The ‘Marcus Thornton Effect?’ Top prospect has UGA, Georgia Tech and Wake Forest as favorites, says coach
When the AJC’s Mr. Georgia Basketball (Westlake’s Marcus Thornton) picked UGA last week, Thornton said he hoped it would encourage Georgia’s other elite basketball prospects to consider playing for the Bulldogs.
Loading ...Shall we call it the “Marcus Thornton Effect?”
If anything, Thornton’s selection of UGA over perennial powerhouses such as Kentucky, Florida, Memphis and North Carolina caught the attention of a few of the state’s elite basketball players for 2011. Milton coach David Boyd said one of his three prized juniors, 6-foot-9 power forward Julian Royal, has UGA, Georgia Tech and Wake Forest as his favorites. Milton shooting guard Dai-Jon Parker is considering offers from UGA and Georgia Tech, among others, while point guard Shannon Scott has committed to Ohio State.
“Julian Royal’s recruiting has been very intense,” Boyd told the AJC. “I think his three favorites, and I’m not going to put them in any order, are Georgia, Wake Forest, and Georgia Tech.”
Royal has around 40 major-college offers. Why those three?
“With Georgia, I just think [Mark Fox] has done outstanding work there,” Boyd said. “They got Marcus Thornton, which really turned a lot of heads. That was very impressive. Georgia is an up-and-coming program and a state school.
“Georgia Tech is close to home, in the ACC, and they have sent a lot of guys to the NBA.
“Wake has always been a school highly interested in Julian, even with the coaching change.”
UGA, Wake Forest and Georgia Tech lead 40 schools for Royal (AJC)
Boyd said that Royal is also taking looks at Alabama, Virginia Tech, Clemson and Virginia. “He has not really made any decision [narrowing down schools yet]. He hasn’t given me a list. But those three — Georgia, Wake and Tech — are the three schools I keep hearing about the most during our conversations.”
When will Royal make his college decision? Before his senior season begins? “That’s a good question … I don’t know,” Boyd said. “I think it would take a lot of stress off Julian if he decided during the summer or fall. But that’s up to him.”
What about Parker? Parker will at least wait until after the summer to announce his college decision, according to his coach. Parker gave up a promising football career (11 major-college offers in football) to focus on basketball only as a senior. The 6-3 Parker will travel the country over the summer while playing for two AAU basketball teams. His offer sheet includes Georgia Tech, UGA, Ohio State, Auburn and Virginia.
Milton is a top contender for a mythical national championship in high school basketball for next year. The Eagles won the 2010 state championship in Georgia’s largest classification, defeating Thornton’s Westlake High.
Royal was the team’s leading scorer, averaging 18 points and 8 rebounds. He saved Milton’s season by making two free throws with no time on the clock in the controversial 52-51 win over Norcross in the playoff’s quarterfinals.
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87 comments Add your comment
TROTTINGHOME
May 27th, 2010
1:50 pm
Hugo check the 11:48 post and this part of the post… Besides all players are groomed to be starters or they play for an institution that is faking and lying…this is what I alluded to. Sorry i didn’t say “NO CoaCH RECRUITS A PLAYER TO COME OFF THE BENCH”
HugoStiglitz
May 27th, 2010
1:52 pm
KevinM, neither UGA or GT are in the top 25 and I would guess they arent anywhere close either. UGA has three 3 star recruits coming in so far. GT has one 4 star recruit coming in and thats it. They may both pick up another player or two. Kentucky is probably going to have the best recruiting class for a second year in a row.
TROTTINGHOME
May 27th, 2010
2:01 pm
tRUE bALLER yOU WROTE ABOUT 8 PARAGRAPHs. Only one good paragraph…IT starts with “Forgot to add…”
You basically questioned his ability and inability to play up to yours and others expectations. You questioned his toughness, which by the way is hating, even if it was slight. I’ve got to believe he honestly earned whatever oppurtunities he has…to bad you didn’t just stick to the one paragraph.
nickj0321
May 27th, 2010
2:24 pm
DawginLEx – SEC East and Loaded are oxymorons
spider
May 27th, 2010
2:31 pm
the only kid of the three that was smart was the SCOTT kid who chose ohio state
UGA is an easy sell using these goals
May 27th, 2010
3:00 pm
Fox can easily land now some of the state’s best three or four kids, year in and year out using this realistic approach.
