All Signs pointing to Matthews to UK Wednesday
[caption id="attachment_152538" align="alignnone" width="393"]
Via 247sports.com[/caption]
As reported earlier, Charles Matthews (#12 Composite overall) will be announcing his school decision Wednesday between UK, Illinois, Kansas, Marquette, and Michigan State. Matthews has been rumored as a UK lean for months, which can be seen on the Crystal Ball with many UK picks dating back into June. There are several factors that make UK a very viable option for Matthews and the favorite heading into tomorrow.
1) The Meanstreets Pipeline
This is probably the biggest factor of them all, and an often overlooked part of recruiting. John Calipari has a strong connection to the AAU team Meanstreets. He has been able to successfully recruit seemingly every player he wants from the program. Derrick Rose, Anthony Davis, and Tyler Ulis were all Meanstreets alumni that Calipari was able to recruit to his program. Calipari clearly has a healthy relationship with the coaches of Meanstreets and is able to show the recruits the success he has had with the other Chicago guys in the past.
2) Tyler Ulis
As mentioned above, Ulis is a fellow player for Meanstreets. The two have played many games alongside each other. While they are not overly close friends, Matthews and Ulis gel on the court quite well. It is safe to assume Ulis will be at UK for several years as a pass first point guard, and Matthews likely will appreciate playing with a point guard who could enhance his offensive game to new heights.
3) Most recent visit
Early tonight, some were worried about Calipari not visiting Matthews any time in the recent past. This idea changed quickly when it was reported that Calipari was at Matthews' practice today in Chicago.
Via 247sports.com[/caption]
As reported earlier, Charles Matthews (#12 Composite overall) will be announcing his school decision Wednesday between UK, Illinois, Kansas, Marquette, and Michigan State. Matthews has been rumored as a UK lean for months, which can be seen on the Crystal Ball with many UK picks dating back into June. There are several factors that make UK a very viable option for Matthews and the favorite heading into tomorrow.
1) The Meanstreets Pipeline
This is probably the biggest factor of them all, and an often overlooked part of recruiting. John Calipari has a strong connection to the AAU team Meanstreets. He has been able to successfully recruit seemingly every player he wants from the program. Derrick Rose, Anthony Davis, and Tyler Ulis were all Meanstreets alumni that Calipari was able to recruit to his program. Calipari clearly has a healthy relationship with the coaches of Meanstreets and is able to show the recruits the success he has had with the other Chicago guys in the past.
2) Tyler Ulis
As mentioned above, Ulis is a fellow player for Meanstreets. The two have played many games alongside each other. While they are not overly close friends, Matthews and Ulis gel on the court quite well. It is safe to assume Ulis will be at UK for several years as a pass first point guard, and Matthews likely will appreciate playing with a point guard who could enhance his offensive game to new heights.
3) Most recent visit
Early tonight, some were worried about Calipari not visiting Matthews any time in the recent past. This idea changed quickly when it was reported that Calipari was at Matthews' practice today in Chicago.
Top Illinois jr. Charles Matthews announces college decision tomorrow. @UKCoachCalipari was at St Rita practice today http://t.co/KIrfxBXahR
– Scott/Ballislife (@14judge) February 25, 2014
Let's be real. If Calipari was at a player's practice one day and he is making a surprise announcement immediately after, you can safely assume UK is in the driver's seat for the player.
Bring 'em down to Lexington.
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