Recruits Set to Make Decisions as Spring Signing Period Begins

After barely catching our breath from one of the best NCAA Tournaments of all time, college basketball is on the move once again. The Spring Signing Period begins on April 14 and the top remaining unsigned high school recruits have narrowed their college choices down to a few.

Brandon Knight (PG, No. 1 Rivals, No. 4 ESPNU) is the best unsigned player in the class of 2010. He is announcing his decision and signing his Letter of Intent live on ESPNU’s “Signing Day Special” on April 14. All sources have Knight committing to Kentucky.

The reality of the situation is that coach John Calipari has a proven track record for producing NBA lottery point guards. Derrick Rose was the No. 1 pick in 2008, Tyreke Evans went No. 4 in 2009, and John Wall is the likely No. 1 pick in the 2010 draft.

As an elite point guard, what reason does Knight have to not choose Kentucky, especially since both Wall and fellow point guard Eric Bledsoe have declared for the draft?

Josh Selby (PG, No. 4 Rivals, No. 5 ESPNU) is most athletic point guard in the class. He showcased his skills by winning the Powerade Jam Fest slam-dunk contest at the McDonald’s All-American game. All sources have Selby committing to Kansas.

With the graduation of Sherron Collins, the Jayhawks have a point guard void to fill. Coach Bill Self has been pursuing Selby hard ever since he de-committed from Tennessee. Self has even lured the star onto campus twice. Selby plans to announce his decision on April 17 at the Jordan Brand Classic in New York.

Cory Joseph (PG, No. 7 Rivals, No. 16 ESPNU) is also a talented point guard in a loaded class. The Canadian played for Findlay Prep in Nevada, leading them to the National High School Invitational championship—the prep version of the NCAA Tournament.

Joseph also won the 3-point shooting contest at the McDonald’s All-American game. His smooth stroke will make one of five schools extremely happy—UNLV, Villanova, Texas, Connecticut, or Minnesota.

Although Joseph’s recruitment has been tight-lipped, there is talk that Villanova and Connecticut are leading the race for his services while UNLV is a dark horse. Villanova coach Jay Wright has strong interest in the guard because Joseph fits perfectly into the Wildcats’ guard-oriented system.

In addition, the loss of Scottie Reynolds creates the perfect opportunity for Joseph to step in and make an immediate impact.

Terrence Jones (PF, No. 13 Rivals, No. 9 ESPNU) is the most versatile and skilled forward in his class. He is 6 feet 9 inches tall but has the ball-handling and passing skills of a guard along with the ability to sink shots from outside the arc.

Jones has been quiet about where he is leaning but the whispers all season long have him either staying at home in Washington or leaving for Kentucky. Oregon is a sleeper pick due to the Nike connection but the lack of a coach does not inspire confidence or stability. Jones will announce on April 23 or April 30.

C.J. Leslie (PF, No. 14 Rivals, No. 11 ESPNU) is John Wall’s high school teammate, which makes Kentucky a front-runner for his services. However, North Carolina State, the school he de-committed from, is also heavily in the mix.