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Elite senior guard Hunter Sallis sets a decision date
Memphis nabbed an early enrollee, and a top 50 junior guard is set to commit this week.
Commitments and signings from the class of 2021 have largely slowed to a trickle at this stage in the recruiting cycle, but Hunter Sallis, a 6-5 combo guard from Millard North (NE) remains one of the most intriguing prospects left on the big board. In recent days, Sallis announced he’ll commit on March 26.
Through 16 games, Sallis is putting up eye popping numbers for the top high school squad in Nebraska, and a team that could be knocking on the door for top 25 consideration nationally. According to MaxPreps, Sallis is posting 21 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists per game in an undefeated campaign so far.
Sallis is down to Kentucky, North Carolina, Gonzaga, Iowa State, Kansas, UCLA, Oregon, and Creighton.
Top 50 junior Isaac McKneely set to pop
Poca (WV) shooting guard Isaac McKneely, a 6-4 prospect from the 2022 class, will be ending his recruitment early. McKneely announced he’s ready to announce his college decision this Saturday, January 30.
McKneely currently comes in at No. 51 overall in the 247Sports composite rankings for the junior class, and previously set a recruitment list to include Kentucky, Illinois, West Virginia, Purdue, North Carolina, Louisville, Indiana, and Virginia. The Cavaliers could be the favorite to land McKneely, as they are the only program in the 247Sports crystal ball to land a pick (four total) for him.
Growing from 6-2, 150 pounds as a sophomore to 6-4, 185 pounds as a junior, McKneely still may have room to grow and fill out as a wing option at the high-major level.
Memphis adds early enrollee Jordan Nebsitt
The crazy, mixed up 2020-21 season has seen several high-profile men’s college basketball programs add talent at mid-season, which is unsurprising given the patchwork of high school basketball rules across the country.
Memphis got into the act in recent days, adding 6-6 wing Jordan Nesbitt of Saint Louis Christian Academy (MO), who previously signed with the Tigers in the early signing period over Illinois and Saint Louis. Nesbitt is eligible to play for the Tigers, though it’s unknown how much Memphis will put him to use.
Head coach Penny Hardaway described Nesbitt as a,"…tough, athletic, physical guard, and he plays with high energy and the right mindset." As a junior, Nesbitt put up 25 points and 12 rebounds per game.
Like all early enrollees, the partial season is essentially a “free” one for Nesbitt, as it won’t count against his NCAA eligibility.