Recruits go on record about their recruitment

With the 2023 class basically a wrap, I’ve decided to move ahead to the class of 2024 to get a pulse on how the recruiting process is going for several top-100 junior prospects.

I asked each recruit a series of questions to learn the latest on their college recruitment.

This will be a running story that will continuously be updated.

Four-Star SG Annor Boateng

Size: 6-5 / 205
School: Little Rock Central (AR)
On3 Consensus Ranking: No. 24

1. Which schools are recruiting you the hardest?
“Missouri, Auburn, Arkansas, Ole Miss, and LSU.”

2. What schools would you like to visit? 
“I would like to take a visit to LSU and an official to Missouri.”

*Boateng has taken an official visit to Auburn and unofficial visits to Arkansas, Oklahoma State, and Missouri.

3. Which college coach would you say you’ve formed the closest relationship with and why?
“I probably formed the closest relationship with Cody Toppert at LSU, Coach (Kyle) Smithpeters at Mizzou, and Coach Ronnie (Brewer) at Arkansas. They all are great people that contact me about things outside of basketball. It’s great catching up with them.”

4. Is there anybody you’d like to team up with in college or is anyone recruiting you to join them?
“I would really like to play with Dallas Thomas.That has been my guy since we were little and it would be a really fun experience to see each other grow together and see our dreams come true.”

5. What’s the biggest deciding factor for you when making a decision on where you want to play college basketball? 
“Finding people that I can be really personable for me. ALso being able to fit in their program and how they run things. Also them being able to develop me outside of basketball and being a better person and student as well.”

Four-Star PF Ryan Jones

Size: 6-8 / 215
School: The Rock School (FL)
On3 Consensus Ranking: No. 59

1. Which schools are recruiting you the hardest?
“The schools that are recruiting me consistently and hardest are LSU, Virginia Tech, Florida, Georgia Tech, Miami, and Louisville.”

2. What schools would you like to visit? 
“Future official visits are still in the air, but they are coming very soon!”

3. Which college coach would you say you’ve formed the closest relationship with and why?
“The coach I have formed the closest relationship with is probably coach Cody Toppert from LSU. Because we are talking consistently either on the phone or text catching up with each other every week, and we had a good time together when he came to visit in the beginning of the season. He’s a down to earth coach, he’s relatable, and just a great coach and person!”

4. Is there anybody you’d like to team up with in college or is anyone recruiting you to join them?
“I would possibly like to team up with Karter Knox or David Castillo in the future, but only time will tell who I will be joining in the future.”

5. What’s the biggest deciding factor for you when making a decision on where you want to play college basketball? 
“I have three top deciding factors. First, is if one of the coaches on the coaching staff or anyone that is connected to the team has a relationship with Jesus. Second, if the coaches have a great relationship with each other, the coaches and players, and players having good relationships with each other (if they click together). Third, is if the college has a great educational side of things that meets my standards to pursue something down the road!”

Four-Star SG Trent Perry

Size: 6-4 / 175
School: Havard Westlake (CA)
On3 Consensus Ranking: No. 71

1. Which schools are recruiting you the hardest?
“USC, UCLA, Vanderbilt, and LMU.”

2. What schools would you like to visit? 
“Besides the places I have offers to, it would be cool to visit Arizona or Texas.”

3. Which college coach would you say you’ve formed the closest relationship with and why?
“From a head coach standpoint, it’s been coach Enfield from USC. Ever since he offered me, communication has been constant. He’s always making sure I’m doing good and we both try to get to know each other outside of basketball. He even talks to my parents as well.”

4. Is there anybody you’d like to team up with in college or is anyone recruiting you to join them?
“VJ Miller. We used to be AAU teammates for years growing up so it would be cool to play alongside him again.”

5. What’s the biggest deciding factor for you when making a decision on where you want to play college basketball? 
“The relationships. I want to have a tight bond with the staff and the team. Especially when I know that we’ll have each others back when in a war. Also, the relationship with the head coach is most important of all because I’ll know that he can trust me to produce the minute I step foot on campus.”

