NCAA Basketball Recruiting: Top-60 recruit JT Thor down to Ok State and Auburn
JT Thor will soon no longer be one of the top uncommitted 2020 prospects.
Consensus 2020 top 60 recruit JT Thor once again pared his list down and is now considering just Oklahoma State along with Auburn. Thor is slated to announce his decision on April 12, according to Tipton Edits.
Thor reclassified to the class of 2020 from 2021 this past August. He then disclosed his final five schools in September and narrowed that list down to three in March. Even more recently, the 6-10 forward cut UCLA from consideration.
Thor is very athletic and lanky. Even though he seems most comfortable with the ball in his hands out on the perimeter, he is a little awkward trying to create space. The Anchorage (AK) native is a slasher who finishes well around the rim and possesses a nice shooting stroke from the perimeter as well. Thor, who does need to put on weight as he weighs just 195 pounds, is also a good passer and can defend anywhere the court.
The four-star prospect is ranked anywhere between No. 46-56 in the nation by the four primary recruiting services. ESPN has him rated the highest of the four at No. 46, and Rivals has the Norcross (GA) High School product the lowest at No. 56. Meanwhile, he is ranked 51st in the country by 247Sports Composite and 54th by 247Sports.
Where will Thor end up?
Oklahoma State: OSU coach Mike Boynton has long coveted Thor, according to Jacob Unruh of the Oklahoman. Thor took an official visit to Stillwater in September, and it was believed that he was going to sign with the Cowboys back in November.
“OSU is just like family to us, “Thor’s brother Jal told ZAGSBLOG.” We’ve built a long and very strong relationship with coach [Mike] Boynton. He’s been here through it all. JT and him are really good for one another. He’s really prioritized JT, and with all the seniors gone at OSU, it’s a very good opportunity for JT to showcase his skillset. To play both forward spots is huge for us. Then, obviously, having Cade [Cunningham] just makes the games easier. JT played with Cade at camp, and that’s kinda what initiated everything between them. They love one another’s game, and they complement each other, so it’s a great fit.”
Oklahoma St. is looking to find a replacement for leading scorer and rebounder Cameron McGriff. On the plus side, 6-10 starting forward Yor Anei is returning as is freshman Kalib Boone, who was very productive in limited minutes.
The Cowboys have one scholarship available. They already have the 10th-ranked class in 2020 with commitments from five-star combo guard Cade Cunningham and four-star shooting guard Rondel Walker among their five recruits. OSU is also in the mix for 6-5 combo guard Donovan Williams.
Auburn: The Tigers have been pursuing him hard the last month or so. Despite not taking an official visit to Auburn, Thor has been on campus twice to watch the Tigers play.
“They love their hoops, and it’s like a big family vibe,” Jal Thor said. “[Bruce] Pearl [has been] telling JT he can come in right away and help. They have nobody on their roster like him, a 6-foot-10 hybrid that can do it all.”
The Tigers are desperate to add to the frontcourt as they lost their top four players in Danjel Purifoy, Austin Wiley, Anfernee McLemore, and Isaac Okoro. Thus leaving Jaylin Williams, Babatunda Akingbola as well as incoming three-star forward Chris Moore.
Auburn has two open spots to fill for the upcoming season. The Tigers’ current class is ranked 19th by 247Sports with three players led by five-star point guard Sharife Cooper. They are in the mix for several other players, including Greg Brown, Jalen Green, Keondre Montgomery, Dylan Cardwell, and Austin Harvell.
Next. Biggest recruiting battles left in 2020 recruiting class. dark
Prediction: OSU is perceived to be the favorite for Thor’s services, and there has not been any indication that has changed, so I fully expect Thor to select the Cowboys.