Coach Fox will say:
2009-2010 was my first year to build a system where our kids could shine and enjoy major recognition, like Travis Leslie and in his You Tube slam dunk. We won some big games and two of our kids are going to be top draft picks next year. Step one has been achieved.
For 2010-2011 ……….we expect to win about 19-20 games and win maybe two deep in the SEC tourney and get our first NCAA bid on my watch. All of this will continue to add exciting exposure to our program, our system and to our star kids. Next year two of our kids will go high in the NBA draft. Step two will be achieved.
For 2011-2012 ………….we expect to compete for the SEC East, go very deep into the SEC tourney and end up around 22-9 and again go to the Big Dance and win two or three and possibly make the Sweet 16.
By your SECOND or THIRD year here at UGA, we will expect to compete for and win the SEC EAST and possibly the SEC, go very deep into the Big Dance. Now, if we achieve all of this, your NBA status will be assured. You will also earn a fine education if you graduate in Business, pre Law, pre Med, The Arts, Education, Vet Science, Biology or Botany, Environmental Science, and Agri business in order to FEED THE WORLD. The UGA education is unlimited.
This is CMF’s message and it will resonate with 3-4 kids every year that want to be close to home and all of the major USA TV networks will follow a resurgent UGA program and the local all star kids and the H Coach involved.
All CMF needs to do is get two or three great Georgia kids ever year and the rest will fall into place and he will be forever remembered by legions of $$$ UGA faithful. This is what every big time coach seeks ……………..immortality and of course, NCAA frequent visits.
Turnt_UP!
May 27th, 2010
3:14 pm
GT is still the better program if these kids are looking at staying in state. Let’s be real, Thornton would NOT have chosen UGA if the ACC transfer rule didn’t deem he would have to sit out a year if he went to GT. Wake me when UGA’s program is actually a factor. Or how about at least ranked?
Tech Man
May 27th, 2010
3:26 pm
Although I’m a Tech grad and fan I must admit the Dawgs are beginning to make strides in their basketball program. If they recruit all these kids from the Atlanta area they will be tough to beat. The thing they have going for them that Tech doesn’t is they have is a coach.
Let us be real
May 27th, 2010
3:29 pm
UGA grads ( the ones that really count ) desire to see UGA within another year or two to be in the Big Dance every year or two and end up around 22-10 every year. That is realistically where UGA fans hope to be. We have the money, the AD to make it happen, the COACH and the fabulous HS all star base to draw from.
We are not trying to by KY ( y’all own it and I saw The Baron often while at UGA ) nor are we trying to be a UT or Florida of four years ago. WE ARE simply trying to vastly elevate the overall BBall program and we can easily do that with the recruiting prescription posted above.
Give CMF one or two more years and UGA will be very respectable, capable of winning most of their games. All the rest will flow in that direction.
Time will tell and CMF is getting there and the experts all acknowledge that he can do it. Why bad mouth UGA? If we have yet another major college in state playing great BBall what is not to like?
Go Dogs.
AceDawg
May 27th, 2010
3:38 pm
Boyd was a strong coach in his days at Berkmar. I imagine these prospects are really solid the way he praises them. UGA should be able to excite recruits on the court this year, and I get the feeling that UGA fans will be turning up in bigger numbers and showing the recruits that they’d not only get coached well but also have a school excited to cheer them on. It is definitely a golden opportunity for the Dawgs, and regardless, yes Tech fans, there are certainly enough in state players to go around for both of us. Luckily, UGA seems capable of doing more with less.
