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.
Shaka Smart reels in 2 commits for Marquette; Theo John to transfer
By RYAN McMULLEN& ADAM ZAGORIAShaka Smart has had a big day for himself already.
The new Marquette coach reeled in pledges from Keeyan Itejere, a three-star power forward who decommitted from Texas to follow Smart, and David Joplin, a 6-foot-7 forward from Brookfield Central (WI) and D1 Minnesota AAU who is also following the coach.
Itejere, ranked the No. 30 power forward in the class per 247sports.com, initially committed to Texas last November and then change course Tuesday.
Joplin decomitted from Texas earlier in April. He led Brookfield Central to a conference title in his junior year. In his senior season he averaged 25.6 points, 10.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists.
According to 247Sports, Joplin is the No. 74 player in the country and is the No. 4 player from Wisconsin.
Joplin and Itejere will team up with four-star guards Stevie Mitchell, Kam Jones, and EmarionEllis, and three-star big man Keeyan Itejere for MU’s 2021 class.
Also, Marquette senior forward Theo John will transfer, according to ESPN. The 6-9 senior averaged 8.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.5 blocks this past season.
