re: 2014 Auburn Basketball Recruiting Thread

2016 recruit but it shows how big Pearl's name still is to high school kids.


From The Tennessean:

Bruce Pearl increases Blackwell's interest in Auburn
Chip Cirillo, Nashville

Braxton Blackwell's offer from Auburn became more appealing once Bruce Pearl was named coach last week.

Blackwell, a Christ Presbyterian Academy forward who was named the Class AA Mr. Basketball, has 15 offers.

"Coach Pearl – he's a great coach," Blackwell said. "At Tennessee, I can't remember, he had them at No. 1 in the country. I haven't really talked with him yet, but hopefully soon I can talk to him. For him to go to Auburn, that's attracting a lot of players."

Pearl can't recruit or evaluate until Aug. 24 due to an NCAA show-cause penalty from when he coached at Tennessee.

Pearl told al.com he can't talk to high school coaches about recruiting or meet with prospects on campus visits.

Despite the early recruiting restrictions, Blackwell believes Pearl's presence elevates Auburn's stock.

"A great coach like him, he's a been-there, done-that kind of guy so it's kind of cool to see a coach like that and see if he can change that program," said Blackwell, a 6-foot-8 sophomore who averaged 19.6 points this season.

Prospects can't talk to Pearl until they enroll. Signees have the option of enrolling May 16.