Five compelling recruiting questions for the NCAA late signing period

By ADAM ZAGORIA

As we head into the NCAA late signing period (April 17-May 15), there are still three Top 10 Class of 2019 recruits who are uncommitted, and six in the Top 30.

Here’s a  look at five compelling questions heading into the late signing period.

 

1-Where will Cole Anthony take his talents?

The 6-foot-3 point guard from Oak Hill Academy will now announce on Tuesday morning at 8:50 AM on ESPN.

Announcement UPDATE-Catch me on @GetUpESPN with @RealJayWilliams this Tuesday at 8:50am ET for my college announcement” pic.twitter.com/nPmyay6XZk

— Cole Anthony (@The_ColeAnthony) April 20, 2019

Ranked No. 2 by ESPN.com, he’s down to North Carolina, Oregon, Georgetown and Notre Dame. With Coby White declaring for the NBA Draft, Anthony could slide into his spot at UNC.

Prediction: UNC https://t.co/xqxJj5c1mh

— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) April 18, 2019

“I can see myself in a role similar to Coby White, but also different in a big way,” Anthony said before the McDonald’s Game. “It would be awesome to play with someone like that but if I was to go to Carolina, I doubt that he would be there. He’s had a helluva season.”

Anthony is coming off winning co-MVP honors at the Jordan Brand Classic on Saturday night in Las Vegas. He also had an impressive performance at the Nike Hoop Summit and won MVP honors at the McDonald’s All-American Game. He broke down all of his option at the McDonald’s Game.

FWIW ⁦@The_ColeAnthony⁩ ‘s brother Leo is decked out in full UNC gear. pic.twitter.com/2gnJ8o0m0q

— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) March 26, 2019

2. Will Matthew Hurt pick Duke on Friday?

The 6-foot-8 Hurt is set to announce his college choice on Friday afternoon at John Marshall High School (MN) and all signs point to Duke.

Matthew Hurt tells @TiptonEdits he plans on announcing his college decision at 3:15 PM CT tomorrow, April 19th. @HurtMatthew pic.twitter.com/Hgq0fMy37v

— TIPTON EDITS ? (@TiptonEdits) April 18, 2019

Hurt is officially considering Duke, Kansas, Kentucky, North Carolina and Memphis, but it appears he’s poised to join a Duke recruiting class that already includes guard Boogie Ellis, wing Wendell Moore and big man Vernon Carey Jr.

In terms of Duke, Hurt said at the McDonald’s Game that their message is he could be a “Jayson Tatum-, Brandon Ingram-type player. I could be a big impact both on the offensive and defensive end.”

 

3. What’s going to happen with Jaden McDaniels?

The 6-foot-10 forward from Federal Way (WA) is ranked No. 6 by ESPN.com and has kept his recruitment on the back burner for much of the season.

Washington and San Diego State are heavily in the mix, with Kentucky also an option. If he joins Isaiah Stewart at home-state Washington, it would give coach Mike Hopkins a lethal frontcourt with a couple of future lottery picks. If he chooses San Diego State, he could slide into a spot vacated by his brother, Jalen McDaniels, who declared for the NBA. Kentucky remains in need of frontcourt help after adding grad transfer Nate Sistina.

“I don’t have a specific day or month, but whenever the time is right and I feel like I should commit,” he said at the McDonald’s Game, “then I’ll make my decision.”

 

4. Is Memphis going to add Trendon Watford?

The 6-foot-8 Watford is considering Memphis, Alabama, Indiana and LSU, but Memphis is trending heavily for the Alabama native.

If Penny Hardaway adds Watford to a recruiting class that includes James Wiseman and D.J. Jeffries, the Tigers could be especially fun to watch next season.

“They’re a great coaching staff, great school and I feel I have a great relationship with Coach Mike Miller and Coach Penny Hardaway,” Watford said of Memphis at the McDonald’s Game. “James Wiseman is probably recruiting me harder than they are, so I feel like when we played together in July [in AAU] we played pretty good together so I feel like that can translate to the next level.”

2019 @Trendon_2 talks Memphis and LSU. Said @BigTicket_JW is probably recruiting him harder than the Memphis staff. pic.twitter.com/ggBTVqvgAN

— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) March 25, 2019

New Alabama coach Nate Oats also met with Watford upon taking the job, while Indiana coach Archie Miller met with Watford on Wednesday.

Watford was set to announce at the Jordan Brand Class in Las Vegas on Saturday, but no longer will because the game isn’t televised, he said.

 

5. Will Precious Achiuwa be the last to commit?

The 6-foot-9 Montverde (FL) Academy forward impressed at the Nike Hoop Summit, where he excelled along with Nico Mannion for the World Team in their loss to the USA.

North Carolina, Kansas and Memphis are among those heavily involved for Achiuwa who said at the McDonald’s Game he may not decide until later in May.

North Carolina would love to pair him with Anthony in a loaded 2019 class. Kansas is awaiting word on Achiuwa, Hurt and Cassius Stanley (who will also announce soon). And Memphis would love to add him to a class involving Wiseman, Jeffries and possibly Watford. Achiuwa will take an official to Memphis on Monday, as first reported by 247Sports.com.

“Me and my family were thinking about late May, maybe around that time,” he said of a decision timeline. “Right after GEICO [High School Nationals April 4-6 in New York City], we’re going to sit down and we’re going to make decisions and it’s going to benefit myself moving forward.”

Game and practice highlights from McDonald’s All American week of the uncommitted five-star @PreciousAchiuwa ???https://t.co/D8gyGpqBNz pic.twitter.com/87EaxSwL9z

— Krysten Peek (@KP_Rivals) April 2, 2019