re: NEW 2018 Basketball Recruiting Thread

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Please forward your confirmation Royal

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Does this mean you are sticking by what you said and that Matthews was definitely on campus this weekend? When was he here, cause as many have said, he was definitely playing in Indy on Saturday. Not to say he couldn’t have flown straight here when done and visited on Sunday. Again, I would love for it to be true, just odd that even Billy is saying he was definitely not here if the opposite is true.

I am sticking by what I initially stated that he and White visited LSU this weekend.

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Personally I think he suits up for LSU next year. He’s just not ready for the NBA.

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Word from in the building I hear is Waters wants to attend the draft combine, because it's the single best opportunity to match one's game up against top competition he'd get all offseason long.

And that's really all this is.

The thing is they only take 80 or so players at the combine, and there are over 200 early draft entries alone, not counting the seniors. So there's no guarantee Waters gets an invite.

But you definitely don't get an invite if you don't declare, so that's why he's doing this. Nobody over there doubts that he'll be back for his sophomore year.

But you can only do this once, the next time you have to stay in. That’s why this was odd to me

Emmitt Mathews Jr visited LSU last week now heading to West Virginia for a visit with Huggy Bear.

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but man that must be a crazy process to select only 80 out of hundreds of qualified guys.

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Seems pretty simple. It’s the NBA draft combine. They don’t care about the guys headed to Europe. There are only two rounds and they can narrow down the list relatively easy.

The guys who head to Europe are the ones who don’t make it in the NBA. But 95% (at least) of those 200 players would prefer being in the NBA over being in Europe. That’s the challenge, finding those best 80 prospects. Certainly not simple

Put this n the thread about the FSU 7 footer transfer. Its our current 2019 top of the board and where just my best guess we stand with certain guys. Think it could shed some light with the 2019 class and its athletic wing heavy list and how it will affect the last remaining spot for 2018. (Think we get White )

Looking really good- not going to say locks but I think two of if not all three commit after the summer.

Tyreek Smith PF 6'8 #137 (cedar Hill, TX)
2017 Circuit Highlights
Originally from Baton Rouge, Benford is the lead, as well as Taz. Reminds me of Tyrus Thomas a lot, will remind some of Emmitt Williams but he is not near as strong and does not yet have an outside shot to speak of. Noth look to tear the rim down though

Jalen Wilson SG 6'6 #29 (Denton, TX)
Highlights
Actually went to Coach Benfords UNT camps as a kid, starter from day one, has great vision and handles for a guy his size. Decent shooter just needs to work on his off hand mechanics.

Diante Smith SG 6'6 NR (Choctaw, FL)
HS Highlights
I really think by us getting in as early as we did it will pay off, needs work but has decent athleticism and has versatility. Needs serious work on his jumper and played JV like competition in his district. Like others have said on here, if we can get the one and done to give us the talent edge to push but have a pipeline of 3-4 year building block guys, I think that is what Smith could be if we land Watford.



Will Have to work until the very end to get these commitments, but we do have some ins which is always special. In really good position other than Payne, meaning we will be factor until the end for Hyatt and Watford.

Aundre Hyatt 6'7 Combo Forward #120 (Charlottesville, VA) - Wade connections from VCU days

Omar Payne 6'9 True Post #48 (Orlando area, FL)- Heiar connections as his HS coach I believe's brother either coached against Coach Heiar or with him in the FL JUCO ranks.

Trendon Watford 6'9 SG #9 (Birmingham, AL) - Would be the biggest coup of the CWW era this is what Armstrong was brought in for when they said he was focusing on the 2019 class. If we could pry him from Bama it would be huge, my favorite player in the entire 2019 class. NBA, one and done no question, amazing body control and does everything well. But what will set him apart which I think will draw him to Wade he is the hardest worker whenever he plays, rarely is that said for every Top-15 talent hs recruit.
EYBL

Obvously a long way to go, but it is incredible to me already how the staff has planned this class. Bright future for the Tigers, why T-bird I am okay taking a transfer and sit big. Couple of names to watch like Naz Reid teammate, and I could see them going after a true center from the TX or FL JUCO ranks, Sebit Reath, Duop's little brother will be a 6'10 sophomore at Lee this year. Also dont be suprised to see Jordan Wright from Dunham get a serious look.

As major college basketball begins to become more and more position-less it will become the norm. He will play wherever he goes 1-4, Jayson Tatum would be a nice comparison and he is 6'8, Watford is that special.

Believe there are a couple full length games but, just in watching the highlights what immediately jumps out is the guy is just a down to earth hardworker. No talking just makes everything look effortless. Watch his highlights!

Why we have a fighting chance, more than that, Bill Armstrong has focused pretty much only on 2019 recruiting and has known him for years. Bill Armstrong's dad coached in the Birmingham area for I think over 3 decades and Watford's HS coach considers him a close coaching friend. Alabama is still the leader but he has unofficially been to LSU atleast 2 times.