Spring signing day takes place Wednesday and several of the nation’s top prospects have withheld making a decision until the spring. The SEC, notably Kentucky, looks to add some of these blue-chippers. Here now are six of those top-level prospects and the SEC schools pursuing their talents.
Nerlens Noel – 6-10, C, Tilton, N.H. (No. 2 Rivals.com/No.1 Scout.com/No. 1 ESPN.com) – Noel was added to the 2012 class in early February setting off a mad recruiting scramble for this coveted big man. His list is rumored to be down to Syracuse, Georgetown, and Kentucky. All three boast great traditions of shot-blocking big men, but Kentucky certainly featured to most recent with Anthony Davis. When ESPN calls him “An absolutely incredible shot blocker with uncanny defensive instincts” it is not hard to imagine Calipari envisioning a Davis 2.0.
Shabazz Muhammad – 6-6, SG/SF, Las Vegas, Nev. (No.1 Rivals.com/No. 2 Scout.com/No. 2 ESPN.com) – Kentucky appears locked in a tight three-way battle with fellow blue-bloods Duke and UCLA for the left-handed scorer. Reports had him committing to UCLA last week, but nothing official came from the mouth of Muhammad. Like Noel, he make his announcement on Wednesday on television.
Where Will Shabazz End Up Going?
Anthony Bennett – 6-8, PF, Henderson, Nev. (No. 7 Rivals.com/No. 7 Scout.com/No. 7 ESPN.com) – Both Kentucky and Florida are in the power forward who is not likely to commit on Wednesday and could possibly delay his decision until May. He said in article earlier this week that “Yeah, it is tough (making a decision). That’s why I haven’t made my decision yet, but hopefully after I take all my visits it won’t be so hard.” In addition to the Gators and Wildcats, he has Oregon, Washington, and UNLV on his final list.
DeVonta Pollard – 6-7, SF, Porterville, Miss. (No. 9 Rivals.com/No. 25 Scout.com/No. 28 ESPN.com) – A pair of SEC schools, Alabama and new member Missouri remain in the mix for the versatile play maker who “compares his game to LeBron James and Kevin Durant.” Alabama, who recently dismissed Tony Mitchell and Charles Hankerson Jr. has had it written that Pollard is the Crimson Tide’s No. 1 target. Rivals suggests he might not make his decision until next week.
Tony Parker – 6-9, C, Lithonia, Ga. (No. 33 Rivals.com/No. 20 Scout.com/No. 26 ESPN.com) – Georgia remains in the mix to land the home-state talent, but Parker’s high school coach, Sharman White, told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, “What I’m getting from his family is that there’s a good chance it won’t be Wednesday. I don’t think he’s just quite ready. He’s trying to figure out the last intricate parts of this decision … so he can make the best choice.” The same article said he will make another unofficial visit to Georgia before signing.
Amile Jefferson – 6-9, PF, Philadelphia (No., 36 Rivals.com/No. 22 Scout.com/No. 25 ESPN.com) – Kentucky joins NC State, Duke, and Villanova as finalists for the Philadelphia native. He took his visit to Lexington by himself and has wavered between staying close to home or leaving the comforts of Philadelphia. Jefferson appears to be up in the air based on a recent statement he made that “One day it’s one, one day it’s the other.”