has a huge hole fill at the point next season. Enter McDonald’s All-American Quinn Cook who is one of the top point guard recruits in the country.
(This is a Paul M. Banks/David Kay collaboration)
Follow paulmbanksAdonis Thomas Adds to Hometown Talent at Memphis
Entering just his third season as the head coach of the Memphis Tigers, Josh Pastner has locked down recruiting in his backyard. That continues next year when McDonald’s All-American Adonis Thomas will join an already young, but extremely talented Tiger team that returns all but one key contributor from a year ago.
(This is a Paul M. Banks/David Kay collaboration)
Follow paulmbanksIndiana Hoosiers Rebuilding Efforts Hinge on Cody Zeller
The fate of Indiana Hoosier basketball rests in the hands of McDonald’s All-American Cody Zeller. Okay, not really… but if you listen to what others are saying, that’s the hype surrounding the 2011 recruit who chose to stay home and help Tom Crean with his re-building of the Hoosiers’ program.
And given the way things have gone for Indiana since 2007, their fans need something positive to latch onto.
(This is a Paul M. Banks and David Kay collaboration.)
[Read more…]