You’ll note that SFN didn’t make a big deal about Brandon Ingram‘s recruitment during the last couple of years….and, well, we’re pretty happy that we didn’t.
Today’s topic of interest does NOT revolve around the Wolfpack losing Brandon Ingram to Duke, it involves potentially losing a brand new commitment to another school who wears blue.
As Scout.com is reporting here,
Shaun Kirk committed to North Carolina State on Monday.
But by Monday evening, John Calipari and Kentucky offered Kirk, a 6-foot-6 combo forward, a scholarship and that changed things, according to a source.
“He intends to explore that option,” the source told Scout.
Kirk, who is eligible to go to college this coming season, didn’t sign any paperwork after he committed to N.C. State.
A standout at Whiteville (N.C.) High, Kirk played this spring with Team Loaded. He’s impressed coaches with his elite athleticism and energy. Kirk is regarded as a three-star prospect on Scout.
Since Scout posted their article, this was filed from a Kentucky newspaper:
Shaun Kirk was on N.C. State’s campus Monday afternoon and couldn’t help himself. After a big showing in an AAU event in Indianapolis over the weekend, the 6-foot-7 small forward from Whiteville, N.C., had just gotten his highest-profile scholarship offer from the Wolfpack and he accepted it on the spot. I’m coming, he told them.
“But then here comes something bigger and better,” Whiteville High School coach Jerry Singleton said. “The timing couldn’t be worse, really. I wish he would’ve just thought a little bit more before he said that, and then it would be a lot easier for him today. Now he’s really torn.”
That’s because by the time Kirk go home Monday night, University of Kentucky coach John Calipari was calling to extend a scholarship offer. The Wildcats, who watched Kirk put on a show in Indianapolis, need a small forward in this recruiting class and the late interest might reflect their confidence (or lack thereof) in landing five-star prospect Jaylen Brown.
Kirk, a three-star recruit, is not a typical UK target. But this is an unusual class for the Cats after seven players declared for the NBA draft, and Kirk’s stock is on the rise after several strong performances on the AAU circuit. Singleton said West Virginia, Missouri, Marquette, Ole Miss, VCU and Rutgers have all shown interest recently. But Kentucky stands out.
“You say the grass ain’t always greener on the other side, but could it be?” Singletary said. “I think he’s very interested in what Kentucky has going on out there. He’s just overwhelmed a little bit, because when you talk to a person like Calipari on the phone, he was like, ‘Wow, Coach, I didn’t know this could happen.’ I love N.C. State, but when you go home and – from a business aspect – Kentucky calls you, I know what I would do.”
He said Kirk won’t take the decision lightly, though, and appreciates the value of sticking to his word. Singletary wants to speak directly to Calipari and hear how the Cats want to use him. Whether he changes his commitment or not, the coach is just happy his star is finally getting the attention he believes he’s deserved all along.
“Shaun’s not been on the radar like he should have been. But I guess good things come to those who wait,” the coach said. If he goes to UK, “they’re going to get a kid that can shoot it from the outside and is just an uncanny athlete. He can get up and get it, and he can finish it. He’s 6-7 ½ and he’s still growing. He’s a player that can come in and make a difference.
“He’s not all the way polished yet – I’ll be the first to say that – but he can play.”
Shaun wants to know how Kentucky is going to ‘use’ him? Really!? I can tell you how they are going to use him to ride the bench and serve as insurance to back up all of the 5 star and 4 star recruits they will bring in today and into the future.
There's a method to Calipari's madness. Shaun Kirk plays on the same AAU squad with top 2016 target Dennis Smith, Jr.
— Lil Joe B. Hall (@LilJoeBHall) April 28, 2015
Other than “The Greek”, 7-footer Georgios Papagiannis, I don’t think the coaches want to take anyone else in 2015. If we don’t get Kirk, they may have to alter that plan. Papagiannis is still considering St. Johns, Oregon and some others.
Current 2015-2016 NC State Basketball Program Configuration
Senior Class
—None—-
Junior Class
(1) Anthony Barber (PG)
(2) BeeJay Anya (4F/5C)
(3) Lennard Freeman (4F)
(4) Terry Henderson (Wing)
Sophomore Class
(5) Caleb Martin (wing)
(6) Cody Martin (wing)
(7) Abdul Malik Abu (PF)
Freshman Class (2015 Commits)
(8) Shaun Kirk (F) – weak verbal
(9)
(10
(11)
(12)
(13)
2016 Commits
—None—-
