Adam Zagoria covers basketball at all levels. He is the author of two books and an award-winning journalist whose articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Sports Illustrated, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide.
NEW YORK — Package deals in college basketball seem all the rage these days.
The latest high-profile pair to talk about it are Stanley Johnson and Justise Winslow, who told SNY.tv at the Elite 24 game they are actively talking about attending the same college.
“A lot, a lot,” Johnson said after winning co-MVP honors as Team Bed Stuy lost to Team Coney Island, 114-109, Saturday night in Brooklyn.
“We got a couple of similar schools on our lists and I think together we can do something real special in college. Me and him think similiarly so me and him are really talking about it, trying to get a decision done.
“It’s all about how the college feels about it. We want to do it, we’re committed to each other. As long as the college is OK with it and they’re seeing it the way we’re seeing it, then we can make it happen. But if it doesn’t happen that way, then we’re not going to do it.”
Johnson said Kentucky, Arizona and Florida were three schools the duo — who both play small forward — were considering.
“The schools that’s similar are Kentucky, Arizona, Florida, so far,” Johnson said.
“Then if that doesn’t happen then I still have USC, UCLA and Oregon, that kind of stuff.”
Winslow is currently considering eight schools — Duke, Florida, Kentucky, Kansas, Texas A&M, Arizona, UCLA and Stanford — and said he soon plans to cut to five.
“I think USC’s trying to get involved with him, too,” Johnson said. “So we’re going to start talking to USC together a little bit, so it’s going to be fun.”
Said the 6-6 Winslow of USC: “They might, they’ve been trying to reach out to me, but I don’t know what I’m going to do.”
Winslow told SNY.tv he and Johnson were “pretty serious” about the package but also mentioned Kansas as an option for both.
So far, the Tyus Jones/Jahlil Okafor package has been the most hyped — and likely to occur — among 2014 recruits but a potential Johnson/Winslow package could make some lucky college team an instant contender for a Final Four.
“The best one-two punch in the country,” Johnson said when asked how good they would be.
How likely is it?
That remains to be seen.
“I’m trying to do what’s best for my family, he’s trying to do what’s best for his,” Winslow said, “and if we play together, that would be cool.”
Photo: Kelly Kline/ Under Armour
Adam Zagoria is a Basketball Insider who covers basketball at all levels. A contributor to The New York Times and SportsNet New York (SNY), he is also the author of two books and is an award-winning journalist and filmmaker. His articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide. He also won an Emmy award for his work on the SNY mini-documentary on Syracuse guard Tyus Battle.
A veteran Ultimate Frisbee player, he has competed in numerous National and World Championships and, perhaps more importantly, his teams won the Westchester Summer League (WSL) championships in 2011 and 2013.
He lives in Manhattan with his wife and children.
NEW YORK — Package deals in college basketball seem all the rage these days.
The latest high-profile pair to talk about it are Stanley Johnson and Justise Winslow, who told SNY.tv at the Elite 24 game they are actively talking about attending the same college.
“A lot, a lot,” Johnson said after winning co-MVP honors as Team Bed Stuy lost to Team Coney Island, 114-109, Saturday night in Brooklyn.
“We got a couple of similar schools on our lists and I think together we can do something real special in college. Me and him think similiarly so me and him are really talking about it, trying to get a decision done.
“It’s all about how the college feels about it. We want to do it, we’re committed to each other. As long as the college is OK with it and they’re seeing it the way we’re seeing it, then we can make it happen. But if it doesn’t happen that way, then we’re not going to do it.”
Johnson said Kentucky, Arizona and Florida were three schools the duo — who both play small forward — were considering.
“The schools that’s similar are Kentucky, Arizona, Florida, so far,” Johnson said.
“Then if that doesn’t happen then I still have USC, UCLA and Oregon, that kind of stuff.”
Winslow is currently considering eight schools — Duke, Florida, Kentucky, Kansas, Texas A&M, Arizona, UCLA and Stanford — and said he soon plans to cut to five.
“I think USC’s trying to get involved with him, too,” Johnson said. “So we’re going to start talking to USC together a little bit, so it’s going to be fun.”
Said the 6-6 Winslow of USC: “They might, they’ve been trying to reach out to me, but I don’t know what I’m going to do.”
Winslow told SNY.tv he and Johnson were “pretty serious” about the package but also mentioned Kansas as an option for both.
So far, the Tyus Jones/Jahlil Okafor package has been the most hyped — and likely to occur — among 2014 recruits but a potential Johnson/Winslow package could make some lucky college team an instant contender for a Final Four.
“The best one-two punch in the country,” Johnson said when asked how good they would be.
How likely is it?
That remains to be seen.
“I’m trying to do what’s best for my family, he’s trying to do what’s best for his,” Winslow said, “and if we play together, that would be cool.”
Photo: Kelly Kline/ Under Armour
