Evan Daniels says UK getting Terrence Clarke will affect 2 other targets

While Kentucky looks poised to land five-star guard Terrence Clarke next week, it may prove costly with two other targets in 2020.

Clarke, who is currently ranked No. 3 overall in 2021 by 247 Sports composite, is making a push to reclassify into 2020 with Kentucky viewed as the significant leader.

But if/when that happens, it may take Kentucky out of the running for fellow five-star guards Joshua Christopher and Jalen Green.

In his weekly mailbag, 247 Sports analyst Evan Daniels said he thinks a commitment from Clarke could lead to Christopher and Green ending up elsewhere.

If Terrence Clarke lands at Kentucky, and I think they are the leader, and if he reclassifies, which is likely, then I think it would effectively end the Wildcats recruitments of Josh Christopher and Jalen Green. I know Green just scheduled an official visit date to Kentucky, but my guess is that would be canceled and the parties would go their separate ways.

Daniels added that Kentucky will still continue to recruit Cade Cunningham, but it’s best to assume he’s Oklahoma State-bound unless Kentucky makes a big impression during his official visit.

So, it looks like there’s a very real chance Kentucky doesn’t add another shooting guard/wing-type player if Clarke picks the Wildcats next week.

The good news is Kentucky does hold commitments from Brandon Boston and Cam’Ron Fletcher. But ideally, Kentucky can add one more guy in the backcourt unless they feel confident Immanuel Quickley and Johnny Juzang will be back for 2020-21. That would leave Kentucky with one of, if not the best backcourt in college basketball, and both Juzang Boston should be able to play the 4 in small-ball lineups.

Perhaps it shouldn’t be a surprise to see Kentucky fall out of the race for Christopher and Green if Clarke is a Wildcat. It would still sting, with Christopher, who’s ranked No. 10 by 247 Sports composite. Kentucky had been viewed as the favorite for him ever since he got offered by John Calipari.

As for Green, I’ve never felt good about Kentucky’s chances with him. There’s just been too much Memphis and overseas chatter for me to think he’ll rock Kentucky blue when he makes his decision on December 25th. Every national analyst believes he’ll pick Memphis, and the only real Kentucky buzz there’s been has been from Kentucky reporters.

While it may sting to lose another elite recruit to Memphis, Clarke may very well end up being the superior player. Daniels noted that, if Clarke reclassifies, he’d be in the 3-4 range and could be ahead of Green.

I will say that if Kentucky misses on Christopher and Green, then Jay Scrubb could become another backcourt target. He just included Kentucky in his top 10, despite little-to-no public interest from John Calipari. Perhaps there’s been a little more recruiting behind the scenes that helped keep Kentucky in consideration.

Be sure to read Daniels full post for thoughts on 2020 target Cade Cunningham and 2021 target Jonathan Kuminga.

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