W
Wes Mitchell
Guest
I mentioned last week the connection between new running back commitment MarShawn Lloyd and Hyattsville (Md.) Dematha four-star wing Earl Timberlake, a top basketball target for Frank Martin and Co. The two prospects are classmates and good friends and the South Carolina football and basketball staffs have been working in conjunction with each other to sell them on the idea of playing at the same school at the next level.
I also mentioned that it was likely a visit could be coming soon and I've confirmed that Timberlake has an official visit scheduled for June 6-8.
One interesting thing to note here is that there's a new rule in basketball recruiting that will allow prospects to take both a junior year official visit and a senior year official visit, should they need to. Because Timberlake will still be in school as of June 6, this will only count as his junior official, leaving an opportunity for Carolina to host him on a senior year official down the road.
South Carolina felt it was in great shape with Timberlake, even before the Lloyd commitment, and the thought was that Timberlake could help the school with Lloyd. Now that Lloyd is committed, that should only help the Gamecocks with Timberlake.
Timberlake, a 6-foot-5 lefty who is physical and a great fit for Frank Martin's playing style, has had a huge spring on the court and should only see his recruitment take off even more. The junior official should allow South Carolina to continue the momentum it has with Timberlake without burning it too early, which could have been the case under the old rules.
Bruce Shingler has done a great job here, using a long-standing relationship with Timberlake to put Carolina in great position. I think the big question here is will Carolina be able to hold that lead once bigger programs inevitably push harder for his services. But so far, so good for the Gamecocks and the top target.
Woodstock (Conn.) class of 2020 power forward Matt Cross is also scheduled to take his official visit during the same dates.
I also mentioned that it was likely a visit could be coming soon and I've confirmed that Timberlake has an official visit scheduled for June 6-8.
One interesting thing to note here is that there's a new rule in basketball recruiting that will allow prospects to take both a junior year official visit and a senior year official visit, should they need to. Because Timberlake will still be in school as of June 6, this will only count as his junior official, leaving an opportunity for Carolina to host him on a senior year official down the road.
South Carolina felt it was in great shape with Timberlake, even before the Lloyd commitment, and the thought was that Timberlake could help the school with Lloyd. Now that Lloyd is committed, that should only help the Gamecocks with Timberlake.
Timberlake, a 6-foot-5 lefty who is physical and a great fit for Frank Martin's playing style, has had a huge spring on the court and should only see his recruitment take off even more. The junior official should allow South Carolina to continue the momentum it has with Timberlake without burning it too early, which could have been the case under the old rules.
Bruce Shingler has done a great job here, using a long-standing relationship with Timberlake to put Carolina in great position. I think the big question here is will Carolina be able to hold that lead once bigger programs inevitably push harder for his services. But so far, so good for the Gamecocks and the top target.
Woodstock (Conn.) class of 2020 power forward Matt Cross is also scheduled to take his official visit during the same dates.
