Latest Recruiting Updates on Brandon Ingram
By John Bauman
Here are a few of the latest bits of news about the recruitment of Class of 2015 small forward Brandon Ingram from Kinston, North Carolina.
Star Class of 2015 small forward Brandon Ingram‘s deadline to make his college decision is drawing near. Ingram has said that he expects to make his college decision by the end of the month of April, per the Daily Tar Heel and other sources.
First of all, if you don’t think anyone is paying attention to this recruiting battle, you are wrong. Check out this Google Trends chart.
Ingram still has six recruits in the mix — Duke, Kentucky, Kansas, North Carolina, UCLA and NC State, per Adam Rowe. Ingram is expected to have in home visits will all six of those schools over the next few days. Here is the schedule for his in-home visits…
Brandon Ingram in-home visit w/ Kansas this afternoon. Duke and Kentucky were yesterday. NCSU Monday & UNC Wednesday http://t.co/2Bp0ML6in8
— Adam Rowe? (@AdamRoweTDD) April 18, 2015
The crucial point there for UNC is that the Tar Heels will get to talk to him last, on Wednesday night, per Adam Rowe. This is a good sign for the Tar Heels’ chances to sign the star small forward out of Kinston, North Carolina.
Evan Daniels confirmed that scheduling in his tweet yesterday…
Five-star Brandon Ingram told Scout he met with Duke & Kansas yesterday. UK today. Has N.C. State on Monday & UNC on Wednesday. UCLA is TBD.
— Evan Daniels (@EvanDaniels) April 18, 2015
It is tough to make predictions about the order of Ingram’s final six schools. Paul Biancardi believes that Ingram will stay in state…
I think he leans to stay in state. #Duke #UNC #NCState “@MartyGotWings: @PaulBiancardi where do you think Brandon Ingram ends up going ?”
— Paul Biancardi (@PaulBiancardi) April 18, 2015
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but it is really hard to tell. My best guess, based solely off of my own opinions, for Ingram’s top 3 are Kentucky, Duke and North Carolina. Kentucky will always be in play due to the allure of playing for Kentucky and Calipari, plus it could be a great jumping off point for a one and done season. At Duke, Ingram could be the star, and at UNC, Ingram could start and go play for a National Championship contender.
Our very own Zack Pearson talked to Brandon Ingram at the McDonalds All-American game, where he talked about the influence of Reggie Bullock and Jerry Stackhouse on his recruiting decision. From Pearson’s Ingram article…
"While Ingram grew up a Duke fan, he does have a tie with the Tar Heels as the high school he attends is home to former Tar Heels in Jerry Stackhouse and Reggie Bullock. “They would love for me to go there,” said Ingram. “They don’t pressure me at all. Reggie tells me wherever I go he will support me 100% and Jerry tells me the same thing.”"
Ingram also said that having veteran players returning to school, like UNC offers, is a plus. Again, from Pearson’s Ingram article
"“I think that’s a plus,” Ingram said. “The veteran guys coming back and have been through everything and seen everything, they know what to expect. I think that is a plus for any program that brings back veterans.”"
Tar Heel fans are waiting anxiously for Brandon Ingram’s decision. Stay tuned for more information about how Wednesday’s in home visit with Roy Williams goes.