Chat with Scouts Inc.'s Reggie Rankin
![]() |
Send your questions and join Rankin in The Show Monday at 2:30 p.m. ET!
Recruiting Insider
Basketball Recruit Tracker
Reggie Rankin (2:31 PM)
Good afternoon hoop fans! A lot of high profile commitments this weekend as we get closer to the signing period in April. Let's get right to it.
Harvey (Charlotte, NC)
Does Memphis have the #1 class now? And what are the chances John Wall signs with Duke?
Reggie Rankin (2:35 PM)
Well Harvey. We are in the process of updating our top classes in 2009. With the addition of Cousins and Wall I believe they would secure the No. 1 class. With 3 of the 6 top players in the class that would be tough for UNC to beat.
Brett: Memphis TN
If Memphis lands Wall, would you say that this might be the greatest recruiting class in history of college basketball?
Reggie Rankin (2:37 PM)
Brett, I don't know about the greatest class ever. My history of college basketball recruiting isn't the best but it would certainly be one of them.
Nick Bayonne NJ
hey reggie i have to ask what kind of team do you think texas will be next year with the recruiting class they got and what will Avery Bradley and Jordan Hamilton will bring to the table
Reggie Rankin (2:39 PM)
Good question Nick. Bradley will will be a defensive stopper for the Longhorns. Hamilton will add an athletic scorer to their lineup. This class fits their style of play because of its quickness and athleticism. Right off the bat the Longhorns will be a terrific fullcourt pressure, defensive team.
Mike (DC)
What are your thoughts on Quinn Cook?
Reggie Rankin (2:41 PM)
Oh, Mike. I love him, love him, love him. He's got great speed with the ball in transition. He can take it coast to coast and find the open man. He can make open 3's and when he's in rythym he can make contested 3's. He will be a highly coveted recruit.
Mike (DC)
What do you know about Vee Sanford?
Reggie Rankin (2:43 PM)
Again, thanks Mike. Sanford is a skilled wing who's an excellent shooter off the dribble. He's got great range and a scorer's mentality. He's also big enough to play the two or three. I really like him. He's an excellent scoring wing. He played really well at the Marshall County Hoop Fest in the fall.
John, Jacksonville, FL
Can you comment on the most recent commitment that Wake Forest received from 6'6" European shooting guard Torgrim Sommerfeldt? Any sense of how he might contribute next year as a freshman?
Reggie Rankin (2:45 PM)
John, Torgrim is a legit 3-point threat from anywhere on the floor. He opens up penetration lanes for the quick Wake guards. He'll contribute with his outside shooting which will really spread the floor for the Deacons.
Ryan, Bristol PA
yo reggie, do you think Dalton Pepper from Pennsbury High School in Fairless Hills PA. will be any impact on West Virginia's squad next year?
Reggie Rankin (2:47 PM)
Yes, Ryan. He has a chance to make an early impact because of his toughness, size, strength and his ability to score in a variety of ways. Because of his toughness, Coach Huggins will be able to bring out his talent.
Jim Calhoun (Storrs, CT)
I seem to be in the mix for a lot of the top prospects in the 2010 class. I realize its early but what players do you think have the best chance of suiting up for the Huskies in two years?
Reggie Rankin (2:49 PM)
Well, coach, good to see you checkin' out ESPN.com's Recruit Tracker! Brandon Knight, Tobias Harris, Roscoe Smith and Jayvaughn Pinkston are high priority targets for the Huskies. Any combination of these four kids would give UConn a tremendous class. Check their evaluations out on our site.
Bookman balt,md
Hey reggie is roscoe smith or casey prather the top second option for unc if they dont get h barnes?
Reggie Rankin (2:51 PM)
Hey Bookman, I think they would take Roscoe Smith right away. Word on the street is Barnes is almost a lock for Duke. Stay tuned.
Steiny (NYC)
What do you think Borovnjak brings to Penn State?
Reggie Rankin (2:54 PM)
Steiny, my main man. Thanks for the question. Borovnjak, at 6-9, 230, he's skilled enough to play the 4 or 5. He can score on the post or step out and hit mid-range jumpers consistently. He'll be a tough matchup because he plays inside-out. He can pull less mobile players away from the basket and then post up smaller ones. He's an excellent get for the Lions.
