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.
Michigan State Lands Texas Sharpshooter
Michigan State missed out on in-state shooting guard Eric Davis when he announced his commitment to Texas on September 16. Nine days later Tom Izzo landed 6’5” senior shooting guard Matt McQuaid from Duncanville, Texas, a player who is currently rated No. 72 overall and the No. 23 shooting guard. As a junior, McQuaid committed to SMU before de-committing during the summer to re-open his recruitment. After setting the summer circuit on fire with his hot outside shooting, McQuaid quickly received interest from schools such as Michigan State, Indiana, and Creighton.
During the past two AAU seasons, McQuaid built a reputation as a stellar outside shooter. In 2013 he averaged 11.4 points on the Nike EYBL circuit, hitting 58-of-132 threes (43.9%), and this year he increased his scoring average to 15.6 points per game while hitting 45.1 percent of his outside shots. The soon-to be Spartan has range beyond the college three-point line to go along with a high release on his outside shot. While not known for a quick first step, McQuaid is working to improve his ability to attack the basket or find space for his pull-up jumper. Along with improving his quickness, McQuaid will also need to spend some time in the weight room over the next couple of years. Increased strength will certainly be beneficial for him on both sides of the ball to ensure that he does not become a defensive liability in Big Ten action.
The McQuaid commitment gives Izzo his third four-star recruit in the Class of 2015 to go along with power forward Deyonta Davis and small forward Kyle Ahrens. In addition to those three committed seniors, they will also get the services of 6’3” West Virginia transfer Eron Harris, who averaged 17.2 points per game as a sophomore. Izzo certainly struck out with last year’s Class of 2014, but so far he has rebounded nicely with the No. 11 ranked class in the country.
A Weekend Look Back
6’1” Georgia point guard Ty Hudson committed to Clemson on Saturday during his official visit. Hudson is a four-star recruit ranked inside the Top 100 and gives the Tigers their point guard of the future. Previously, the Clemson coaching staff had been all-in on in-state point guard Jawun Evans before he moved to Texas and rapidly ascended up the rankings. Hudson is a point guard who is both strong and quick — on the Nike EYBL AAU circuit over the summer he averaged 17.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game. The Tigers will lose point guard Rod Hall after the upcoming 2014-15 season and will be looking for a floor general to lead them through ACC play.
What’s Next?
Six-foot point guard Jawun Evans took his official visit to Oklahoma State over the weekend and is set to announce his college decision on Wednesday this week. The Cowboys are the presumed leader for his services, although Illinois is still in the running despite its plethora of guards on the roster. Evans is currently ranked as the No. 3 point guard in the country and relies on his speed and quickness to blow by defenders for scoring opportunities in the paint. After spending his first two high school years in South Carolina, Evans landed at Kimball High in Dallas for last year and his upcoming senior season.