TROTTINGHOME
May 27th, 2010
3:39 pm
TURNT_UP!, CAN YOU FIND ME THE QUOTE STATING …”IF I (THORTON) COULD ONLY PLAY MY FIRST YEAR AT TECH OR WAKE OR ANY ACC SCHOOL”…YOU KNOW HOW RUMORS ARE…THEY CAN’T BE SUBSTANTIATED…I KNOW YOU AND A FEW OTHERS ONLY DEAL WITH FACTS..” I’M COUNTING ON YOU NOW “.
AceDawg
May 27th, 2010
3:47 pm
Turnt_UP! – Fair enough that UGA needs to prove it on the court, but there is likely to be one, probably two, new starters on the court that will improve UGA’s team significantly next year. Their shortfall last year was offense, and Gerald Robinson and their JUCO transfer Sherrard Brantley are bonafide scorers (at least Robinson for sure). As we know, one or two basketball players can make a team twice as good. Every basketball starter is as important to the team as a quarterback in football.
CrackDaddy
May 27th, 2010
3:55 pm
Well it better kick in pretty soon. According to Rivals 2011 basketball recruit rankings, UGa is nowhere to be found. There are 3 SEC teams in the top 25, but not UGa. You can’t win without players (And if you look at UGa football, you might not be able to win with them.)
NewnanDawg
May 27th, 2010
3:56 pm
I find it a little annoying to read from virtually every Tech poster that he would have gone to Tech if it weren’t for the one year sit. And if I were Marcus Thornton or his coach I would be down right ticked off about it since they have both been quoted numerous times stating that potentially sitting out was not in any way a factor in his decision. So, I guess since he didn’t go to Tech, he is now only an average player and a liar according to Tech fans. I certainly hope none of you ever have or know well a sought after recruit and have to experience hearing all of this pathetic, envy driven dribble about him. Good luck to all of next years recruits wherever they go.
Go Dawgs!
nickj0321
May 27th, 2010
5:16 pm
Crackdaddy – nice post…funny stuff
tootrue
May 27th, 2010
5:21 pm
I think Coach fox is creating a monster in Athens. He can coach, and those that will stay in state will want ot play for him. He’s a class guy who can get you to the NBA
tootrue
May 27th, 2010
5:23 pm
Bottom line He didn’t go to Tech.
fight truth decay
May 27th, 2010
5:40 pm
Newnan Daug, you surely cannot expect the young man to tell dog fans that he really wanted to play at Tech but did not want to sit so he chose to be a dog.
BartBuzz
May 27th, 2010
6:30 pm
I have nothing against Marcus Thornton but the ACC is to basketball as the SEC is to football.
KevinM
May 27th, 2010
6:33 pm
I’m still wondering where all the excitement is when you’ve got UK, UT, Florida and South Carolina all in the Top 25 in recruiting for 2010.
Tell me what I am missing about the excitement in Athens.
Keeping kids to play in their home state should be part of the daily job. Apparently, this is considered a major feat.
Uga Who??????
May 27th, 2010
6:49 pm
Hahahahaha you guys crack me up. Your telling me that uga is a program on the rise? You have poor facilities, your surrounded by rednecks, and u are in a weak sec basketball league. Ohhhh yeah, was it not another acc championship again this year in hoops?
doo doo
May 27th, 2010
7:01 pm
hahahahahaha how bout you dogpoopers…yes there are those GT fans who would like to see a coaching change with the GT basketball program but just let Mark Richt drop a couple of games and you wussies with a (P) will be ready to start a riot on these blogs to run him off.
mdawg
May 27th, 2010
7:46 pm
ACC = america’s crybaby conderence
Monticello Dawg
May 27th, 2010
7:50 pm
Seems every basketball thread about UGA has some people mentioning Fox will bolt UGA. It is possible but not likely based on history. Sure, if Kansas or Duke or one or two powerhouse programs call, Fox would likely consider it, but he has everything he needs at UGA to win big. Here is my question: in the last 50 years, name a coach at UGA who left of his own accord for another job? Ron Polk returned to Miss State where he was a legend. Tubby Smith thought UGA was a better job than Ohio State, but could not resist UK. No one could blame him for that, though on second thought, he might have been better off staying. Using logic, that tells me coaches like being in Athens, and it will take some extraordinary circumstances for them to leave.
