2020 Duke men's basketball recruiting

[ChillinDuke]

I thought this happened several weeks ago.

Didn't it only kind of happen? I thought he listed his final 5 (excluding Georgia), but then in a recorded interview he said something on the order of, "yeah, I've got my final 5, but it's maybe more like 6..."

So the answer may be a bit gray.

- Chillin

[DavidBenAkiva]

Didn't it only kind of happen? I thought he listed his final 5 (excluding Georgia), but then in a recorded interview he said something on the order of, "yeah, I've got my final 5, but it's maybe more like 6..."

So the answer may be a bit gray.

- Chillin

If I recall correctly, Kessler was quoted in an interview discussing a final 5 or 6. That list included Auburn, Duke, Gonzaga, Michigan, and UNC. It turns out the 6th is Cal. He announced his Final 6 on twitter.

If I were a betting man, the money would be moving towards Duke or Auburn on this one with Michigan as a dark horse. The personnel/style of play does not bode well for UNC. Gonzaga already has about 6 big men in its mix, including 3 or 4 current freshmen. Cal is a bit of an odd inclusion. It's too soon to tell if Michigan will be a serious contender for talent with new head coach Juwon Howard. I am expecting a season with many losses after the Wolverines lost their three best players to the NBA this offseason. And it is too soon to tell if Howard is going to be a good coach. I won't bet against him, but it's just too early.

That leaves Auburn and Duke. Bruce Pearl has proven yet again that he can really coach and team. Unfortunately, he has also proven yet again that controversy follows him around. The school was just notified of findings of violations from the NCAA. That's got to scare a player and their family to a certain extent. And despite the jokes on here that we make at UNC expense (more than deserved), the other schools on Kessler's list are all academically oriented. Michigan and Cal among the most elite public universities in the nation and world. Duke is the private school with an excellent educational reputation.

Based on positional fit and other factors, this looks like a good situation for Duke. It's no guarantee, but it does look good. I hope that the young man enjoys his next visit to campus this fall.

[jimsumner]

Didn't it only kind of happen? I thought he listed his final 5 (excluding Georgia), but then in a recorded interview he said something on the order of, "yeah, I've got my final 5, but it's maybe more like 6..."

So the answer may be a bit gray.

- Chillin

I guess this makes official what has been rumored for several weeks.

[ChillinDuke]

I guess this makes official what has been rumored for several weeks.

That college bball recruiting operates in a world of gray?



- Chillin

[JasonEvans]

While I am aware it happened, I am just stunned that Kessler has eliminated Georgia from his list.

I want you to think on this for a moment... This would be like Tyus Jones having 2 kids. The first child follows his father and uncle to Duke. Then, the second son -- who appears the best basketball player of any of them -- announces that not only is he not going to go to Duke, but Duke did not even make his top 6 schools.

To be clear, Walker Kessler probably grew up attending UGA football and basketball games at least a dozen times a year. He probably has UGA posters on his wall and jerseys in his closet.

-Jason "I'm just floored that UGA didn't even make his final 5... wow" Evans

[CrazyNotCrazie]

While I am aware it happened, I am just stunned that Kessler has eliminated Georgia from his list.

I want you to think on this for a moment... This would be like Tyus Jones having 2 kids. The first child follows his father and uncle to Duke. Then, the second son -- who appears the best basketball player of any of them -- announces that not only is he not going to go to Duke, but Duke did not even make his top 6 schools.

To be clear, Walker Kessler probably grew up attending UGA football and basketball games at least a dozen times a year. He probably has UGA posters on his wall and jerseys in his closet.

-Jason "I'm just floored that UGA didn't even make his final 5... wow" Evans

I am also very surprised by him cutting UGA from his list, given the very deep family ties that he has there. But the analogy to the Jones brothers at Duke doesn't really work here. A better analogy would be if two brothers were stars at Duke for football (the best I could do off the top of my head is Kyler and Kelby Brown, but that doesn't work that well) and one of their kids didn't choose Duke for football, instead considering schools like Notre Dame, Michigan, etc. Most of the schools he is considering are pretty far ahead of UGA in basketball, without sacrificing academics either. So his list sacrifices his family ties for a better basketball situation, which is not that crazy (but I agree, it is still surprising).

