TCU Basketball Recruiting Update
TCU has secured one commitment from Adrick McKinney. McKinney is a junior college transfer from the state of Texas. Below are a few notes on the the uncommitted recruits that Jim Christian is seeking:
TCU Catches Break on Josh Richardson Recruiting
TCU has been recruiting the “3-star” SG heavily recently, and he recently made his official visit to talk with head coach Jim Christian and tour the campus. He made the trip with his parents and brother. His final recruiting visit was set to be at Providence, and his top three choices other than TCU is Georgia Tech, Missouri State, and Providence. Many who knew Richardson said that Missouri State was rising on that list, but MO State head coach Cuonzo Martin is now headed to the University of Tennessee to take the same position. Richardson had been recruited by Martin and had a great relationship with the coach.
Therefore the three other programs in which the great outside scorer was interested in have now had coaching changes. Georgia Tech fired its head coach Paul Hewitt, and Providence did the same to its head coach Keno Davis. Kuonzo Martin has now left Missouri State as well. The uncertainty surrounding these programs can only help Jim Christian and the Frogs. A decision should be made by Richardson within the next few weeks.
Ryan Rhoomes Visits TCU. No Word on His Thoughts
Ryan Rhoomes visited TCU last Friday, and he was toured around the campus and basketball facilities by head coach Jim Christian as well as several assistants. There has been no news on what Rhoomes thought of the visit to TCU. The New York native may still have issues with his grades and test scores, but TCU is the apparent front runner on his list. ESPN’s rumor database reported three weeks ago that Rhoomes may be very close to making a decision, and their feeling is that Rhoomes would choose the Horned Frogs. Hopefully Rhoomes will prove them right.
Update: Here is a clip from NBE Basketball report on Rhoomes current status:
“It went great,” said Muhammad [Rhoomes prep coach] of Rhoomes’ visit to TCU last weekend. “Yes, it’s the leader. With TCU early playing time is attractive to Rhoomes as the Mountain West program readies for their move to the BIG EAST. Rhoomes is also interested in the new situations with Providence.”
TCU and Anthony Hickey
TCU is in the running for Hopkinsville, KY native, Anthony Hickey. The 5’10 point guard is one of two point guards that TCU is recruiting. The other PG is New York native Shaquille Stokes. Hickey plays AAU for the Nashville Celtics and has accrued 10 offers overall. Most notably those offers come from TCU, Nebraska, Mississippi State, and Western Kentucky.
Hickey averaged 22.5 points and 6.5 steals per game in the Kentucky state tournament, and he has received peak interest late in this recruiting season. More offers may be on the way, so Christian has a tough task with Hickey. He must fight to command the attention of the Christian County (KY) star who is receiving a lot of attention these days. Hickey could serve as a backup point guard, and he is known for his hustle and work ethic.
Vashill Fernandez continues to make no news
The native of Jamaica narrowed down his college choices early in his recruiting process. He said early on that he will likely attend either TCU or East Carolina. Well after that and after Fernandez’s visit to a TCU game late in the season, there has been nothing but crickets and tumble weeds as far as new news goes.
Fernandez is a 6’11 center and would make more of an impact on the defensive end than offensive end early on in his career. TCU will need a defensive presence in the paint to make Big East guards and big men hesitant to throw up any shot in the lane. Hopefully news will be soon to come on Fernandez but little is known currently about his recruitment.