Top-2019 NCAA Basketball prospect Keion Brooks is looking to make his college choice soon.
Consensus top-35 recruit Keion Brooks is closing in on making a decision about his future. The 6-foot-8 wing recently talked to Joseph Tipton in an Instagram Live post. ESPN is the only one of the major national recruiting services that did not give Brooks a five-star rating. He is ranked as the 13th best prospect by 247 Sports, 22nd by 247 Composite and 27th by Rivals.
"“It’s still kind of up in the air, but I don’t want to drag it out too much longer. I feel like I’m getting close to almost making a decision. I still have to figure some things out, ask some more questions to narrow it down, but I’m not going to drag it out all the way till April. Definitely not that.”"
Brooks trimmed his list to six schools a while ago which included Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, UCLA, Purdue and Michigan State. However, he has all but has officially eliminated the Bruins from consideration as a result of the firing of coach Steve Alford.
“It will definitely have an impact on my decision,” Brooks said when talking about UCLA. “Him (Alford) and his staff have been recruiting me for a long time and we’ve had a great relationship over the last two years so it would be kind of hard trying to start over with a new coach right now and build that whole thing over again.”
Brooks is a versatile scorer who is lanky and athletic. He is excellent in the mid-range area and has the ability to create his own shot. However, Brooks does need to get stronger — particularly lower body — and improve his shot mechanics as well as play hard everytime he is on the court.
The Fort Wayne (Ind.) native is one of the nation’s top prospects that remain uncommitted. He transferred to the La Lumiere School, where top-10 2019 prospect Isaiah Stewart also plays, in August. Brooks and Stewart have reportedly been discussing the recruiting process with each other. While both players have yet to make a decision, the two are not necessarily looking to play together at the next level, according to Brian Snow of 247 Sports.
Breaking down Brooks college choices
Brooks has taken four of his five official visits so far as he has taken trips to UCLA, UNC, Indiana, and Kentucky. He said that he may not take a fifth official, but if he does it will be to Michigan State.
The school order is my prediction of where each program stands in the likelihood of landing Brooks.
6. Purdue Boilermakers: The Boilermakers already have three players from the class of 2019 signed to letters of intent. With the team only graduating two seniors and having an extra scholarship available as a result of having 12 players on scholarship, it means they don’t have any more room available for Brooks anyways. Unless star junior point guard Carson Edwards leaves for the NBA or another player departs from the program.
Four-star point guard Isaiah Thompson, four-star shooting guard Brandon Newman and four-star combo forward Mason Gillis are the three incoming freshmen. Brooks is the only player that Purdue has an open offer to.
5. UCLA Bruins: The Bruins would likely be right in the mix if Alford was still there, but he is not. Another problem is that the Bruins, who could ultimately have some roster turnover after the season with a coaching change, already have signed three players from the senior class. Two of the signees, Jaime Jacquez Jr. and Jake Kyman, play Brooks position.
4. Michigan State Spartans: The Spartans have been recruiting Brooks the longest, so they may actually be higher on his list. However, he has not taken an official visit and may not. Part of the reason is that MSU has canceled a few of the dates that he was scheduled to.
The Spartans are pretty set at the forward spots going forward unless junior Nick Ward decides to leave early. They do have more immediate needs at center and shooting guard where they are looking at Stewart and Harlon Beverley. MSU has already signed four-star point guard Mark “Rocket” Watts and four-star small forward Malik Hall.
3. UNC Tar Heels: The Tar Heels are a very interesting case as they are of course a perennial power and could have two talented sophomores coming back in Nassir Little and Coby White. Little is probably a little bit more of a question mark as he could bolt for the NBA. UNC will lose stars Cam Johnson, Luke Maye as well as Kenny Williams.
Coach Roy Williams has already signed top-60 prospect Jeremiah Francis as well as top-20 recruit Armando Bacot. The Tar Heels currently have one scholarship remaining are in the mix for several other top prospects including Cole Anthony, Mathew Hurt, and Precious Achiuwa.
Favorites for Brooks
2. Kentucky Wildcats: The Wildcats are seemily always in the mix for the nation’s top recruits and they are in good position to land Brooks. While senior Reid Travis is the only player that will definitely not return next season, UK could lose several other players to the NBA with P.J. Washington and Keldon Johnson being the most likely to move on.
Kentucky, which currently has nine scholarship players, has two scholarship available for 2019 after receiving commitments from three prospects. Five-star combo guard Tyrese Maxey and four-star small forward Dontaie Allen have already inked their letters of intent. Meanwhile, top-45 prospect Kahlil Whitney has verbally committed to the Wildcats.
Coach John Calipari has open offers to Hurt, Stewart and McDaniels as well.
1. Indiana Hoosiers: The Hoosiers are the favorite to keep the home state product. A big reason is Brooks’ relationship with Trayce Jackson-Davis. Jackson-Davis along with four-star shooting guard Armaan Franklin have signed letters of intent with the Hoosiers. The problem is that the Hoosiers do not currently have any scholarships available for next season. However, it is possible that freshman phenom Romeo Langford could enter the draft following this season.
Indiana is also in the mix for Hurt, Stewart and Trenton Watford.
Coach Archie Miller has IU humming as the Hoosiers currently sit third in a very tough Big Ten Conference at 12-4 overall and 3-2 in the league. They mainly rely on a defense that ranks 46th in the nation in scoring (65.6 ppg), although they are allowing 69 points a game in conference play. Langford and senior Juwon Morgan are the Hoosiers main offensive threats.
Final thought: I believe this really is a two horse race with Indiana having a slight edge over Kentucky. UNC is a pretty distant third.