Four-Star C Thomas Sorber

Size: 6-9 / 250
School: Archbishop Ryan (PA)
On3 Consensus Ranking: No. 64

1. Which schools are recruiting you the hardest?
“Penn State, Providence, Virginia, Maryland, Miami, and Villanova.”

2. What schools would you like to visit? 
“Providence, Virginia, Miami, and Villanova.”

*Sorber has taken unofficial visits to Pitt and St. John’s.

3. Which college coach would you say you’ve formed the closest relationship with and why?
“Multiple coaches like Coach DJ (Irving) from Miami. I’ve known him since the ninth grade. He was one of my assistant coaches on Team Final so we’ve had a close relationship. Also, Coach (Adam) Fisher from Penn State has been talking to me a lot and tries to make me feel at home.”

4. Is there anybody you’d like to team up with in college or is anyone recruiting you to join them?
“No one in particular but I’d love to team up with a former teammate.”

Four-Star PG Dedan Thomas

Size: 6-1 / 170
School: Liberty (NV)
On3 Consensus: No. 31

1. Which schools are recruiting you the hardest?
“I’d say all the schools are recruiting pretty hard but Houston, Arizona, Gonzaga, and UNLV are in contact with me almost every day.”

2. What schools would you like to visit? 
“I’ve already visited all my top schools (UCLA, UNLV, Florida, Houston, Arizona, Gonzaga), just waiting on the Florida visit March 3rd, then still trying to get up to Gonzaga.

3. Which college coach would you say you’ve formed the closest relationship with and why?
“I would probably say it is between UNLV, Arizona, and Houston because I have known them all the longest out of all the schools.”

4. Is there anybody you’d like to team up with in college or is anyone recruiting you to join them?
“Jamari Phillips is trying to get me to go to Arizona with him. Mercy Miller is trying to get me at Houston. Then of course my guy Pharoah Compton is trying to team up in college as well, so we’ll see.”

5. What’s the biggest deciding factor for you when making a decision on where you want to play college basketball? 
“The biggest factor for me when it comes to choosing a college would probably being comfortable and just feeling like I’m at home and feel safe and good about myself and my decision.”

Four-Star C John Bol

Size: 7-2 / 190
School: Sunrise Christian (KS)
On3 Consensus Ranking: No. 25

1. Which schools are recruiting you the hardest?
“The schools that I hear from the most are Texas, Arkansas, Texas Tech, Mizzou, Kansas, Florida, Nebraska, USC, Kansas State, and Michigan.”

2. What schools would you like to visit? 
“I’ll like to visit whichever schools I’ve formed the best relationship with and shown me the best plan for my future success.”

*Bol has taken official visits to Michigan and Missouri, as well as an unofficial visit to Notre Dame.

3. Which college coach would you say you’ve formed the closest relationship with and why?

“I have a good relationship with all the schools that have been recruiting me. I don’t want people to think there is a favorite yet because that will push other schools away. I just got an offer from Georgia and Georgia Tech. Both have reached out to me in the last 24 hours so my recruitment is still growing and still open.”

4. What’s the biggest deciding factor for you when making a decision on where you want to play college basketball? 
“Obviously this will be the biggest decision I’ll have to make. But for me, I want to go to a school that will utilize and maximize my full potential. I know I can do more than just set screens and catch lobs (which is a good thing) and I’ll like to go to a school that will help me in that side of my game.”

Four-Star SF Derrion Reid

Size: 6-7 / 180
School: Grovetown (GA)
On3 Consensus Ranking: No. 50

1. Which schools are recruiting you the hardest?
“Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, Mississippi State, LSU, Virginia Tech, and Florida State.”

2. What schools would you like to visit? 
“I would like to go on official visits to Missouri, LSU, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, Virginia Tech, Mississippi State, and Florida State. Basically all the schools that hit me up the most.”

Reid has previously taken unofficial visits to South Carolina, Mississippi State, Georgia, LSU, Georgia Tech, Alabama, and Georgia State.

*Note: Players get five official visits during their junior year and five more for their senior year.

3. Which college coach would you say you’ve formed the closest relationship with and why?
“I would say its out of Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi State because they’ve just been around longer and hit me up every couple days or every week.”

4. Is there anybody you’d like to team up with in college or is anyone recruiting you to join them?
“Not anyone specific.”

