Who’s Got Next? Charles Matthews Goes With Kentucky and Rhode Island Nabs Their Point Guard

Posted by Sean Moran on March 3rd, 2014

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Who’s Got Next? is a weekly column by Sean Moran, the RTC recruiting guru. Once a week he will bring you an overview of what’s going on in the complex world of recruiting, from who is signing where among the seniors to discussing the recruitment of the top uncommitted players in the country. We also encourage you to check out his contributions at The Intentional Foul dedicated to recruiting coverage and analysis. You can also follow Sean at his Twitter account @Seanmohoops for up-to-date news from the high school and college hoops scene. If you have any suggestions as to areas we are missing or different things you would like to see, please let us know at rushthecourt@yahoo.com.

Note: Scout.com used for all player rankings.

Kentucky Lands First 2015 Recruit

The 2014 recruiting class marked the first time that John Calipari did not come away with the No. 1 recruiting class in the country during his tenure at Kentucky. While he still ended up with the No. 2 class, Kentucky has their sights squarely set on landing the No. 1 class in 2015. They got their first commitment this past week when five-star shooting guard Charles Matthews announced his intentions to play for the Wildcats. The 6’5 guard is currently the No. 15 player and No. 4 shooting guard in the junior class and is the next Chicago native to make the journey down to Lexington.

The 6’5” guard missed the first month of his junior season at St. Rita’s (IL) High due to an ankle injury, but is now back to full strength. Matthews proved his status as a five-star player over the summer on the Nike AAU circuit. Playing against older competition Matthews always had a large contingent of colleges watching him including Duke, Illinois, Kansas, and Michigan State. He averaged almost 13 points a game while playing for the Meanstreets AAU program and scored from all areas of the court but was especially effective from mid-range. With long arms and good height for his position, Matthews can also elevate with the best of them making his jump shot unblockable. While he proved his elite status on the summer circuit, he also developed a strong chemistry with his squad’s point guard. That point guard just happens to be four-star point guard Tyler Ulis (#29 overall, No. 6 PG) who committed to the Wildcats in the fall.

Kentucky was looking long and hard at guards in the 2015 class including Malik Newman (#2 overall) and Luke Kennard (No. 14). Matthews was first to pull the trigger and becomes just the fourth five-star player in his class to make a commitment. When he arrives in Lexington he will join a young and talented team that will feature Ulis along with 6’5″ four-star shooting guard Devin Booker (#29 overall). Unlike most Kentucky recruits, Ulis and Booker are not expected to be one-and-done candidates. Booker is the better outside shooter of the two, but Matthews will provide another tall guard with a strong scoring ability.

Garrett Goes With The Rams

Danny Hurley is trying to get Rhode Island back on the map as a basketball school. In his second season, the Rams sit in the bottom part of the A-10, but if his recruiting is any indicator that won’t last for long. On Tuesday, 5’10” point guard Jarvis Garrett chose the Rams over his hometown school of Marquette. Currently playing for Notre Dame (MA) Prep, the three-star point guard was considered one of the best uncommitted prospects in the 2014 class. With good speed, Garrett is a strong scorer but also excels at getting his teammates easy shots in the half court. Last year it was four-star and Top 100 recruit E.C. Matthews who shocked the basketball community with his decision to go to Rhode Island, but now the highly touted prospect from Michigan is currently the second leading scorer on the Rams as a freshman. Right now Garrett is the only player committed to the Rams, but when paired with Matthews in the backcourt the future looks bright for Rhode Island.

Sean Moran (79 Posts)


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