Cousins to Memphis; Is John Wall Next?

SI.com has the news and SLAM has the quotes and the N&O has it on Monday.

“Me and my family came to a decision after talking about it. We just thought it was the best place for me to be,” said Cousins this morning. “Everything about the school, the city, whole visit was impressive. I already liked Memphis, so the visit was just icing on the cake.”

“Winning a national championship, that’s my number-one goal [as a freshman next season],” stated Cousins. “Whatever Cal [Memphis head coach John Calipari] needs me to do, I’ll do it. However I have to fit in, I’m willing to do it.”

Expect Cousins, currently ranked second in the SLAM Fresh 50, to have a brief tenure at Memphis, as in one-and-done, if he plays up to his potential. A physical force in the paint, Cousins has a solid back-to-the-basket game, but is also capable of stepping out to hit mid-range jumpers consistently and put the ball on the floor well for a player of his size. In addition, he’s an excellent passer, both in the halfcourt and when making outlet passes to start the fast break, something Memphis excels at. If he commits himself to getting in tip-top shape and decides to dominate both ends of the glass, as well as providing a defensive presence at all times, his upside is as high as any player’s in the senior class.

Since he has all the tools to be an elite baller in the college game (and beyond), a motivator like Calipari and Memphis’ style of play should serve him well.

“He [Cal] just shoots straightforward with you,” said Cousins. “He’s a tough person, but also loves you and that’s what I was looking for.”

Now that Cousins is off of the Wolfpack’s radar the attention of many Wolfpack fans will turn to point guard phenom, John Wall.

Wall’s announcement could come at any time, but there has been whispering amongst college recruiting circles that the same Memphis Tigers who just landed DeMarcus Cousins may have emerged as a leader for Wall.

Just last week the N&O’s Luke DeCock wrote a fantastic article explaining how John Wall could be a success at NC State that would transcend whatever his on-the-court achievements. The article takes the form of letter to Wall and is something that you should definitely read if you have not.

It’s not like you could go wrong at either of those schools, but at N.C. State, you have a chance to do so much more.

You have a chance to make an impact that will last far beyond the one year you play there. You will be giving something back to the community where you were raised. And you will have a chance to play in the best league in the country, in front of all your friends and family.

[snip]

Perhaps more important, you’re only going to spend one year in college. At Memphis or Baylor, you will come and go like the wind. One plays in a mediocre conference, the other has a mediocre basketball history. N.C. State blows both away in both categories.

There’s a rich basketball tradition at N.C. State, but it needs a modern-day booster shot. Herb Sendek couldn’t do it, no matter how many times he went to the NCAA Tournament. You could, even if you stay for only a year.

As much as it helps N.C. State to have players like you (and Derrick Favors, who chose Georgia Tech) considering the Pack, if you actually played there you would raise the school’s profile among potential recruits who weren’t alive in 1983 and who don’t know Reynolds Coliseum from Reynolds Wrap.

That generation, your successors, would be thinking of you when they added N.C. State to their lists, creating a legacy that will last long after your first shoe deal expires.

Whatever you choose, there are no wrong answers. A wonderful basketball career stretches out before you. But it’s worth giving a second thought to staying home before you leave to head down that road.

Something that we have not yet covered in detail is the issue of Dwon Clifton and the potential ‘package deal’ for Wall. ESPN’s Outside the Lines recently ran a report on package deals that included a focus on Wall that can be seen by clicking here.

We expect the Wolfpack to probably sign two more players for next year’s recruting class – including at least one more post player. That player could be Australian, Jordan Vandenberg. Additionally, there is some speculation that State could move Julius Mays to a shooting guard position and still target a point guard in this upcoming class.

Missing on Derrick Favors and DeMarcus Cousins may mean that Coach Lowe’s biggest recruit next year may be Brandon Costner. Moving Costner back to the power forward position alongside Tracy Smith in the post could work well for both the Wolfpack and Costner’s development. This would allow State to free-up the point guard and wing positions for both the returning players as well as highly regarded recruits, Lorenzo Brown and Scott Wood. You can see the most recent comments and links that we have regarding Costner’s future plans by clicking here.