CrackDaddy
May 27th, 2010
9:28 pm
M..Dawg, the only problem is, is that BB draws a more sophisticated lot, and sophistication is not what UGa is all about.
Professor
May 27th, 2010
9:59 pm
tenn.dawg…….learn how to spell. My guess is you have never set foot on a college campus. Much less open a text book. Stay home and polish the wheels on your trailer.
mdawg
May 27th, 2010
11:18 pm
hey crackdaddy……. did you know that in the 12 sec schools, the hardest school to get into is vandy and UGA is the 2nd hardest……. but lest you know what you speak……
mdawg
May 27th, 2010
11:18 pm
Enter your comments here
gary
May 28th, 2010
5:01 am
Let us all face it,Coach Fox have drawn attention from of the top in state recruits, and landing GA Mr Basketball didn’t hurt things,if you are a true basketball fan ,whis him well ,know matter who and where you are from.
atlvol55
May 28th, 2010
9:19 am
While I think Fox will do a good job, I have to reiterate, Trae Golden (Tennessee signee) was the player of the year in Georgia, Thorton was the AJC’s. Thorton was rated by every recruiting service as about the 5th or 6th best prosepct in Georgia.
The article also forgot to mention Kevin Ware (5 star junior recruit committed to TN from Georgia)…
UGA will do well, but the SEC east is loaded with KY, TN, and Florida; not saying it can’t be done, but all of those schools have much bigger basketball fan bases and better facilities
DJ
May 28th, 2010
9:56 am
Mark Fox will be in Athens for another couple years. You rednecks don’t know how to appreciate him, and it will show over time. Plus, for the fool that said he “talked a couple NBA talent guys into coming back”, give me a break. If they were 1st rounders they would be gone. And the Thornton kid, by all accounts, is a great kid and a solid basketball player. But don’t be fooled by all the “powerhouses” that were recruiting him. Think about it, as has been pointed out, he was one of the few remaining unsigned players that had skills, and it was after all the “major” programs had defections for the NBA. But it is nice to see you Pug fans talk about basketball. Enjoy it until your next Ron Jirsa replaces Fox when he moves on to a real program. It’s just the way it is.
BigTimeTECHFan
May 28th, 2010
9:57 am
Maybe Tech can get Nolte from Milton, but I think he’s only a junior next year. He’s the Milton player I hope Tech gets, the others are good and would be fine but Nolte will be very nice ACC player.
TECHBBAL4EVER
May 28th, 2010
10:13 am
The only reason Thornton picked UGA is because he didn’t have to sit a year and was closer to home. He wanted the ACC, but would’ve had to sit a year if he went to Tech. So UGA got him by Default.
Flo-Ri-Duh!
May 28th, 2010
11:41 am
The real Marcus Thornton effect is more about not wanting to play for a one year coach. Hewitt will be one more year and done. Royal isn’t going to sign with Hewitt and Tech recruiting is DOA as long as Hewitt is around.
highschool fb player
May 29th, 2010
10:54 pm
i had classes with Marcus n he loved georgia tech basketball he didnt like the school but he liked the basketball not the school ppl getting robbed lol and all the lil nerds and the grad rates thats why he went to UGA lol its a funnier school real talk
sandyspringsjacket
May 31st, 2010
11:35 am
Fox had a losing season in year 1, some nice wins, but same old results. He has no track record and no valid evidence that he will be any better then the last 5 failures at THUGA BB. He is about the same level as Felton. Sign a bunch of 2-3 stars, a few upsets but close to the bottom in the SEC east every year. The luster will disappear with another losing season. Everyone knows BB is a losing proposition in the Athens Cow palace, fixing up that dump is like putting lipstick on a pig. THUGA BB is irrelevant and always will be.
es.gamesfreehub.com
April 26th, 2012
4:02 pm
The ‘Marcus Thornton Effect?’ Top prospect has UGA, Georgia Tech and Wake Forest as favorites, says coach | Prep Zone: High School Sports is a good article. I enjoyed reading this article. If you want, check out my website.