[luvdahops]

I am also very surprised by him cutting UGA from his list, given the very deep family ties that he has there. But the analogy to the Jones brothers at Duke doesn't really work here. A better analogy would be if two brothers were stars at Duke for football (the best I could do off the top of my head is Kyler and Kelby Brown, but that doesn't work that well) and one of their kids didn't choose Duke for football, instead considering schools like Notre Dame, Michigan, etc. Most of the schools he is considering are pretty far ahead of UGA in basketball, without sacrificing academics either. So his list sacrifices his family ties for a better basketball situation, which is not that crazy (but I agree, it is still surprising).

I think that is generally true except for including Auburn on his list. While they did just make the Final Four, they are hardly an established basketball power, and lost a lot of talent from their 2018-19 squad. And they are a fierce conference rival of Georgia, at least in football, and probably a notch down from UGA academically as well. That has to hurt for Dawg fans.

[JasonEvans]

I am also very surprised by him cutting UGA from his list, given the very deep family ties that he has there. But the analogy to the Jones brothers at Duke doesn't really work here. A better analogy would be if two brothers were stars at Duke for football (the best I could do off the top of my head is Kyler and Kelby Brown, but that doesn't work that well) and one of their kids didn't choose Duke for football, instead considering schools like Notre Dame, Michigan, etc. Most of the schools he is considering are pretty far ahead of UGA in basketball, without sacrificing academics either. So his list sacrifices his family ties for a better basketball situation, which is not that crazy (but I agree, it is still surprising).

Yup, your analogy may be better, though it is worth noting that the Kessler father (Chad) and uncle (Alec)were pretty big stars for the Dawgs and Alec was an All-American who went on to be the #12 pick in the NBA draft. This family is legend in the UGA world, so a bit more than the Browns are at Duke.

It is also worth noting that this recruitment is happening immediately on the heels of Tom Crean landing Anthony Edwards from Atlanta, who is almost certainly the highest regarded recruit in UGA history. For Crean to follow that up by failing to even really get in the conversation for Kessler... well, it is a sobering message to UGA fans, I'd say.

[budwom]

Maybe you guys are overthinking this. Maybe Kessler finds Crean to be as creepy as many of us do.

https://www.aseaofblue.com/2019/1/15...ball-marquette

Yeah, I know this link is from a Kintucky site, but you don't have to dig too far to find lots of evidence that some kids don't want to play for this guy, no matter where dad went to school.

[BD80]

While I am aware it happened, I am just stunned that Kessler has eliminated Georgia from his list.

I want you to think on this for a moment... This would be like Tyus Jones having 2 kids. The first child follows his father and uncle to Duke. Then, the second son -- who appears the best basketball player of any of them -- announces that not only is he not going to go to Duke, but Duke did not even make his top 6 schools.

To be clear, Walker Kessler probably grew up attending UGA football and basketball games at least a dozen times a year. He probably has UGA posters on his wall and jerseys in his closet.

-Jason "I'm just floored that UGA didn't even make his final 5... wow" Evans

And having the Joneses live in NC!

[sagegrouse]

While I am aware it happened, I am just stunned that Kessler has eliminated Georgia from his list.

I want you to think on this for a moment... This would be like Tyus Jones having 2 kids. The first child follows his father and uncle to Duke. Then, the second son -- who appears the best basketball player of any of them -- announces that not only is he not going to go to Duke, but Duke did not even make his top 6 schools.

To be clear, Walker Kessler probably grew up attending UGA football and basketball games at least a dozen times a year. He probably has UGA posters on his wall and jerseys in his closet.

-Jason "I'm just floored that UGA didn't even make his final 5... wow" Evans

I am also very surprised by him cutting UGA from his list, given the very deep family ties that he has there. But the analogy to the Jones brothers at Duke doesn't really work here. A better analogy would be if two brothers were stars at Duke for football (the best I could do off the top of my head is Kyler and Kelby Brown, but that doesn't work that well) and one of their kids didn't choose Duke for football, instead considering schools like Notre Dame, Michigan, etc. Most of the schools he is considering are pretty far ahead of UGA in basketball, without sacrificing academics either. So his list sacrifices his family ties for a better basketball situation, which is not that crazy (but I agree, it is still surprising).

Let me quote the 17 YO Sage Grouse -- "I AM SO OUT OF HERE!!" -- when there were serious suggestions that I remain home and attend college in South Carolina.

