Jake's Take: Vol.1
Hey everyone, this is the first edition of Jake’s Take. It will be a post every Sunday where I give my take on some of the biggest headlines in recruiting. While you’re here, make sure to subscribe and try out the premium edition of the site.
Enjoy Jake’s Take: Vol.1
Chet Holmgren: Where’s his recruitment at?
Many people have regularly asked me what is the latest with arguably the nation’s top-rated player, Chet Holmgren. He’s currently down to seven finalists, which include: Memphis, UNC, Michigan, Ohio State, Gonzaga, Minnesota, and Georgetown.
I think this is another recruitment where we have to remain patient. This is one I think we will have to wait a decent amount of time because like Jon Kuminga and Jalen Green, former top-ranked players, their decisions have dragged into the spring. Holmgren told Stockrisers.com that with so many commitments, transfers, etc, he will wait till the spring of next year to make his decision.
Holmgren is currently seen as a favorite to land with Gonzaga or Minnesota. I said back in December that I think Gonzaga and Mark Few could be able to pull this one-off. They have recent success with players of Holmgren’s position and in general, but, his high school and AAU teammate Jalen Suggs is enrolled in Spokane as well.
Kennedy Chandler and Paolo Banchero team-up?
One duo that basketball fans want to see is the duo of five-star juniors Paolo Banchero and Kennedy Chandler. Banchero broke the news to me last winter saying that he and Chandler had discussions about the possibility of them teaming up in college. Both have played on the same floor at several camps and are down for a possible team-up.
The school people are saying they could see the two at together: Tennessee. Although they have several common finalists, people believe since they visited UT together, Rick Barnes might be able to jump on this and possibly land one of the highest-ranked duos in program history, which this year’s trio, isn’t far off on.
As far as where they’re both currently in their recruitments, both don’t know where they want to go yet. Banchero said he has no clue and isn’t prepared to make his choice just yet. Then, for Chandler, he said he doesn’t even have a set timetable by now.
Jalen Warley: G-League an option?
If you didn’t read my story on Jalen Warley, I suggest you click here and take a look. He mentioned the G-League reaching out to his camp and them being a possible option in his recruitment. But, he affirms that it isn’t serious right now but due to the pandemic he will be ‘open to all options’ which includes the G-League option.
As far as schools go, he has a final list of Michigan, Miami, Louisville, Virginia, Memphis, Florida State, Oregon, Maryland, LSU, and Ohio State.
He most recently completed a virtual visit with Virginia's Tony Bennett and also the staff of FSU, Memphis, and some of his other finalists. If you look at the contenders, some have gotten commitments in the past few weeks and could have some locks for the future. With that, I don’t believe each team’s chances are that equal in his decision, another list cut wouldn’t surprise me.
The scoop on Harrison Ingram
Duke and Kentucky have begun to reach out and pick up interest in Ingram which is pretty interesting due to the fact that he already had dropped his final list and neither program made the cut. But, for this, Ingram will hear out all options as of right now and reaffirms that despite many rumors ‘everything is speculation right now’ and he isn’t close to a decision.
Recently, Ingram landed an offer from Howard. He was honored by the opportunity to play at an HBCU saying ‘they are now being heavily considered’ – which is very significant because this could be a move that he would make. His mother and father both attended HBCUs and he said the chance to be a legacy recruit is something he would 100% consider.
Also, Harvard offered and could be seen as another option in his recruitment. I think Ingram could nab at least an offer from Duke soon, if they do I think they could jump ahead of many teams involved. As of now if I had to choose one school I think my underdog would be Stanford, they’ve prioritized him for quite some time. I think UNC and Tennessee are sleepers also.