Each Monday and Friday, College Basketball Talk’s Scott Phillips goes over some important news and notes in the world of college basketball recruiting. This week, Bruce Pearl getting it done at Auburn, Texas guard cuts his list to six and fast-rising Seattle native cuts his list to four.
Bruce Pearl is getting it done on the recruiting trail at Auburn
Bruce Pearl couldn’t begin recruiting as the head coach of Auburn until 12:01 a.m. on August 24th and when that time came he landed two quality commitments to go with a Friday night commitment of another four-star player.
After a big weekend, it’s clear that Pearl will be a force on the recruiting trail at Auburn.
Not only did the former Tennessee coach, fresh off a three-year NCAA show-cause, land a big weekend of three key 2015 recruits, but he’s landed impact transfers to quickly rebuild the talent base at Auburn.
And he’s getting it done because he’s charismatic and has a lot to sell at his new job.
With his television stint on ESPN, the newly-programmed SEC Network and an athletic department already in the national limelight from a national championship appearance in football, kids know Auburn as an option and Pearl’s selling points have made it an attractive spot.
With plenty of playing time and an uptempo system, prospects want to play in that kind of situation, and with Pearl’s previous track record, recruits are already impressed.
Now, the big question for the newly-free Pearl and Auburn: Can they land a high-level recruit? While a class of high-quality, top-100 players is a promising beginning for Auburn, to compete with Kentucky and Florida in the SEC, they’ll likely need some pro-level talent to enter the picture.
High school 2015 forwards Danjel Purifoy, Horace Spencer and junior college wing T.J. Dunans are good recruits for Pearl, but he has a long way to go before winning games on the floor at Auburn.
But he’s winning recruiting battles and that’s a great start.
Texas guard Admon Gilder cuts his list
During the summer, Texas guard Admon Gilder was one of my favorite players to watch on the grassroots circuit.
The 6-foot-3 guard from Dallas was tough on the defensive end and played well in the open floor during the month of July and now he’s down to six schools.
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A couple of years ago I was told I would never make it . I can truly say I'm blessed ! MY TOP 6 ! 😈🏀💯🙏✏️📖 #Blessed pic.twitter.com/vnnVFTh9jE
— Admon Gilder (@___a3g) August 21, 2014
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While in-state programs like Baylor, SMU, Texas and Texas A&M are in the picture, Gilder is also considering Kansas State and Oklahoma State.
Gilder is currently considered the No. 62 prospect in Rivals’ rankings.
Matisse Thybulle down to four schools
As an emerging wing player from the Pacific Northwest, Class of 2015 6-foot-6 Matisse Thybulle drew the interest of high-major programs from the west during the month of July.
A native of Seattle, Thybulle is now down to Cal, Gonzaga, Oregon and Washington, according to Scout.com’s Kim Grinolds.
Currently a three-star player, according to Rivals, Thybulle had a good July with Northwest XPress and has vaulted into some top-100 rankings.
