Rivals has released its 2008 rankings, and contrary to my previous rantings, a couple of Kentucky kids figure prominently.
Scotty Hopson, a 6-foot-5, 185 pound wing forward, has risen to the lofty spot of #10 overall (#1 small forward) after a superb summer AAU session.
He currently lists just north of 10 schools, and Kentucky has offered a scholarship, I believe.
Darius Miller, a smooth 6'6" slasher with a defensive style from Mason County in Maysville, comes in at #37, which at this early stage is significant.
Miller has an offer from Coach Smith & Co. as well, but as if to reiterate the post from earlier in re: negativity/recruiting, he has said he will hold off on accepting to see if Tubby's future is in doubt in Blue and White.
It's no small feat to get some top basketball recruits homegrown; as a user noted in a diary here, this isn't a normal thing lately. Kentucky has been almost barren of top-50 recruits the past few years, and it makes recruiting all the more difficult.
Here's hoping that trend changes for the better ...
Other notables
- At the top of the class is Greg Monroe, a talented, rangy, athletic lefty forward (sound familiar?). He has been on UK's radar for some time, and should get plenty of love from the Big Blue recruiters.
- Nasir Robinson, a 6'5" athletic forward from Pennsylvania, has HIGH interest from UK. He's not been offered yet, according to Rivals, but has lots of other interest from ACC and Big east schools.
- Marcus Morris, one of the twin Morris bros. in the 08 class (Markeiff is listed at #93), is a skilled 6'8" power forward with mostly Philadelphia and East Coast schools interested.
- Drew Gordon (6'0" PG) and Marshall Moses (6'6" PF) are also top Kentucky targets.