Who’s Got Next? Cal’s Big Recruiting Weekend & Jayson Tatum’s First Visit
Posted by Sean Moran on March 4th, 2015
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.
Big Recruiting Weekend in Berkeley Already Paying Dividends
Three-star small forward Davon Dillard committed to California Sunday afternoon after watching the Golden Bears take down Oregon State on Senior Night. It was billed as the biggest recruiting weekend in three years in Berkeley and definitely the biggest weekend in Cuonzo Martin’s short tenure. Lacking a recruit in the class of 2015, California played host to its top target in Ivan Rabb, a 6’10” five-star recruit from the Bay Area, five-star power forward Caleb Swanigan, and the three-star Dillard. While Cal didn’t get the coveted commitment from Rabb, Dillard’s commitment keeps the positive momentum moving. In Martin’s first season, a NIT berth most likely awaits for the Golden Bears (17-12 overall; 7-9 in Pac-12 play). They will graduate their third-leading scorer in David Kravish and there is a good possibility that 6’5” junior Tyrone Wallace could leave school early for the NBA Draft. With Dillard locked up, though, the Bears will get a tough-minded and athletic forward who can finish above the rim and is also a threat from outside the arc. With one good commitment now in the fold, Martin can focus on landing a big man to replace Kravish. Rabb has been Martin’s top target from the moment he took the job in Berkeley and he will look to convince the Bishop O’ Dowd star to stay at home and help get his local school get back to the NCAA Tournament. Along with Cal, Rabb is also considering Arizona, UCLA, Kentucky and Kansas. While Rabb is in the mix for the Bears, it might be harder to sign Swanigan, who has visited schools all over the country including Arizona, Kentucky, Duke, Notre Dame and Purdue. In an extremely important weekend for the future of the program, California put together an impressive showing on the court and then locked up an athletic wing with Martin’s first recruit at the school.
Top Junior Takes First Official Visit
Junior Jayson Tatum took his first official visit to Duke over the weekend and watched the Blue Devils coast to an easy victory over Syracuse on Saturday night. Tatum is currently ranked No. 3 in the junior class and has schools from all over the country swooning over the St. Louis native. A veteran of the USA Basketball circuit and a gold medal winner in the U-17 age bracket, Tatum is a unique player for his young age. Arguably the most skilled player in high school, Tatum can take defenders off the dribble, post up and shoot the three. In a break from his high school play at Chaminade (MO) High School, Tatum flew to Durham for his first official visit. Why is this significant? Last year, Duke convinced two five-star juniors in power forward Chase Jeter and shooting guard Luke Kennard to take their first official visits to Duke. Both ended up signing with the Blue Devils after Mike Krzyzewski’s program became the primary leaders in both players’ recruitments. While Tatum has interest from national powers in Kentucky and Kansas to go along with local interest from St. Louis, Illinois, and Missouri, it is Duke who has landed the first punch. Another key piece of information when it comes to Tatum’s recruitment revolves around his close friendship with the top-ranked junior Harry Giles. Both youngsters have played together on the USA national teams and are usually inseparable off the court. The Blue Devils have prioritized the one-and-done recruits as of late and they are now making their run at the versatile Tatum.
