LSU Tigers: Future Bright With 2015 Recruiting Class
By Jacob Rude
On Monday, the LSU Tigers landed their second five-star recruit for the 2015 recruiting class by landing Antonio Blakeney, a guard out of Florida. Blakeney made his decision on ESPNU and had this to say about LSU and why he chose them:
"“Really it was just my relationship with coach (David Patrick) and Coach (Johnny) Jones and the plan they have for the program,” Blakeney said. “It’s something I really want to be a part of. It’s more a football school, but they’re trying to make it a basketball school. When me and Ben get there, we have a chance to take it another level.”"
Paired with Ben Simmons, who is a consensus top 3 prospect in the class, and LSU quickly has one of the best recruiting classes in the nation already, a reaction that was seen largely across Twitter
LSU's recruiting class of five-star prospects Ben Simmons and Antonio Blakeney now ranks No. 6 in ESPN's class rankings.
— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) January 2, 2015
LSU could really terrific next season. Tigers have No. 1 player in Ben Simmons. Depends whether Jarell Martin and Jordan Mickey return.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) January 2, 2015
.@jerrymeyer247 says LSU is "a Final Four-caliber team" next yr depending on who returns to play w/ Blakeney, Simmons http://t.co/rCKfx4nd0g
— Ben Roberts (@BenRobertsHL) January 2, 2015
Many will recall that Blakeney previous committed to Louisville, then reopened his commitment days later, a decision rightfully surrounded in controversy. Some, including Jerry Meyer of 247Sports, said Blakeney’s decision to reopen his recruitment was based on shoe companies. Blakeney played for an AAU program that was Nike-sponsored, but Louisville had Adidas as their primary sponsor. Whether that statement is true or not, LSU is a Nike-sponsored school, which adds fuel to the fire.
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Regardless of the reasoning, with Blakeney and Simmons alone, the Tigers would have a bright future in itself. However, with current stars Jarell Martin and Jordan Mickey possibly returning as well next year, LSU may have it’s best team since Tyrus Thomas and Glen Davis led the 2005-06 team to the Final Four.
Without either Martin or Mickey departing for the NBA, LSU and head coach David Patrick have three scholarships open for next season. With another top recruit possible, LSU may be challenging the likes of Florida and Kentucky as among the SEC elites.
Currently, Martin and Mickey are 1-2 for LSU in scoring, averaging 17.5 and 15.6 points per game, respectively. They also are first and second in rebounds, with Mickey grabbing 9.9 a game and Martin at 9.0, while Martin is a shot-swatting machine average 3.5 blocks per night.
On top of that, they’re roster is full of young talent with the only two seniors on the roster having scored a total of 24 points for the team. While Martin and Mickey’s decision will be vital, this team is young and, if they return and add Blakeney and Simmons, we may be looking at one of the best teams not only in the SEC, but in the nation next season.
Who says LSU is a football school (ok maybe they still are).