Tag: uga basketball recruiting

Four-star center commits to the Georgia Bulldogs

Four-star center prospect Kareem Stagg has committed to UGA

Four-star center Kareem Stagg has committed to the Georgia Bulldogs basketball program. Stagg is a member of the class of 2025.

The 6-foot-8, 220-pound center plays high school basketball for IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. Stagg is ranked as the No. 72 recruit in the country. The IMG Academy standout is the No. 8 center in the nation and the No. 15 prospect in Florida, per 247Sports.

Stagg committed to Georgia over Michigan, Oklahoma State and Houston. Head coach Mike White and Georgia have the No. 13 basketball recruiting class in the 2025 cycle.

Georgia has a pair of 2025 commitments in Stagg and four-star shooting forward Jacob Wilkins, who is the son of Dominique Wilkins. Stagg brings size, athleticism and skill to Georgia’s recruiting class.

The four-star announced his commitment to UGA basketball via social media.

Georgia basketball is trending upwards entering the 2024-2025 season.

Twitter reacts: Georgia basketball lands commitment from 4-star PF

Dylan James is the No. 98 recruit in the class of 2023

The Georgia Bulldogs have added a second basketball commitment in the class of 2023. First year head coach Mike White and Georgia have the No. 27 recruiting class in the country per 247Sports.

Four-star power forward Dylan James is a good defender and rebounder. James plays high school basketball for Winter Haven High School in Winter Haven, Florida.

The 6-foot-8, 195-pound power forward is the No. 98 recruit in the class of 2023. James is ranked as the No. 18 power forward and the No. 8 recruit in Florida.

Winter Haven’s Dylan James has committed to the Georgia Bulldogs. Ernst Peters/The Lakeland Ledger

Georgia basketball’s other class of 2023 commit is four-star shooting forward Mari Jordan.

Here’s how Georgia basketball Twitter reacted to James’ commitment to the Bulldogs:

Syracuse C Frank Anselem transfers to Georgia basketball

Former three-star center recruit Frank Anselem has transferred to Georgia.

Former three-star center recruit Frank Anselem has transferred to Georgia. Anselem played two college basketball seasons with Syracuse.

The 6-foot-10-inch, 220-pound big man was born in Lagos, Nigeria. Anselem appeared in 32 games during last season with Syracuse.

Anselem, a Georgia native, attended Prolific Prep in Napa, California. He additionally played with Westlake and Lincoln Academy in Georgia during his high school career.

Former Syracuse Orange center Frank Anselem gives Mike White and Georgia some much needed size. Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

Frank Anselem averaged 14.2 minutes per game last season for the Orange. He averaged 2.6 points and 3.8 points per game in 2021-2022. Anselem had an impressive game against Florida State in the ACC Tournament and will look for more playing time in Athens.

Anselem announced his commitment to Georgia via Twitter. He committed to the Georgia Bulldogs over Georgetown.

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5-star PF Michael Foster makes commitment

Georgia and FSU were in the top 3 schools for 5-star power forward Michael Foster. Instead, Foster committed to playing in the NBA G League

The Georgia Bulldogs were in the top three schools for five-star power forward Michael Foster. However, Foster committed to playing in the NBA G League as expected. Foster is a member of the class of 2021 and is 6 feet, 9 inches tall. The Hillcrest Prep (Phoenix, Arizona) star weighs 220 pounds.

Foster is a good at rebounding, is a viable rim protector, and shows touch when finishing inside the paint. The five-star power forward is a good passer and capable shooter as well.

In addition to Georgia, Foster was considering the Florida State Seminoles.

Foster is ranked No. 14 in his recruit class and No. 5 among power forwards. He was one of the top remaining uncommitted prospects in the nation.

Head coach Tom Crean and the Georgia Bulldogs have the 67th-ranked class of 2021, so Georgia needs to add more talented recruits. The Dawgs have lost several key players to the NCAA transfer portal. Fortunately, Georgia has added some transfers.

On the other hand, Florida State has the No. 5 recruiting class in college basketball.

Foster will be fun to watch in the NBA G League, but far more fans watch college basketball. Casual fans will not think of NBA G League stars until NBA draft rolls around. Take a look at some of Michael Foster’s highlights here:

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Georgia basketball in top three for 5-star PF Michael Foster

The Georgia Bulldogs are in the top three for five-star power forward Michael Foster

The Georgia Bulldogs are in the top three for five-star power forward Michael Foster. Foster is a member of the class of 2021 and is 6-foot-9.

