Securing commitments from five-star basketball talent has practically become an annual tradition for the Oregon Ducks under coach Dana Altman, and the coaching staff is hoping it’s one that continues during the 2020 recruiting cycle.
For the past three years Oregon has landed a five-star talent in its recruiting class – C.J. Walker (2019), Bol Bol and Louis King (2018), Troy Brown Jr. (2017) – and will take a big step forward in continuing that streak this weekend.
Both Jalen Green, the nation’s No. 3 overall prospect and No. 1 combo guard, and Scottie Barnes, the nation’s No. 8 overall prospect and No. 3 small forward, are taking official visits to Eugene.
Green, a 6-foot-5, 170-pound guard out of Prolific Prep (Napa, California), recently shared his official visit schedule on Instagram, announcing scheduled official visits to Oregon, Auburn, Memphis and Kentucky, as well as an unofficial trip to USC.
Here’s what 247Sports basketball recruiting analyst Jerry Meyer had to say about the prep player he compares to Victor Oladipo: “Good length for a shooting guard who can handle. Plays with long strides. Needs to develop strength and put on some weight. Slasher with elusiveness and wiggle. Finishes above the rim and can make tough shots. A threat to score from deep as well. Effective going either direction, and has a nice pull-up jumper going left. Can distribute, but scoring is his forte. Potential to be a good defender and rebounder with his length, athleticism and motor. Projects as an NBA lottery pick."
According to Kentucky Sports Radio’s Jack Pilgrim, Oregon has emerged as a very real threat to land Green, and may even be the current favorite.
"“Outside of this Kentucky’s standing with the elite guard prospect, I continue to hear that the buzz surrounding Memphis and the fact that they are seen by national analysts as a lock isn’t true in the slightest,” he wrote. “In fact, I was told this afternoon that Oregon may now be the school to beat, with Kentucky and Memphis following close behind in that order.”
Barnes, a 6-foot-8, 210-pound prospect out of Montverde Academy (Montverde, Florida), has long been connected with Oregon, and the Ducks are again the rumored favorite.
Here’s what 247Sports had to say about him:
“Top-level athlete with tremendous length for a combo forward. Elite-level motor and competes at a top-of-the-charts level. Can defend any position on the court. Rebounds outside of his area. High-level passing ability. Extremely dangerous starting the break after a defensive rebound. Also, a lethal finisher. Scores very well off the dribble inside 15 feet. Has a lot of room to improve as a shooter. Projects as a one-and-done and possible top-five pick.”
Jalen Green highlights
Scottie Barnes highlights
-- Andrew Nemec