The Latest on Nate Britt Jr.
InsideMDSports: The latest on Nate Britt Jr.
After a busy stretch that included visits to Maryland, North Carolina and Arizona, the recruitment of Gonzaga (D.C.) junior point guard Nate Britt Jr. has seemingly cooled a bit. Gonzaga coach Steve Turner said Britt, the No. 4 point guard and No. 13 player overall in 247Sports’ 2013 rankings, doesn’t seem to be on the verge on a commitment and is focused on working out and preparing for the season.
“Not yet. I know he and his family are looking at a lot of things, but they haven’t mentioned anything like that to me,” Turner said.
While the Terps and Tar Heels are believed to be the primary contenders for his commitment, Britt continues to list Maryland, UNC, Arizona, Virginia, Georgetown and Villanova.
“I think he definitely wants to find a place where he can form a relationship with the coaching staff, and like with any player, he’d like the opportunity to play,” Turner said.
Britt received an offer from Carolina and visited Chapel Hill earlier this month. The Tar Heels already have a commitment from 6-foot Iowa guard Marcus Paige, a senior, but Turner said that’s unlikely to eliminate the Heels from contention.
“Certainly that’s something he knows, but he’s also seen coach [Roy Williams'] system and he knows he plays multiple guards,” Turner said.
Maryland’s staff, meantime, has been to Gonzaga several times since school started – not only to see Britt, but also to check out a few of his teammates on a talent-laden Purple Eagles squad.
“I think they’re doing a great job," Turner said. "I think they’re making a lot of inroads in the area and making it clear that they want [recruits] to stay home. I’ve been impressed with how after they got the job, they hit the ground running."
Maryland has been keeping tabs on Gonzaga forward Kris Jenkins, a close friend and teammate of Britt’s. At 6 feet 5, though, it remains to be seen if his size will preclude ACC-level scholarship offers. Gonzaga also has a sophomore and a pair of freshmen to keep in mind. Turner believes Jordan Abdur-Ra'oof, a 6-7 sophomore and the son of former Maryland football star -- and current M Club president -- Aziz Abdur-Ra'oof, has high-major potential.
He's also high on freshman guards Brian Crawford and Franklin Howard. Crawford is a 6-1 pass-first point guard, while Howard is a fast-growing 6-4 combo guard. All three play for travel program Team Takeover.
As for Britt, it’s unknown when he’ll make a decision, but he and his father have long maintained they don’t plan on an extended recruiting process, hence the frequent campus visits. It wouldn’t be surprising if he were to commit before the end of his junior season – or perhaps earlier – but things seem to be in a holding pattern for now.
Maryland’s other top guard prospects in the 2013 class, Houston twins Aaron Harrison and Andrew Harrison, are expected to visit College Park this fall. But their father, Aaron Harrison Sr., told InsideMDSports Wednesday that no visit has been scheduled yet.
Stay tuned ...
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