John (Denver)
Hey Reggie, I see CU has a commit from Australia. It seems like very few top programs have international players on their roster. Are programs looking to do more international recruiting? Are there any summer camps in Europe/Australia that attempt to highlight prospects? Thanks, John
Reggie Rankin (2:57 PM)
Yes, many programs are exploring international options. Especially Australia, because the kids are good students who happen to also be good players, usually skilled big men and excellent point guards (ie Patty Mills at St. Mary's and 7-0 center Aleks Maric who was all-big 12 at Nebraska). The Australian Institute of Sport is a major hotspot for college coaches to find under the radar talent. Expect this trend to continue.
Jamie (Utica, NY)
Hey Reggie! With the 2nd year success that Beilein is having at Michigan, how has it affected their recruiting? Any big time players coming in?
Reggie Rankin (3:00 PM)
Thanks Andy, things are certainly starting to turn around for the Big Blue. Matt Vogrich will be a perfect fit in Coach Beilein's spread offense because he's a big time shooter with good size. He's also an excellent passer which is important in they're system.
Steve (Chicago)
Reggie, Did you happen to watch the Oak Hill/Montrose game this past week? Gallon and Yarou looked fantastic - as a Nova fan, it seems like Yarou can really step in and make an impact right away - would you agree or should I temper expectations? Armwood didn't look to shabby either.......
Reggie Rankin (3:03 PM)
Steve, Right now I would temper things. Let him get comfortable under coach Wright. He has all the tools, he can rebound and block shots but he's still a little raw. Give him a year to develop at the D-I level before you annoint him the second coming.
Craig (Houston)
Any word on how Trent Johnson at LSU doing in recruiting? Is he hitting up the Texas JUCO's for help next season?
Reggie Rankin (3:08 PM)
I think Trent Johnson is off to a great start and had a good weekend picking up Jalen Courtney, a high energy, rebounding forward. He'll be able to score in transition and score around the basket. Looks like they have also landed a 2011 guard, John Isaacs, out of Louisiana. Check back with ESPN's Scouts Inc for more info on that.
jesus
what is the chances kansas can land wall and stephenson?
Reggie Rankin (3:12 PM)
I don't think they'll get both. They have a better chance with Stephenson, who will give them an explosive scorer. With Wall, the scholarship situation at Memphis will certainly effect his decision. How many will Coach Cal have? We'll see what happens with guys like Dozier and Tyreke Evans next season.
John (Missouri)
Who has Missouri signed so far for next season, and What have you heard about them so far?
Reggie Rankin (3:15 PM)
John, the Tigers have signed Michael Dixon and Keith DeWitt for next season. Dixon is a true point guard who is quick and an excellent playmaker. He'll be a terrific on-ball defender. Just needs to improve his outside shooting. DeWitt is a skilled power forward with great size. Mizzou really likes his upside.
RJ - Dallas
How is Bruce Pearl's class coming along at Tennessee?
Reggie Rankin (3:20 PM)
RJ, as of now, coach Pearl has one recruit coming in next year, Kenny Hall. He's a physical post player who can play the 4 or 5. He's raw offensively but is very athletic with great size. He's really improved over the last year. The Vols are still in it for Eric Bledsoe and a few JUCO kids, including Rico Pickett, an Alabama transfer. Also, keep an eye on 2010 ESPNU Super 60 prospects Joe Jackson (PG) and Jelan Kendrick (SG) as Tennessee targets.
David (Los Angeles, CA)
How is Tim Floyd's class at USC look?
Reggie Rankin (3:23 PM)
David, time for some west coast love. Floyd's '09 class is looking very, very good led by McDonald's All-American Renardo Sidney. Fellow ESPNU 100 prospects Solomon Hill (Sidney's teammate) and Noel Johnson from Georgia are also headed to L.A. Sidney gives them a skilled, low post presence. Johnson is a good shooter with size and Hill is a good scorer off the dribble and in transition. Add power forward Derrick Williams to the mix and it's an excellent haul for Tim Floyd.
