NCAA Basketball: Most likely options for Boogie Ellis after leaving Duke

LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 09: Jonah Mathews #2 of the USC Trojans brings the ball up the court against the Oregon Ducks during a semifinal game of the Pac-12 basketball tournament at T-Mobile Arena on March 9, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Trojans won 74-54. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

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MIAMI, FL – DECEMBER 01: Head coach Penny Hardaway of the Memphis Tigers reacts against the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the HoopHall Miami Invitational at American Airlines Arena on December 1, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

Memphis Tigers

This recruiting class is already scary with even more potential to grow. They could add as many as 5 more top 100 recruits before the end of the signing period. They already have the number 1 player in James Wiseman and 2 others ranked in the top 100 currently. This could be a class that rivals Duke’s from last year.

For Boogie, the only player that might be able to stop him from starting is if they sign RJ Hampton, and that is still a long shot given that I think both will start over Tyler Harris. Another recruit is Lester Quinones brings a shot similar to that of Boogie, but Boogie can handle the ball something that Quinones is not that comfortable doing. Boogie should be given the reigns to run this offense alongside Hampton should both sign from day 1.

Memphis is in on what seems every remaining recruit. This class could truly be something special I just hope that many of them do not just walk in and expect to get minutes. I expect this class to grow which I think could have the same impact on Boogie Ellis as it did on him at Duke. Get ready Tiger fans this year could be one to remember much like the one with D-Rose.

Final Thoughts

Boogie Ellis made the choice to go to Duke as he thought that Coach K was the best coach for him. While that still might be true, for a recruit that has aspirations of playing in the NBA after next year, not being guaranteed a starting spot would hurt that thought.

Next. Early Pac-12 power rankings for 2019-20. dark

Opening up his recruitment once again is the right call, as it still leaves the door open to return to Duke should he decide none of his other schools are to that level. But, he will also gain the potential to choose where he wants to go, and he should start at the schools I talked about. Both, Memphis and USC are programs that could compete for conference titles next year, and wouldn’t that look good for his draft portfolio.

I think USC wins this reopened battle for Ellis in the end, however. Boogie is a special talent that should not go unnoticed just because he is not going to Duke at this point.

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