Late Signing is almost here

Johnson fighting hard for recruits but
late start doesn't help

Dazon Ingram and Johnson visit but no word from Mr. Basktball

   

Nick King is leaving Memphis

    I think we need to be very realistic about the late signing period. Avery Johnson has already proved himself to be hard worker, but he's had little time for that to pay off. I'd be very satisfied if Avery could bring Dazon Ingram into the fold. Things got a little more complicated when John Calipari called Ingram earlier in the week. That tells me that someone on his "show me the money" recruiting list is seriously thinking about another school.

I've seen Dazon Ingram play three games. He is a great athlete, he's about 6-5, perhaps 6-6. He has a very slender frame but he  is packed with muscle. He has good quickness and speed. He is a quick jumper which is sometimes more important than how high a recruit can jump. He also can sky. The left hander has all the tools to be a great player, and he'll have the benefit of being competitive for a starting role now that Tarrant has fled the scene.

       

Brandon Austin - Carver Montgomery

Somehow our other two recruits seem to get lost in the shuffle. They are each very good players, and  could become terrific players. For the record Brandon Austin, Carver of Montgomery, is a 6-5 g/f who reminds me a lot of another Tide star. He's a Latrell Sprewell type. He runs the floor and can finish off players around the basket. Incidentally, all three players are better than three stars. Donta' Hall is now 6-11 and wore out everyone he played this season. He has a lot of upside when he gets to play against better players daily. He is from Luverne, Alabama which is a small AA team. Coach Johnson visited all three of these players earlier in the week. His first stop was Montgomery. He then traveled to Luverne, and ended up the road trip in Theodore.

A call from John Calipari likely has a duel purpose. First, he might actually have some interest in Ingram, but my bet it is to let Avery Johnson know who the 'big general' in the SEC coaches. Calipari is not above signing a prospect simply to deny someone else from getting his name on a LOI. I hope for Dazon's best interest someone is telling him that. I'll be concerned if Calipari and an assistant coach actually visit.

     

Pride of Luverne - Donta Hall

I've been told that both Hall and Austin text Ingram on a regular basis trying to get him to the Capstone. I also know that Grant told Ingram that his losing his job at Alabama should have little to do with his decision. That's a pretty classy thing for Grant to do in my opinion. If Ingram comes back the Tide has had a good year. Three position players who were all the top dogs at their position in Alabama last season. Alabama has also been linked with several transfers. That requires sitting out a year. One has a legitimate chance of getting a waive due to family health issues. None have publicly made statements about Alabama, but it is known that two of the three contacted Johnson to have a talk.

Dazon Ingram - Alabama's Mr. Basketball

Nick King, a Memphis transfer, has been offered by Alabama. He is a former top 100 recruit. He averaged 7.8 ppg, and around 4 rebounds.  He has yet to play up to his potential according  to Memphis news reports. He is 6-7 and around 240 He has visits set with Ole Miss and Arkansas. He has yet to select a date to visit Bama.

We may get a late period recruit. I think Johnson would like to sign someone to show how hard he is working. I also think we need to be realistic this late signing period. Let's hope Johnson and Pettway can persuade Ingram to come to Bama, and not wait for Kentucky to play games.