Friar Dom (Friartown, USA)
How do you feel about Keno Davis's First recruiting class coming in next year?...a lot of roster spots to fill
Reggie Rankin (3:26 PM)
Friar Dom, thanks, mam. Keno has done a great job of addressing their immediate needs, especially at point guard with Council and Lacy. He's also done a good job of adding size down low with Parmenter, Batts and Wright. He's done well increasing the talent level and filling needs at the two most important positions, point guard and the frontcourt.
Pagel,Wadsworth
How is Ohio State doing in recruiting?
Reggie Rankin (3:30 PM)
Pagel, in the 2009 class, the Buckeyes are looking to add a point guard during the late period. In 2010 they are off to a tremendous start, getting commitments from four ESPNU Super 60 prospects. Thad Matta has done a great job keeping guys in state, like Sullinger, Sibert and Wright is huge for them. On a side note, I feel they are a point guard away from another great run.
Brian (UW)
Thoughts on the class coming into Washington next year. How will Abdul Gaddy and Isiah Thomas co-exist next year?
Reggie Rankin (3:33 PM)
Great class. I think Abdul Gaddy is a true point guard with great size who can pass it well and score when needed. I think having Gaddy and Thomas next season will be good for the Huskies. They'll feed off one another and create opportunities for teammates. It's hard enough to get one good point guard so to have two is almost unheard of.
PK Boston
Reggie: Is Adrian Payne leaning one way or the other......talk he has attended a few of the Flyer's games??
Reggie Rankin (3:38 PM)
Thanks PK, some mid-major love. Yeah, he's been attending Dayton games for the last year or so. The Flyers are heavily involved but they'll have to fight off Ohio State, West Virginia and Xavier among others. Expect Payne to stay in the midwest, though. He is an extra-long, athletic power forward with very good skill. He runs the floor like a deer and has unbelievable upside.
Reggie Rankin (3:41 PM)
Thanks for all the questions everyone. We'll be back next week same time, same place and we'll try to get to as many as possible. Enjoy the week.
SportsNation on Facebook
THIS WEEK'S CHATS
- 11:00 AMFantasy's Eric Karabell
- 12:00 PMNFL with Matt Williamson
- 12:00 PMDawgNation's David Ching
- 12:00 PMYanks with Wally Matthews
- 1:00 PMMMA with Brett Okamoto
- 1:00 PMDallas' Jean-Jacques Taylor
- 1:30 PMNBA Insider Chad Ford
- 3:00 PMFantasy NASCAR Focus
- 4:00 PMGatorNation's Mike DiRocco
- 5:00 PMWeAreSC's Garry Paskwietz
- 11:00 AMFantasy Sports' AJ Mass
- 12:00 PMPatriots with Mike Reiss
- 12:00 PMWolverineNation's Jennings
- 12:00 PMBraves' P Craig Kimbrel
- 12:00 PMMets with Adam Rubin
- 1:00 PMMLB Insider Keith Law
- 1:00 PMNFL blogger Mike Sando
- 1:00 PMJohn Oreovicz on Indy 500
- 1:00 PMGiants with Youngmisuk
- 2:00 PMJets with Rich Cimini
- 2:00 PMNHL with Barry Melrose
- 2:30 PMIndyCar's Ed Carpenter
- 3:00 PMBoxer Delvin Rodriguez
- 3:00 PMNHL with Scott Burnside
- 4:00 PMFootball Scientist KC Joyner
- 11:00 AMNoleNation's David Hale
- 12:00 PMNFL with Dan Graziano
- 1:00 PMCubs, Sox with Levine
- 1:00 PMSweetSpot's Schoenfield
- 1:00 PMDallas' Jean-Jacques Taylor
- 2:00 PMGeauxTigerNation's Laney
- 2:00 PMNFL blogger Kevin Seifert
- 2:00 PMBoxing with Brian Campbell
- 3:00 PMFantasy's Stephania Bell
- 3:00 PMGolf with Farrell Evans
- 3:00 PMNFL columnist Ashley Fox
- 4:00 PMNFL with James Walker
- 4:00 PMHornsNation's Strickland


You must be signed in to post a comment