Marvin Bagley recruiting update: May reclassify into 2017 and join USC Trojans, per report

The Kentucky Wildcats have been viewed among the top favorites for Marvin Bagley III, but he may be leaning elsewhere now.

In fact, Bagley may not even be sticking to the Class of 2018, where he’s the No. 1 overall prospect in most major recruiting services (247 has him at No. 2 behind Zion Williamson, who UK is also in great shape with).

Now, it appears Bagley could reclassify into 2017 and be on a college campus next season. This rumor has been floated for a while now, though it’s never gained any real traction, not to mention Bagley himself has insisted he’s staying in the 2018 class and focusing on his senior season of high school hoops.

However, 247 Sports recruiting director Jerry Meyer reports that Bagley reclassifying into 2017 is a very real possibility. That would seemingly be great news for a UK team that has open scholarships and could use a player of his caliber next season.

Unfortunately, Bagley could be sticking to the west coast and playing for a California school next season.

An interesting note in Bagley's recruitment is some intel that has come to 247Sports of the possibility of him reclassifying up to the 2017 class. Bagley is scheduled to visit Duke and Coach K and staff have been doggedly tracking him. But the buzz is that hometown USC could be his desired destination as a potential 2017 recruit. Andy Enfield has been a familiar face at his games, but so have John Calipari and Sean Miller.

Meyer also adds that UK may not be in Bagley’s top two schools, saying, “Bagley's recruitment has the feel of a Duke and USC showdown.”

For what it’s worth, Rivals’ expert recruiters are currently split between UK, Duke and Arizona being the pick for Bagley. Meyer is one of the few recruiting experts picking USC for Bagley.

It’s also worth noting that a similar situation arose last year with Hamidou Diallo, who came out of nowhere and reclassified into the 2016 class as a mid-semester enrollee. Initially, UConn looked like the favorite to swoop in and steal Diallo, but UK was able to make a late push and secure his services.

Perhaps that’s playing out with Bagley. Who knows if John Calipari and UK were anticipating this, but now that it’s out there, he could make a stronger push to get Bagley for next season.

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