Jaden McDaniels
Now this is a strange recruitment. By that I mean: 5-star big man Jaden McDaniels appears to not care whatsoever about his recruitment. I wouldn’t put it past the kid to just never commit and to show up on some school’s doorstep in August, and shock whichever coach like they’re Frances McDormand in Almost Famous.
I truly believe McDaniels has no interest in the drama and charades that normally correspond with a blue-chip player’s recruitment. Perhaps it’s overshadowed some of his playing ability and national recognition. He’s really not a guy who draws much attention, despite being a 6’11 mobile big man who plays like a guard on offense. If he wanted national attention and had committed to Duke or something earlier in the year, he’d be showered with hype from fans and analysts across the country. For whatever reason, he’s simply a low-key kid who keeps to himself.
Kentucky has been a constant recruiter of his, but there hasn’t really been any positive buzz in the Wildcats’ direction. Like I said, he’s not a talker. Most recruiting pundits assume he’ll end up on the west coast, either at his hometown Washington Huskies, or following in his older brother’s footsteps at San Diego State; although those who’ve predicted one way or another admit they can’t get a definitive read on things.
However, in the past few days, momentum in this recruitment has shifted a bit, and in a positive direction for Kentucky. Some connected recruiting people on the West Coast have begun to hint at McDaniels to UK over the past week and there’s surging confidence among the Kentucky staff that McDaniels may very well end up in Blue and White. And a source who knows Kentucky basketball recruiting as well as anyone, Jack Pilgrim from Kentucky Sports Radio, had some recent comments that reflected a smilar senitment:
"There seems to be growing confidence on Kentucky’s side of things that they have done enough to pull this off. He has always liked UK, even calling the program his “dream school” at one point, but his tendency to shy away from the spotlight have made most recruiting analysts feel that he would ultimately stay out west. While I still think Washington is a strong contender and certainly shouldn’t be counted out, this is the first time in several weeks that I have felt Kentucky might actually win out in the end."
May 15th is the deadline, but who knows if McDaniels will decide by then. I assume he will but nothing is for sure in this recruitment.