The recruitment of five-star power forward [autotag]G.G. Jackson[/autotag] might be nearing an end soon and while many believe it’s a blue blood battle between UNC and Duke, South Carolina appears to be making one final push.
After firing Frank Martin and hiring Lamont Paris, the head coach visited Jackson’s high school on Monday to meet with the prospect. Paris is hoping to leave a good enough impression that Jackson will still consider the Gamecocks with a potential decision looming. And according to The State.com, the visit went well despite Paris and his new staff playing from behind in this recruitment:
“It went really well,” outgoing Ridge View basketball coach Yerrick Stoneman said on SportsTalk Radio show with Phil Kornblut. “Coach Paris is an amazing person. I think he is going to be similar to coach (Shane) Beamer. And the community is going to get behind him, want to be around him just because of his personality…. They are a little behind and he knows he is really behind, but they are really working hard to build that relationship between the Jacksons and himself.”
The meeting was a good first step, Stoneman told The State, as Paris laid out his vision for the program and how Jackson could fit in it. Jackson’s mother couldn’t make the meeting because of work, and another meeting could follow.
South Carolina could get another visit if the NCAA allows it thanks to Paris being a new head coach. But would it be enough to sway his decision?
Right now, it’s believed to be a two-team race between the Tar Heels and Blue Devils heading into their Final Four showdown this weekend. And depending on who you ask, both teams are the favorites.
Buckle up, because this recruitment is coming down to the wire.
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