re: UA Basketball Recruiting

quote:

---

One of the best long-term power forwards in the 2021 class, Daimion Collins has entered into a national recruitment. On Friday, the top-20 junior decided to take the first major step towards his college commitment by narrowing his list to a final ten.

A versatile big man that boasts tremendous length and is one of the more light-of-foot frontcourt prospects in his class, Collins is a priority for the very best within his region. However, the Atlanta High (Texas) standout has trimmed his school list that consists of Alabama, Arkansas, Baylor, Houston, Kansas, LSU, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas and Texas Tech.

A 6-foot-9 power forward that can play either big man spot in the frontcourt, Collins sits as the 20th best prospect in his class. Running with the Team Griffin travel program throughout his upbringing, Collins is the fifth best power forward in America that is a must-get for practically all of his finalists.

Collins is a graceful athlete that is tremendous at running the floor and exchanging ends of the court. One of the most versatile defenders in his class, Collins is a premier shot blocker that has great touch and hands around the basket. Strength gain is a must but the limitless possibilities of what he can become and the continued progressions that he has made correlate with that of an elite recruit out of the 2021 class.

Focused on a final ten, Collins has yet to take an official visit but is hoping to change that this fall as long as on-campus recruiting is allowed. Up until now, LSU, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, and Texas have been the most discussed landing spots for him.

---

quote:

---

The next step for Alex Tchikou is a college decision, but it is unfortunate that he will likely make a decision before getting to first visit the program in person.

Eric Bossi broke the news on Monday that Tchikou would be reclassifying into the 2020 class. For Tchikou, though, since on-campus recruiting has been suspended until Aug. 31, he will have to rely on Zoom calls, virtual visits and pre-existing relationships to make the best college decision.

Late Monday evening, Tchkou released his finalists that consists of Alabama, Arizona, Florida State, Illinois, Oregon, Saint Mary's, St. John's, and USC. The Seminoles hold my FutureCast selection for Tchikou, but I am not super confident in that prediction. If he stays on the West Coast, Oregon and USC are the two that must be watched. Illinois could make a run at things as well.

---

quote:

---

The 2021 class is not a great one but, fortunately for Georgia Tech, Atlanta is oozing with talent. Thanks to the work that Josh Pastner and his staff invested early on, the Yellow Jackets are now sitting in a great spot with a number of talented prospects.

Alex Fudge and Deebo Coleman, two top-50 talents from the Jacksonville area have, already visited the campus and the Yellow Jackets, despite the vast number of high-majors involved, might be able to land at least one of the two.

Jabari Smith, the top prospect from the city, has grown to favor Pastner’s bunch in recent months but Auburn, LSU and Tennessee will be tough to beat. However, Georgia Tech has also found traction with Jusaun Holt, Kaleb Washington, Robbie Armbrester, Kaleb Washington, James White and Ryan Mutombo. The Jackets will need to replace four graduating seniors that should all leave a solid imprint on the program this season, so a solid, well-rounded class is a must.

---

quote:

---

Leonard Hamilton has routinely made his Florida State outfit one of the best in the ACC, but his roster for the upcoming season could be the best that he has ever assembled if all breaks right this month. Sure, the early exits of Devin Vassell and Patrick Williams hurt, as does the graduation of longtime stalwart guard Trent Forrest, but the Seminoles have oodles of talent heading into the program. That talent level could be improved greatly, depending upon what Alex Tchikou and Moussa Cisse ultimately decide to do.

Cisse has only visited one program and that is Florida State, but even with the slight advantage, landing the elite rim protector over LSU or Memphis will not be easy. The same can be said for Tchikou, whom the staff has compared to former FSU standout Jon Isaac. If they can somehow land another post option that can impact the program right away, national title talk about Florida State would be much more deserved.

---

quote:

---

2021 five-star Charles Bediako is down to ten schools.

---

quote:

---

Thank you to all the coaches that have recruited me, but these will be the top ten I’ll be focusing on.

---

quote:

---

One of the top post prospects in the 2021 class, Charles Bediako has decided to make the first major step towards his college decision. The four-star center has cut his list to a final ten, though a commitment date as far from near.

Emerging this winter as a premier shot blocker and post scorer, Bediako saw his recruitment explode prior to the quarantine and during the first few weeks of it. After hearing overtures from some of the nation’s best, Bediako has narrowed his list to Alabama, Baylor, Duke, Maryland, Michigan, Memphis, Ohio State, Tennessee, Texas and USC.

A 6-foot-10 center from Canada, Bediako recently announced his transfer into IMG Academy and will play on the prep team this winter. Sitting as the 22nd best prospect in America, Bediako is also one of the few legitimate elite post prospects in his class which he is ranked as its third best center.

Bediako is respected for his size, length and impact around the basket. While he has slowly begun to develop a face-up game towards the perimeter, he is at his best in the paint. He is one of the sport’s best shot blockers that gobbles up loose balls off the glass thanks to his tremendous hands, has good touch over his left shoulder in the post and runs the floor well from endline to endline.

He has yet to take an official visit which he is hoping to change in the fall as long as on-campus recruitment is permissible. Alabama and Duke have often been discussed as potential landing spots for the top-25 talent, though there is still some time to go before a commitment is made.

---

quote:

---

Bediako, the 6-foot-11, 215-pound big from IMG Academy (FL), named Memphis, Alabama, Texas, Baylor, Maryland, Duke, Tennessee, Michigan, Ohio State and USC as his top ten schools on Friday, via Twitter.

Last month, Bediako announced that he will leave Andrews Osborne Academy (OH) and transfer to IMG Academy for his senior year.

According to 247Sports.com, Bediako is ranked as the No. 3 center and No. 20 overall player in the Class of 2021.

---

quote:

---

JD Davison is here suiting up with the Atlanta Celtics this weekend. Putting Davison alongside Jabari Smith and Matthew Cleveland gives the Celtics 3 Top 25 players nationally in 2021. Scary sight.

---