The Hillcrest Prep (Phoenix, Arizona) star weighs 220 pounds. Michael Foster is a good at rebounding, is a viable rim protector, and has touch when finishing inside the paint. The five-star power forward is a good passer and capable shooter as well.

In addition to Georgia, Foster is considering the Florida State Seminoles and playing in the NBA G League. He’s projected to play professional basketball (NBA G League) at the moment.

Michael Foster is ranked as the No. 14 recruit in his class and the No. 5 power forward. He’s one of the top remaining uncommitted prospects in the nation.

Head coach Tom Crean and the Georgia Bulldogs have the No. 68 ranked class of 2021 at the moment, so Georgia needs to add talented recruit. On the other hand, Florida State has the No. 2 rated recruiting class in basketball.

Foster announced his top three contenders via his Twitter account:

Check out some of Michael Foster’s highlights right here:

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Former Georgia star Anthony Edwards struggles in Timberwolves loss

Former Georgia star Anthony Edwards did not have his best game against the Bucks.

After going viral earlier this week thanks to a massive dunk, which was followed with a hilarious postgame interview, former Georgia basketball star Anthony Edwards is beginning to look like he was worthy of being the first overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft.

Last night, though, in a loss to the Milwaukee Bucks, Edwards struggled. He shot just 3/13 (3/8 3PT) and had 4 turnovers while scoring just 9 points in 28 minutes. Minnesota would lose the game 139-112.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etrtycyQpfI

The Timberwolves rookie has had a solid first year, posting an average of 4.1 points per game, but he had his best showing to date last week against LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers. Versus Los Angeles, Edwards put up 28 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 blocks and 1 steal while shooting 5/10 from deep.

Anthony Edwards has impressive game against Lebron James and Lakers

Former Georgia basketball star Anthony Edwards goes for a career night against Lebron James and Lakers in their second career matchup.

Two No. 1 overall NBA Draft selections went at it Tuesday night in a very exciting matchup.  Lebron James and the Los Angeles Lakers got the best of former Georgia guard Anthony Edwards and his Minnesota Timberwolves, but not without a fight.

Edwards, who was selected first overall by the Timberwolves in the 2020 NBA Draft, put on a show against arguably the greatest basketball player to ever walk the planet, dropping a career-high 28 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 blocks and 1 steal.

Midway through the third quarter, tied up at 68 a piece, Edwards lined up James and cashed a three pointer right in his grill to put Minnesota up three.  You could see Edwards’ excitement oozing out of him after hitting a shot most kids can only dream of.

WATCH:

Lebron closed the gap and took care of business, winning by a score of 112-104.  He finished with 30 points, 13 rebounds and 7 assists on 65% shooting.

Edwards is playing very well so far, averaging 14.6 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.4 assists.  He still trails fellow rookie LaMelo Ball, who leads all rookies in points, rebounds and assists per game.  Edwards is currently second in rookie points per game, trailing Ball by just a mere .05 points.

Georgia’s Anthony Edwards goes No. 1 in latest 2020 NBA mock draft

Georgia basketball SG Anthony Edwards is projected to be selected first overall in the 2020 NBA Draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Star Georgia shooting guard Anthony Edwards declared for the NBA draft this past September, following an absolutely electric freshman year at UGA.

Edwards averaged 19.1 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.8 assists for the Dawgs during the 2019-2020 season.  He has been in the talks of being a top three pick in the draft this year, along with Memphis center James Wiseman and the Illawarra Hawks point guard LaMelo Ball.

In NBC’s final version of its 2020 NBA Mock Draft Edwards goes No. 1 overall to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

NBC’s Top 5:

  • 5. Cleveland Cavaliers: Obi Toppin (Dayton, PF)
  • 4. Chicago Bulls: Deni Avdija (Maccabi Tel Aviv, SG/SF)
  • 3. Charlotte Hornets: LaMelo Ball (Illawarra Hawks, PG/SG)
  • 2. Golden State Warriors: James Wiseman (Memphis, C)
  • 1. Minnesota Timberwolves: Anthony Edwards (Georgia, SG)

There isn’t quite a consensus on who is the best of these three but Edwards, Ball and Wiseman present the biggest upside in the draft.

