Top-Three Wednesday's: 10/21/2020
Top-three Wednesdays are back.
We will take a look at the three of the biggest headlines surrounding recruiting for this week.
We start with the first one.
Skyy Clark’s upcoming decision
Look, Clark never gave any type of hints or anything to my knowledge that could give us thoughts on a clear-cut favorite. He’s definitely said terrific things about all of his finalists but not once has he thrown a hint of where he could land. Look, both blue-bloods in UNC and Kentucky feel as if there’s momentum towards him choosing between them.
Then comes in Memphis, they didn’t stop recruiting Clark at one point and never gave up when in pursuit. UCLA, they’re his lone West Coast option, remember, Clark began his playing career on the West Coast up until this year he transitioned to Tennessee.
At the end of the day, I think Clark is one of the most polished and skilled guards in the entire nation. He’s on track to qualify to reclassify into the 2021 class and I wouldn’t disagree with such a move. We saw it all pandemic on the film and we saw it last year, Clark continues to get better and I think whichever program lands him is getting a program-changing player.
The Bryce McGowens sweepstakes
Bryce McGowens has taken the next step in his second recruiting process and is now down to five schools. The list includes Nebraska, LSU, Michigan, Georgia, and his previously pledged school, Florida State.
Let’s start with the Seminoles. McGowens commits one year ago after an official visit. Next year, decides to reopen but is on excellent terms with Leonard Hamilton and his staff. They have remained loyal and are still in hot pursuit.
Nebraska, they’ve got his brother in future pro, Trey McGowens. They are in major pursuit and the staff completed a zoom call on Tuesday afternoon, his second during this process. Matching Bryce with his older brother could benefit both sides.
Georgia and LSU, both feel like they’ve got some sort of chance. Tom Crean has built a relationship with Bryce over the past few years and that includes visits last year of the unofficial capacity.
Michigan, they scheduled a zoom call with McGowens one night prior to him releasing his five finalists. You know that Juwan Howard has been looking for that final piece to his 2021 class and believes McGowens could be that. He doesn’t have any sort of timeline for his commitment just yet, but, I bet something is figured out over the next few weeks with the early signing period approaching.
I’d watch out for Nebraska and Florida State.
Bryce Hopkins aiming to announce this week
The Top-40 prospect told Stockrisers.com last week that he wanted to decide this week.
He was working on the filming of his video but still remains in contact with coaches.
Last week, he completed a virtual meeting with Illinois’ Brad Underwood. The Illini are in a good position with Hopkins along with Kentucky. I’ve mentioned on several occasions that the Providence Friars should also be in contention and would be my dark horse pick. It may seem tough to edge out the other candidates but you can’t count out Ed Cooley here.