5. What’s the biggest deciding factor for you when making a decision on where you want to play college basketball? 
“The biggest deciding factor is style of play and how the coaches handle their players.”

Four-Star SG Kur Teng

Size: 6-4 / 185
School: Bradford Christian Academy (MA)
On3 Consensus Ranking: No. 33

1. Which schools are recruiting you the hardest?
“Michigan State, Providence, and Rutgers are the schools recruiting me the hardest.”

2. What schools would you like to visit? 
“I am visiting Providence (Feb. 18) and Rutgers (Feb. 24) later this month so I’ll say those two.”

3. Which college coach would you say you’ve formed the closest relationship with and why?
“All three of those schools I have a pretty strong relationship with the coaching staff.”

4. Is there anybody you’d like to team up with in college or is anyone recruiting you to join them?
“I am very close with my teammates now in AAU and school ball, so if I got the chance to play with any of them at the next level, I would love to.”

5. What’s the biggest deciding factor for you when making a decision on where you want to play college basketball? 
“After I have taken all these visits, me and my family will talk and see what stands out most but I am big on relationships and of course the on-court things like their play styles will play a part.”

Four-Star PG Jase Richardson

Size: 6-3 / 180
School: Bishop Gorman (NV)
On3 Consensus Ranking: No. 46

1. Which schools are recruiting you the hardest?
“As of lately, Arkansas, Michigan State, Kansas, Alabama, Cincinnati, Cal, and Colorado have been recruiting the hardest.”

2. What schools would you like to visit? 
“I would like to try and visit Arkansas again, Kansas, and Stanford.”

*Richardson has taken an official visit to Michigan State and unofficial visits to Washington and Arkansas.

3. Which college coach would you say you’ve formed the closest relationship with and why?
“I would say I’ve built a close relationship with Coach Muss (Arkansas). We have been talking a lot as of lately and he’s shown a lot of love towards me and my family.”

4. Is there anybody you’d like to team up with in college or is anyone recruiting you to join them?
“I’m not doing much recruiting on my end but I have been talking to Jahki Howard about some potential schools we could team up at.”

5. What’s the biggest deciding factor for you when making a decision on where you want to play college basketball? 
“The biggest factors when making my decision is the coaching staff, style of play, and a place I feel I can be the best version of myself.”

Four-Star SF Dallas Thomas

Size: 6-7 / 170
School: Parkview Magnet (AR)
On3 Consensus Ranking: No. 57

1. Which schools are recruiting you the hardest?
“The schools recruiting me the hardest right now are Clemson, Missouri, LSU, Arkansas, and Oklahoma State.”

2. What schools would you like to visit? 
“Right now, I’m looking to set up a visit to LSU and Clemson since I haven’t gotten a chance to get up on campus yet.”

*Thomas has taken an official visit to Missouri and unofficial visits to Arkansas and Auburn.

3. Which college coach would you say you’ve formed the closest relationship with and why?
“The coach I’ve formed the closest relationship with so far is probably coach Gates (Missouri). I like how transparent and honest he has with me and he seems genuine in his recruitment. Just a great guy all around.”

4. Is there anybody you’d like to team up with in college or is anyone recruiting you to join them?
“I would like to play with Annor Boateng in college if it all works out in favor of it. We grew up playing with each other since we were in the third grade so to see us having a lot of similar offers is big so I definitely wouldn’t mind teaming up with him on the collegiate level.”

5. What’s the biggest deciding factor for you when making a decision on where you want to play college basketball? 
“The biggest deciding factor would be the place that feels like home and have that family culture within the players and staff. Also, development. Helping me to achieve my goal of getting to the NBA is a major factor.”

Four-Star SG Cam Scott

Size: 6-5 / 175
School: Lexington (SC)
On3 Consensus Ranking: No. 22

1. Which schools are recruiting you the hardest?
“Auburn, Tennessee, South Carolina, Alabama, Texas.”

2. What schools would you like to visit? 
“Wanting to visit Kansas, Tennessee, Florida State, and Alabama potentially.”

*Scott has taken official visits to South Carolina, Auburn, and Texas. He’s taken unofficial visits to North Carolina, Tennessee, and Florida State.”

