It was never more evident than at the Nike Peach Jam this week, that one of the top targets in the 2012 recruiting class for the Kentucky men’s basketball coaching staff is Oakland, California native and Findlay Prep senior Brandon Ashley. UK head coach John Calipari was a very interested attendee at every one of Ashley’s games in North Augusta, South Carolina. And Ashley did not disappoint.
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Ashley took his Oakland Soldiers AAU team to the semifinals of the Nike event, before bowing out to eventual champion BABC and 2013 UK target Nerlens Noel.
But to his credit, Ashley is not letting his cards show, as he was extremely vague about his plans as the recruiting process continues. And he didn’t let the pressure of playing in front of so many big time college coaches crack his poker face.
“I don’t really have an idea yet,” Ashley said, when asked if he had narrowed his choices. “I can’t really say if there are any schools that are ahead of any others. After Peach Jam, I just want to sit down and really think about who’s recruiting me the hardest and where I really want to go. I’m just going to look at whose been recruiting me the hardest, who has really been there for me since day one, who’s not coming after me just because my name is starting to get bigger, and where I think I can really go and have an immediate impact and fit in.”
Ashley reiterated that he would sit down directly after the Peach Jam event, and start thinking about his choices, and that distance would not be a factor. But he did say that one geographical area had a bit of an advantage. “A lot of the Pac-10 schools have been on me since the eighth grade, or my freshman year…so yeah, Pac-10 schools probably might have a little bit of an advantage. But at the same time, I’m just going wherever I feel like I can fit in and become a better player.”
Where does that put the Wildcats? “They were on me early,” Ashley said, “then they kind of dropped off, and now they picked everything back up. I would probably consider them as one of the schools that have been on me for quite a long time.”
The 6-foot-9, five-star rated Ashley is considered to be one of the top five power forwards in the 2012 class, but he told anyone who would listen last week, that he wants to be more of a swing/combo forward in college.
“I definitely feel like I’m a combo forward. I really want to become a three, and be that Carmelo Anthony type of player. Somebody that is big and can easily take you down to the low post and post you up, but at the same time can show you the outside game and annihilate you from out there as well.”
It doesn’t look like Ashley will make fans wait for a decision. “I’m thinking fall…,” Ashley said, when asked his time frame on a college choice, “probably the early signing period. I kind of want to get it over with as soon as possible. I plan on taking at least two or three of my visits. But I don’t really have an idea where yet.”