Here’s what NBC’s Tyler Byrum and Chase Hughes had to say about Edwards going No. 1 over the other two prospects:

Despite all the momentum for LaMelo Ball to be the first pick, we are sticking with Edwards who presents a super high ceiling due to his explosive athleticism and makes a perfect fit within the core Minnesota is building around. Fit often doesn’t determine the first overall pick, but it may in a year like this with little separating the top three guys. Edwards could be an ideal complement to Karl-Anthony Towns and D’Angelo Russell as a slasher on the wing.

Edwards would fit in with Minnesota very well.  They have their stars in point guard D’Angelo Russell and center Karl Anthony Towns but could use some serious help at the shooting guard position.

Edwards would provide the Timberwolves with a great wing threat that could add a whole new aspect to their offensive scheme.

If Edwards is to go No.1, he will be the first Georgia Bulldog to ever do so.  The closest to that accomplishment are Kentavious Caldwell-Pope at the No. 8 pick in 2013 and Dominique Wilkins at the No. 3 pick in 1982.

The 2020 NBA Draft begins tonight at 7:00 P.M. ET on ESPN.

Anthony Edwards projected to go No. 3 in 2020 NBA mock draft

Georgia G Anthony Edwards is projected by Rookie Wire to go No. 3 overall in the 2020 NBA Draft to the Charlotte Hornets.

The 2019-20 NBA season came to a close this October as the Los Angeles Lakers were crowned champions of the world for a record tying 17th time.  With the end of last season here, now it’s time for teams to focus on the future and look towards the ever so close 2020 NBA Draft.

Starting just last week, team personnel have been allowed to visit potential draft prospects in their hometowns in order to make evaluations.

For the first time in seven years, the Georgia Bulldogs have a lottery pick in the mix.  Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who just won his first title with the Lakers, was selected 8th overall in 2013 by the Detroit Pistons.

Rookie Wire released their 2020 NBA Mock Draft 6.0 earlier this Thursday, giving great insight as to what teams are thinking based on their draft position and needs.

Of that list of 60 picks, Anthony Edwards is projected to go No. 3 overall to the Charlotte Hornets.

The list has two superstars in front of Edwards in the NBL’s LaMelo Ball going No. 1 to the Minnesota Timberwolves and Iowa State’s Tyrese Haliburton going No. 2 to the Golden State Warriors.

Here’s what Rookie Wire had to say about Edwards and the fit in Charlotte:

“The Charlotte Hornets need a bona fide star on their roster, and that kind of potential is exactly what Anthony Edwards offers.

The 19-year-old wing is someone whose teams have been built around him, boasting an absurdly high usage rate through AAU and college competition. But the Hornets can give him the keys to the team as their franchise alpha, riding with the highs and letting the lows be learning experiences for his development.

During his freshman year at Georgia, his scoring output increased as the season progressed. He scored extremely well within five feet of the rim, and he can be an above-average defender by virtue of his athleticism alone.”

Many experts see Edwards going No. 1 or No. 2 behind Ball but the fit does seem right in Charlotte.  They’ve had a lack in scoring for years, especially now that Kemba Walker is no longer with them.

Edwards averaged 19.1 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game in his one season at Georgia.

The 2020 Draft is scheduled for November 18th and will be aired live on ESPN.

Nations No. 1 PF, Georgia native Jabari Smith to announce commitment Friday

Jabari Smith of Tyrone, Georgia is set to make his college decision this Friday, choosing between UGA, Auburn, LSU, UNC and Georgia Tech.

5-star power forward Jabari Smith is set to commit between Georgia, Auburn, LSU, Georgia Tech and UNC on Friday, according to reports by TiptonEdits and later  confirmed by ESPN.

Smith is rated as the No. 1 power forward and the No. 1 recruit in the state of Georgia in the 2021 recruiting class, according to 247Sports.

Georgia basketball coach Tom Crean has experience in keeping star basketball players in-state and signing them to play for the Bulldogs.

Possible 2020 NBA No. 1 overall pick Anthony Edwards did just that for the Bulldogs last year when the Atlanta native signed with Georgia and was named SEC Freshman of the Year in his one season with the Bulldogs.

247Sports currently predicts Smith will sign with Auburn.

Check back here Friday for updates on Smith’s commitment.