BB Recruit Kennard Committing Somewhere on Monday night
Luke Kennard, a 6'6" forward from Franklin, Ohio and 2015 recruit, announced he is making a verbal commitment Monday night at 7:45pm.
Kennard just won 2014 Ohio Mr. Basketball (as a Junior.) He averaged 40 points a game. Kennard is considering Duke, Kentucky, Louisville, North Carolina, OSU, MSU, and Michigan.
LINK: http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/sports/kennard-to-verbally-commit-to-play-hoop/nfJ6q/
Luke Kennard just told me - "I think people will be surprised. I've been leaning this way for a while." Uh oh!
After some people I've talked to tonight, I'm now thinking that Luke Kennard might not be headed "that" far from home. Duke losing ground?
Based on the timing of this, I think its Duke. He just visited there and apparently loved it, so it would be odd for him to just randomly decide to commit if it wasn't going to be to Duke, right after a visit there. That being said, I think Michigan would clearly be the best choice, not only because I'm a fan, but look at what Beilein has done with unheralded recruits such as Burke and Stauskas. Kennard should note that, look at the offense we play, and it should be a no-brainer in my mind
I was also thinking, isn't Duke the only team out of the tournament now? Is it common for a kid to commit to a school during the tournament, if the school is still playing? Seems to me like they should wait. But, maybe I'm overthinking it.
Someone on twitter said he's thinking Kennard will pick Michigan. I immediately said I would buy him Lions season tickets if he's right. But then I said just kidding, so everyone knows it's not a real bet. :)
Not far from home?
Clearly he's going to Ohio's flagship university: The University of Dayton.
From Franklin, OH - Lexington, Kentucky:
1 hr 55 min
To Columbus:
1 hr 23 min
To Ann Arbor:
3 hr 18 min
My guess is this is just another kid saying "I'm going to surprise everyone" when he really isn't just to build up drama.
Sure Columbus is the closest school, but Kentucky isn't "far from home" either. Maybe after their win over WSU, he was convinced that's the place to go and decided to make it official.
It's most likely Kentucky, and I'm not holding out much hope that it isn't.
It's not uncommon for people in Ohio to identify Kentucky as their baskeball rooting interest. UK is probably considered "close to home." Louisville thinks they're close in proximity and culture to Cinci - not the other way around. Coin flip between UK and OSU, IMHO.
whereever he goes he will be a star impact player. IMO he is the best recruit in his entire class.
This kid is NBA bound relatively early.
then at least 1, probably 2 will play Sunday.
Monday he announces to the winner unless Tennessee then he picks Duke.
Seems legit.
March 24th, 2014 at 10:42 AM ^
March 24th, 2014 at 11:50 AM ^
The "people will be surprised" or "I'm going to shock the world" language is boilerplate nonsense. I have no problem with kids doing it, and it's true in some sense (whenever there are 3 teams with massive fan bases hoping a kid will choose their school, I'm sure the recruit sees so many tweets/comments etc. from other fan bases that he does, in fact, think he'll be "surprising" a lot of people). But all it does is unwittingly help the myriad recruiting databases churn out more content and BS to sell subscriptions.
Which is why I really dug Josh Rosen's approach. Maybe it didn't help Rivals/Scout/247 generate "IS CA QB 'DREAMIN' ABOUT A NEW SCHOOL???" articles for a week, but who gives a shit. Checks out a school. Likes the school. But admits that it's probably not going to change his mind.
March 24th, 2014 at 12:16 PM ^
Look at his list, what do all of the schools outside of us and Louisville have in common? Hint: It's the same thing that is shared with Kennard's AAU team, the King James something or other.
Yep, you guessed it, it's the swoosh. He is a Nike recruit and will go to a Nike school. It would be a shock if he doesn't choose the swoosh. It's all about the sneaker money.
BTW, this is not an indictment against our Adidas contract, just an observation.
March 24th, 2014 at 12:53 PM ^
...but for whatever reason, we're not atop his list.
Twitter says it's Duke. Sigh.
Edit: yep, it's Duke. The effect of putting on your new team's hat is kind of lost on the radio. . .
I hope he enjoys watching Michigan win the NC! :)