Consensus top-15 2020 recruit Jaden Springer announced his final five schools which includes four NCAA Basketball programs from Southeastern U.S. and surprise Big 10 program.
5-star NCAA Basketball prospect Jaden Springer announced his final five college list on twitter late Monday night which included UNC, Michigan, Florida, Memphis, and Tennessee. Meaning that Wake Forest, Auburn, North Carolina State, Maryland, Villanova, Texas, and Kansas have been eliminated from his list.
Michigan is a surprise inclusion as the Wolverines weren’t on Springer’s radar when he released his first list in mid-May. But coach Juwan Howard has gone after some of the nation’s top talent since being tabbed as head coach and his cousin, Atlanta Hawks forward DeAndre Bembry, played under Wolverines’ assistant Phil Martelli at St. Joe’s.
The 6-4 shooting guard is physicality gifted and plays with a high-motor. Springer is at his best when attacking the rim although he possesses an elite mid-range game as well. He is also a good athlete who is capable of playing above the rim and guard multiple positions defensively.
All of the major recruiting services have given Springer high marks. He is ranked 11th in the nation by 247Sports, 12th by ESPN, 13 by Rivals and 14th by 247Sports.
The Charlotte (N.C.) native averaged 25 points and 10 caroms as a sophomore at Rocky River High as a sophomore and then spent last since at IMG Academy in Florida, where he led them to the national title in the GEICO High School Nationals last season. Springer tallied 12 points, seven assists and five rebounds in the final against No. 1 La Porte (Ind.) La Lumiere.
Springer has only made one official visit so far, and that was to Tennessee. He has yet to announce when he is going to make his decision. Here is a breakdown of each of his finalist.
The five finalists for Springer
Michigan Wolverines: The Wolverines have a commitment from the 2020 class in point guard Zeb Jackson and are projected to have three more scholarships available next year. And that is if they don’t use the two scholarships that they still have available this year on undergrad players. UM is in the mix for several top 2020 prospects: Walker Kessler, Nimari Burnett, Joshua Christopher, Hunter Dickinson, and Jabri Abdur-Rahim. The Wolverines could most certainly use some wing help.
UNC Tar Heels: The Tar Heels also have a commitment from 2020 class forward Dayron “Day’ Ron” Sharpe. Meaning that the Tar Heels will have at least three more scholarships available for next year, it is also possible that incoming freshmen Cole Anthony and Armando Bacot will move onto the NBA after one season. UNC definitely could use help on the wing with Brandon Robinson, Christian Keeling and Justin Piece out of eligibility following this season. Five-star Caleb Love, Bryce Thompson, Cade Cunningham, Ziare Williams, Isaiah Todd, Greg Brown III, and Kessler are among the players that the Heels are in the mix for. Earl Timberlake Jr., Cam’Ron Fletcher, Dawson Garcia, and Dickinson are also players of interest.
Tennessee Volunteers: The Volunteers have a commitment from next year’s class in Corey Walker, leaving the Vols with two scholarships. UT is not desperate for a wing, but they have made Springer a priority. The Vols have a total of 17 offers and are also in the mix for four-star Keon Johnson, Matthew Murrell, Samson Ruzhentsev, and PJ Hall.
Other contenders for Springer
Florida Gators: The Gators have three scholarships to use in 2020 and could have a few more if Andrew Nembhard and Noah Locke decides to test the NBA waters again. UF is in the mix for 5-star Cameron Thomas as well as Moses Moody, BJ Boston and Hall among others.
Memphis Tigers: Penny Hardaway has done a fantastic job on the recruiting trail since taking over the program last year, earning the No. 1 class in 2019. The Tigers, like the Gators, do not have a commitment from a 2020 class member yet. Memphis is projected to have just two scholarships available. Memphis is favored to win the services of Jalen Green and is also in the mix for Cunningham and Murrell.
Prediction: I believe Springer’s decision will ultimately come down between UNC and Michigan with Carolina having a slight advantage right now. I think Florida is a distant third followed by Memphis and Tennessee. However, if the Tigers aren’t able to secure a commitment from Green that could give them a boost.
Other recruiting tidbits:
- 2021 small forward Gabe Dorsey (Baltimore, MD) received an offer from VCU on July 9. The 6-5 wing, who currently plays for The Hill School in Pottstown (PA), currently holds eight offers with seven coming from the Mid-Atlantic — including Georgetown and La Salle — with the lone exception being UMass.
- Four-star 2020 recruit Jabri Abdur-Rahim is expected to choose between Michigan and Virginia today. I believe that UM will win out in this one.
- 2020 four-star Cam’Ron Fletcher (Saint Louis, MO) has received several offers recently with Oregon being the latest to make an overture on July 9. Kansas, Kentucky, UCLA, UNC, and West Virginia also got involved not that long ago.
- Grad transfer Jahshire Hackett has decided to reopen his recruitment. He had committed to Montana for the upcoming season after graduating from BYU.
- Top-60 2020 prospect Cliff Omoruyi received an offer from Louisville on July 9 and is reportedly trying to set up a visit. He also holds offers from Arizona, Kentucky, Maryland, among others.
- Rising top-50 junior Kennedy Chandler recently picked up an offer from Mississippi State. He already had picked up over 10 high major offers this spring. Syracuse, Texas, Arizona, and Michigan have also expressed interest.