3. Which college coach would you say you’ve formed the closest relationship with and why?
“I’d think coach (Bruce) Pearl at Auburn has the best relationship with me and my family. He has just made us feel at home since going to Auburn for a visit. He constantly makes an effort to keep in contact with me.”

4. Is there anybody you’d like to team up with in college or is anyone recruiting you to join them?
“I’ve been recruited by some people at Auburn and that’s about it for my 2024 class.”

5. What’s the biggest deciding factor for you when making a decision on where you want to play college basketball? 
“Somewhere I can come in, produce and make an impact early. Being with a coach and staff who want me to get better each and every day.”

Four-Star SF Isaiah Evans

Size: 6-5 / 185
School: North Mecklenburg (NC)
On3 Consensus Ranking: No. 29

1. Which schools are recruiting you the hardest?
“Arkansas, NC State, LSU, Kansas, and Maryland.”

2. What schools would you like to visit? 
“Any school that’ll have me.”

3. Which college coach would you say you’ve formed the closest relationship with and why?
“Coach Ruta from Arkansas. He’s always keeping in contact.”

4. Is there anybody you’d like to team up with in college or is anyone recruiting you to join them?
“Trey Maxwell.”

5. What’s the biggest deciding factor for you when making a decision on where you want to play college basketball? 
“Do I fit the system.”

Four-Star SG Juke Harris

Size: 6-6 / 175
School: Salisbury (NC)
On3 Consensus Ranking: No. 39

1. Which schools are recruiting you the hardest?
“LSU, Miami, Tennessee, Wake Forest, Virginia Tech, and Kansas.”

2. What schools would you like to visit? 
“Miami, LSU, and Kansas.”

*Harris has already officially visited Tennessee, Wake Forest, and Virginia Tech.

3. Which college coach would you say you’ve formed the closest relationship with and why?
“Between coach Forbes (Wake Forest) and coach Young (Virginia Tech) and coach Webster (Virginia Tech) because they always keep me updated. Every time I come to games, they always make me feel welcomed and I feel like we built a relationship outside of basketball.”

4. Is there anybody you’d like to team up with in college or is anyone recruiting you to join them?
“No, I can’t think of anyone specific.”

5. What’s the biggest deciding factor for you when making a decision on where you want to play college basketball?
“My biggest deciding factor is knowing I can come in and play as a freshman and possibly start. Just knowing my game won’t be limited and I can show my skill level to everyone.”

Four-Star SG Vyctorius Miller

Size: 6-5 / 170
School: Compass Prep (AZ)
On3 Consensus Ranking: No. 21

1. Which schools are recruiting you the hardest?
“Gonzaga, Arkansas, Memphis, Oregon, Cal, LSU, USC, Auburn, Kansas State, and Kansas.”

2. What schools would you like to visit? 
“I want to visit Kansas again. Just the atmosphere and culture they have over there is crazy. I also want to visit LSU, Gonzaga, and Oregon.”

3. Which college coach would you say you’ve formed the closest relationship with and why?
“I would say (coaches from) Kansas, UCLA, USC, Memphis, and Gonzaga because I have talked to them in person and they reach out to me the most.”

4. Is there anybody you’d like to team up with in college or is anyone recruiting you to join them?
“I don’t really have anyone in mind.”

5. What’s the biggest deciding factor for you when making a decision on where you want to play college basketball? 
“I would have to say the coaching staff. Do they let their players rock out? Is (jersey number) 5 going to be available? Do they believe in their players? The culture plays a big part too.”

Four-Star CG Jaeden Mustaf

Size: 6-6 / 205
School: Carmel Christian (NC)
On3 Consensus Ranking: No. 51

1. Which schools are recruiting you the hardest?
“Rutgers, Virginia Tech, Indiana, NC State, Virginia, Miami, Florida State.”

2. What schools would you like to visit? 
“Indiana, Miami, Maryland.”

3. Which college coach would you say you’ve formed the closest relationship with?
“Mike Young (Virginia Tech), Mike Woodson (Indiana), Kevin Keatts (NC State), and Tony Bennett (Virginia.)

