Top Juniors Hosting a Parade of College Recruiters
The Class of 2020 features Division I prospects deep into the rankings. In fact, up to 40 juniors have realistic LM-HM ambitions. As college recruiters search for their 2019 signees little time is currently invested on 2020’s.
There are always exceptions and the top three players in 2020 are each exceptional in their own way.
#1 Keon Johnson
Unlike most of his classmates, Keon chopped his list earlier this fall. Teams still heavily involved include: Virginia, Tennessee, Auburn, Ole Miss, Vanderbilt.
The best junior in Tennessee is taking an unofficial to #OleMiss tomorrow. @iamkeonjohnson is an enormous priority for Ole Miss HC Kermit Davis and staff.
— Prep Hoops Tennessee (@PrepHoopsTN) September 14, 2018
In the last two weeks Keon was evaluated by several high major head coaches. Virginia’s Tony Bennett dropped by. Tennessee sent Head Coach Rick Barnes, while Auburn’s slickster Bruce Pearl spent time in the building.
Though it is hard to have too many scoring wings Auburn expects to sign Isaac Okoro in two months. Both Keon and Isaac play the same position. Again dueling scoring wings easily cohabitate in the backcourt.
During the last three days no college coaches watched Keon train with the Webb Bell Buckle squad.
#2 Matthew Murrell
North Carolina State, an ACC team, offered Matthew earlier this week. Arkansas offered to open September.
Murrell really benefited from playing up in July. Team Thad 17u picked up Murrell after Bluff City Legends’ 16u ended their season. Illinois, Tennessee, and Texas A&M extended late July or early August offers.
#3 Bayron Matos
Mississippi State Head Coach Ben Howland swung by Chattanooga to evaluate Bayron Matos this week. Mississippi State offered to open September.
Illinois sent Assistant Coach Orlando Antigua (pictured below). Cal State-Northridge spotted Matos during a great PANGOS Camp. They offered too. Mississippi State and Illinois are the latest through the door, but do not count out Florida. UF was one of the first to offer Bayron and they put some time into Matthew Murrell.
thanks coach for the visit @CoachOantigua @HHhawksbball @PrepHoopsTN @juliansuero @VerbalCommits @trigonis30 @FDMAthletics @EAB_Tennessee @EveryDayCam @ pic.twitter.com/Glk04ZaaVh
— Bayron matos (@Big_Matos07) September 19, 2018
Hamilton Heights Christian Academy senior big man Sammy Itodo recently verbally committed to Gardner-Webb. Alongside Itodo, Bayron provides a daunting frontline for HHCA Head Coach Zach Ferrell. Considering the college value of the two bigs college coaches will be in Chattanooga and yet the HHCA program boasts many more college prospects.
The three best players in 2020 each look like college starters. The athleticism is wonderful for all three players and the Southeastern Conference (SEC) is in play for all three. Can Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Florida, or Auburn convince a star to sign by the fall of 2019?