[tbyers11]

Maybe you guys are overthinking this. Maybe Kessler finds Crean to be as creepy as many of us do.

https://www.aseaofblue.com/2019/1/15...ball-marquette

Yeah, I know this link is from a Kintucky site, but you don't have to dig too far to find lots of evidence that some kids don't want to play for this guy, no matter where dad went to school.

Ding, ding, ding.

I didn't even read your link (can't stomach going to a UK site) but this was my take all along. Crean does creep me out a bit. I think it might be the spray tan.

[frb]

While I am aware it happened, I am just stunned that Kessler has eliminated Georgia from his list.

I want you to think on this for a moment... This would be like Tyus Jones having 2 kids. The first child follows his father and uncle to Duke. Then, the second son -- who appears the best basketball player of any of them -- announces that not only is he not going to go to Duke, but Duke did not even make his top 6 schools.

To be clear, Walker Kessler probably grew up attending UGA football and basketball games at least a dozen times a year. He probably has UGA posters on his wall and jerseys in his closet.

-Jason "I'm just floored that UGA didn't even make his final 5... wow" Evans

his sister said no to UGA. Went to LSU instead. Volleyball player. Beautiful, too. So his family has a lot history at UGA but not attached at the hip.

[budwom]

Ding, ding, ding.

I didn't even read your link (can't stomach going to a UK site) but this was my take all along. Crean does creep me out a bit. I think it might be the spray tan.

It turns out it wasn't even a UK generated story, and it was carried by the Georgia site...I share your UK aversion, but I did determine they didn't write the article...

[SavDukeGrad]

Maybe you guys are overthinking this. Maybe Kessler finds Crean to be as creepy as many of us do.

https://www.aseaofblue.com/2019/1/15...ball-marquette

Yeah, I know this link is from a Kintucky site, but you don't have to dig too far to find lots of evidence that some kids don't want to play for this guy, no matter where dad went to school.

I just spoke to a family member who is a UGA grad and keeps his finger on the pulse in Athens. His take fwiw:

The Kessler family was upset with UGA when they fired Mark Fox. Walker’s older brother, Houston, played for Fox at UGA from 2013-17. The family liked Fox, who gave Houston a chance when not a lot of other major programs did. (Also, apparently many fans thought he gave Houston too much playing time given his production, but I guess that’s a separate matter)

It’s more an issue of loyalty to Fox; not dislike of Crean.

And as far as the issue of Walker adding Cal to his list, the new coach at Cal is ... Mark Fox.

[budwom]

I just spoke to a family member who is a UGA grad and keeps his finger on the pulse in Athens. His take fwiw:

The Kessler family was upset with UGA when they fired Mark Fox. Walker’s older brother, Houston, played for Fox at UGA from 2013-17. The family liked Fox, who gave Houston a chance when not a lot of other major programs did. (Also, apparently many fans thought he gave Houston too much playing time given his production, but I guess that’s a separate matter)

It’s more an issue of loyalty to Fox; not dislike of Crean.

And as far as the issue of Walker adding Cal to his list, the new coach at Cal is ... Mark Fox.

Good info. But I don't think Walker can go to Cal because he'll be too far away from mom's biscuits, or whatever . Hopefully he sees the merits of a brief stop in Durham.

[plimnko]

Good info. But I don't think Walker can go to Cal because he'll be too far away from mom's biscuits, or whatever . Hopefully he sees the merits of a brief stop in Durham.

not to mention at cal, he'd be as visible as a uncheat athlete in class lol

[johnb]

not to mention at cal, he'd be as visible as a uncheat athlete in class lol

D1 basketball players do tend to stick out in a typical college class, especially when everyone stands up.

Somebody at Cal must be going to class, however, at least enough that the school’s overall ranking in the world is #6, wedged between such sports factories as Oxford and Princeton.

https://cwur.org/2018-19.php

[AtlDuke72]

I just read one the story on one of our recruits which mainly consisted of him saying what a great player he is. Does anybody ever tell these kids how bad this sounds (even if they really are a great player) ?

[UrinalCake]

Duke extended an offer to Ziaire Williams, a top-10 wing/small forward who has been on the rise. Plays for Sierra Canyon which will have a really loaded team including Lebron’s kid. Cassius Stanley went there and I believe Bagley did as well.

https://twitter.com/therealziaire/st...989915648?s=21