Nation’s No. 1 basketball recruit, Derrick Favors, counting down days to sign with Georgia Tech
Derrick Favors will make it official with Georgia Tech on April 15. Favors committed to Tech over UGA, Memphis, and N.C. State. (AJC)
Derrick Favors, who is ranked as the nation’s No. 1 basketball prospect by several recruiting services, said there’s no reason for Georgia Tech fans to worry over the next 10 days. Favors has been committed to the Yellow Jackets since January, and will officially sign the scholarship papers on April 15.
“There’s always rumors going around, but I’m 100-percent committed to Georgia Tech,” Favors told the AJC on Sunday night. “When I made my commitment, that was it. There haven’t been any reasons to change things. Georgia Tech hasn’t had a coaching change, and I’m real cool with the team, so I’m staying with them.”
The rumor mill for college basketball recruiting is at its peak. John Calipari was named Kentucky’s coach, and high-profile prospects committed or signed elswhere may follow him. If you recall, Calipari’s former school, Memphis, was a finalist for Favors, along with UGA and N.C. State. Georgia named Mark Fox as its new coach on Friday.
Both Favors and his high school coach, Michael Reddick, said they have not had any recent contact with UGA or other schools. Basketball recruiting is just like football recruiting. With the elite prospects, coaches from competing schools may call right up until the moment the papers are signed. Favors has yet to write his name anywhere on official documents.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if anyone tried to check into Derrick’s situation, that’s just the way recruiting works,” South Atlanta’s Reddick said. “But so far, nothing. Derrick is pretty much set on Georgia Tech. He wanted to be close to home, and Georgia Tech has been a favorite team of his since he was in the seventh grade. I don’t see anything changing.”
“We’re just about at the end of our long [recruiting] journey. We’re ready to hand over the reigns to Georgia Tech, and hopefully they will be able to push him to another level.”
The 6-foot-9 Favors is one of the most celebrated high school players in state history, and was honored as Parade Magazine’s 2009 National Player of the Year on Sunday. Favors also won MVP honors at last week’s McDonald’s All-America game, which also featured star-studded prospects DeMarcus Cousins and Xavier Henry. Favors said none of his McDonald’s peers really talked to him about recruiting. “They are more worried about which school they are going to go.”
Favors averaged 27.5 points and 13.3 rebounds as a senior, while leading South Atlanta to the Class AAA state championship. “I’ve always known and seen what Derrick can do,” Reddick said. “It’s great to see him get all the postseason recognition. It’s just something else to make you proud about Derrick. Georgia Tech is getting a good one.”
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36 comments Add your comment
Dawg1
April 6th, 2009
8:25 am
Favors is a ‘one and done’ guy. He has all but said that. He’s a better fit for Tech. They have a very strong recruiting class coming in where the rest of the guys seem more committed to go to school at least for two or three years.
This kid isn’t going anywhere that ties playing time to classroom attendance. He’s there to play baskeball.
Personally believe that Fox is a great hire. But I am concerned with folks like “Georgia #1″.
Let’s deal with the truth.
* CDF rebuilt the basketball program and made it a ’student first’ and athlete second program. This was job one when he came in. UGA basketball trailed only Vandy in APR in 2008.
* CDF lost a lot of talent from the state for that very reason and to be fair, because he has a reputaiton of being very tough.
* The result of that has meant a talent drain.
So CMF has to find a way of balancing a rigid academic policy, while bringing talent to UGA. It is known to be a very hard worker and a solid recruiter. He was given a six year contract for a reason folks. This is going to take time.
Richie
April 6th, 2009
8:25 am
Favors would be crazy to go to UGA with all the problems they have. He will most likely be a one and done player but I think Fox should at least try to make contact with him. Everybody is fair game until they sign. It will be interesting to see what Fox can do in the next few weeks.
jw
April 6th, 2009
8:24 am
With our current coach why would he want to stay more than one year. We have more talent than than most ACC teams but look at our record. At least GA has tried to fix their problem, when will we face the facts and fix ours.
Wondering
April 6th, 2009
8:02 am
It doesn’t matter much where these super talents end up. It’s just a one-year commitment because the rules dictate it. Favors will play one year at Tech and go pro.
Dawgs97
April 6th, 2009
7:56 am
Some Tech fans have at least been honest enough to have admitted that Paul Hewitt has the program running in circles and is on the hot seat. If Hewitt gets to the Sweet 16 next year with Favors leading the way, he’ll secure his job another few years. But there’s pressure on your coach to succeed in a strong way next year with Favors on board.
As for our new coach, Mark Fox, we’ll just have to wait n see. Sepculation is pointless when the guy hasn’t coached a game yet. Do I think Fox was Evans’ 1st choice? No way, but he’s our coach, he is excited about the opportunity that exists in Athens and Tubby Smith proved you can come in right away and win.
I’d rather be in Georgia’s spot longer term because I think our coach looks like an up and comer with massive success in his previous stop and a fantastic recruiting reputation. Hewitt is hanging by a thread and some Tech fans I’ve talked with wish he was already gone.
That being said, Tech will unquestionably be better next year that we will, but that’s next year. What happens after that now that Georgia, UK, and Bama have all improved themselves signifigantly with new hires competing with Tech for the south’s top players. And Favors, if as good as advertised, is likely a one-and-done.
As for Mark Fox calling him? No, he’s 100% committed to Tech at this point and he should go after the best recruits he can that are available and uncomitted. Had favors made any statements that he was intrigued by the new hires at UK and UGA, that’s when Calipari and Fox make those calls.
Matt
April 6th, 2009
7:17 am
“Bottom line while Tech’s program is in a shambles, UGAg’s is in a far worse shambles.”
Hey John, Tech’s top five recruiting class called about that whole shambles thing.
John
April 6th, 2009
5:46 am
Bottom line while Tech’s program is in a shambles, UGAg’s is in a far worse shambles. Favors would be wise to stick to his committment.
Even though he is 99% likely to be a one and done player at Tech.
Think Smarter
April 6th, 2009
12:03 am
Fox is probably focusing on recruits he has a higher chance of getting rather than a firmly committed guy.
Bama Dawg
April 5th, 2009
11:32 pm
Georgia #1 and Bob,
Great attitude. How the hell do you know what Fox is doing and/or thinking? Oh, I forgot he has to get your permission to run the program. Maybe we should have just hired you two (probably a lot cheaper), since both of you obviously have more college coaching wins and NCAA tournament appearance.
Why not give the guy a chance before you lead the critisim? Maybe you should start fire mark fax . com right now, since I doubt he will win the national championship next year with the empty cupboard he inherited.
Just go cheer for Tech or someone else if you as so opposed to Fox and Evans.
Georgia #1
April 5th, 2009
11:13 pm
LET ME GET THIS RIGHT. Mark Fox is named as Georgia’s basketball coach. He has got the No. 1 player in the nation just down the road. We know he’s going to Georgia Tech, but Fox doesn’t even make a courtesy call? WTH? Great hire, Damon Evans.