4. Is there anybody you’d like to team up with in college or is anyone recruiting you to join them?
“I haven’t really thought about who I want to play with yet but I’m sure once I get closer to my decision I’ll have some players in mind. No one really has been saying too much about joining them, partly because I haven’t really cut my list.”

5. What’s the biggest deciding factor for you when making a decision on where you want to play college basketball? 
“A family environment and trust between myself and the coaches.”

Four-Star SF Marcus Allen

Size: 6-6 / 190
School: Compass Prep (AZ)
On3 Consensus Ranking: No. 36

1. Which schools are recruiting you the hardest?
“Schools that are recruiting the hardest right now are Missouri, Miami, Florida State, Oregon, Texas A&M, Arkansas, Stanford, Michigan, Ohio State, & Villanova.”

2. What schools would you like to visit? 
“I haven’t made my decision about what schools I would like to visit yet but in the near future I’ll figure it out.”

3. Which college coach would you say you’ve formed the closest relationship with and why?
“Coach CY from Missouri I would say I’ve formed the closet relationship with just off the fact he was the first one to give me a basketball offer and we’re also born and raised in the same part of town in Miami.”

4. Is there anybody you’d like to team up with in college or is anyone recruiting you to join them?
“I’m looking forward to teaming up with Karter Knox. Me and him have been playing with each other since our freshman year and we have similar schools recruiting us.”

5. What’s the biggest deciding factor for you when making a decision on where you want to play college basketball? 
“The biggest factor on deciding which school I’ll be attending is the relationship with coach outside of basketball. I feel like if I had a person to relate to outside basketball then the relationship would be genuine and that’s the one main thing I’m looking for.”

Four-Star PF Robert Miller III

Size: 6-9 / 225
School: Pasadena Memorial (TX)
On3 Consensus Ranking: No. 70

1. Which schools are recruiting you the hardest?
“Texas, TCU, Colorado, LSU.”

2. What schools would you like to visit? 
“UCLA, Kansas, and Duke.”

3. Which colleges would you say you’ve formed the closest relationship with?
“Texas and TCU.”

4. Is there anybody you’d like to team up with in college or is anyone recruiting you to join them? 
“I would like to play with Ron Holland (Texas signee).”

5. What’s the biggest deciding factor for you when making a decision on where you want to play college basketball? 
“The biggest deciding factor would probably have to be the staff and how transparent they are with me.”

Four-Star SG Jalil Bethea

Size: 6-4 / 170
School: Archbishop Wood (PA)
On3 Consensus Ranking: No. 68

1. Which schools are recruiting you the hardest?
“Miami, Syracuse, Penn State, Rutgers, Kansas.”

2. What schools would you like to visit? 
“I would like to visit Kansas and Miami.”

3. Which college coach would you say you’ve formed the closest relationship with and why?
“I would say two here. GMac (Gerry McNamara) from Syracuse and DJ Irving from Miami. I have more relationships with those coaches than anybody.”

4. Is there anybody you’d like to team up with in college or is anyone recruiting you to join them? 
“Definitely my guy, Thomas Sorber.”

5. What’s the biggest deciding factor for you when making a decision on where you want to play college basketball? 
“A place that feels like home to me. One where I fit and feel comfortable at.”

Four-Star SF Jalen Shelley

Size: 6-7, 175
School: Prestonwood Christian (TX)
On3 Consensus Ranking: No. 44

1. Which schools are recruiting you the hardest?
“LSU is recruiting me the hardest. They check on me almost daily.”

2. What schools would you like to visit? 
“I would like to visit Louisville, Alabama, and Texas.”

3. Which college coach would you say you’ve formed the closest relationship with and why?
“Coach (Kellen) Sampson. He always has a lot of energy and speaks positive about me every time we talk. Houston gives off a tight, family environment.”

4. Is there anybody you’d like to team up with in college or is anyone recruiting you to join them?
“I would like to play with my close friends, Tre Johnson and Jaylen Washington. They are two good guys to be around on and off the court. I know they both have the same mindset as me.”

5. What’s the biggest deciding factor for you when making a decision on where you want to play college basketball? 
“My biggest deciding factor is which school will develop me the most and take me to that next level.”