Guest columnist HoozGotNext drops in on Wahoos247 to drop some UVa basketball recruiting notes.
– A pair of 2018 targets were removed from the board over the past week. Brandon Slatercommitted to Villanova, while Immanuel Quickley removed the Hoos from consideration. Slater was once thought to be a prime UVa target, but we seemed to lose traction and really weren’t even in consideration by the end. As for Quickley, I really respect the way he’s handled his recruitment. Trimming schools is actually a show of respect to the coaches by not letting them waste time continuing to recruit him. Landing him was always a long shot for the Hoos, but I think he did truly appreciate the culture and family atmosphere of the program.
– We have two visitors this week. Point guard Jaelin Llewellyn was on grounds Monday. I’m told that was a relationship building visit. Big man David McCormack will reportedly visit later in the week, exact day unknown. Getting David there now, as opposed to what would have been a cheapened visit around Top 100 camp, is significant.
– Virginia has offered only two players in the 2020 class, forward Isaiah Todd and guard Jeremy Roach. Any other offers you may have seen reported aren’t accurate.
– Virginia is pursuing Mount St. Mary’s transfer guard Miles Wilson. He’s scheduled to visit Miami beginning tomorrow. Auburn and VA Tech are also involved. I really don’t know anything more than those basic facts. Wilson would need to sit one year, then have three years of eligibility remaining.
– Devon Dotson intends to trim his list soon to a final 7 or 8. We’ll probably make it, but have a hill to climb before becoming a serious competitor.
– Based on what I’m hearing, the UVa staff loves Jaelin Llewellyn. There’s some question of whether he would be ready for a large role as a freshman, but he’s about the right stuff and his long term potential is enormous. He seems determined to stick to his time table though. Expect him to gobble up many more offers through July before things get serious. For Virginia’s purposes, that time table works perfectly due to the next player mentioned.
– Jahvon Quinerly recently took an unofficial visit to one of his finalists, UCLA. He’s also expected to see Arizona in the near future. While there’s always hope for anyone who gets a visit, this one likely still comes down to Virginia and Villanova. He’s expected at Top 100 camp, and will presumably meet with the UVa staff while there. Jay Wright, no doubt, is working to get a visit of his own. No matter when a final decision comes, our coaches will have a good feel for where they stand within the next month or two.
– Noah Locke picked up a big new offer yesterday from Maryland. There’s always an interesting dynamic when local schools offer a little late. It could be something Noah has long waited for, or seen as a slight that it didn’t occur sooner. Only time will tell. He’s mentioned plans to visit UVa, but hasn’t yet set a date.
– There’s been some credible chatter that Virginia may be in better position with David McCormack than is perceived. Often coaches are criticized for waiting too long to offer, but it can work to their benefit when done in an honest manner. I think that’s been the case here. The motivation of receiving a Wahoo offer may have even helped fuel David’s physique change. Now, none of this means he’ll end up at Virginia. Our chances are as good as anyone’s though, including Duke.