Prospect Commitment Prediction: David McCormack
Editors Note: These predictions are not based on any inside information provided by coaches, players of the family of the prospects. It is simply what is stated, a prediction by myself as to where I believe they may end up. Enjoy!
Predicted Commitment: Duke, Oklahoma State, Kansas
Dark Horse Candidates: NC State, Xavier, UCLA
I first saw McCormack as a freshman at Norfolk Academy and said “if that kid loses 40-60 pounds he’ll be one of the top bigs in the country.” He’s done so, and that has come true as he came in at #33 in the latest ESPN rankings. He recently cut his list to the six schools above, and while he hasn’t indicated much where he’s leaning toward, there’s a couple of reasons we believe the top three have the best chance.
Duke starts the list, and mostly because McCormack has took multiple unofficial visits this summer to them. Coach K is not one that many kids can say no to, and the fact that he’s been recruiting McCormack for multiple years, something he doesn’t do with most recruits, gives them an advantage, not to mention the name “Duke” carries so much weight in the commonwealth. Oklahoma State is the one many may look at a little odd, however their coaching staff has close ties to the Team Loaded organization, and new head coach Mike Boynton needs a big recruit to headline the program and has told McCormack he will be the guy they build the program around. You can never count out Kansas with Bill Self having been front and center at many Team Loaded games this summer specifically for McCormack. They seem to be climbing the list and asserting themselves as true contenders as well, with McCormack taking an unofficial visit last week and reporting that he had a great time while there.
McCormack’s change in his body shows his dedication and work ethic moving toward the next level.Looking at the rest, NC State is another program with a new head coach looking to build around McCormack, and despite the new coach they have been recruiting McCormack the longest of any of these schools and he has been on campus there more than anywhere else. Xavier has done a great job, having offered McCormack as a sophomore and staying on him, pushing the fact that they always make the tournament and love paint protectors. UCLA’s reemergence, mixed in with a change of scenery and great weather, means you can’t count them out either.
McCormack had a busy summer, taking a number of unofficial visits to schools on this list and not on this list. His cut came at a crucial time, and he didn’t hesitate as he’s already planned official visits to NC State this weekend and will go back to Kansas for their midnight madness event.
There doesn’t seem to be any way that he’s leaning, but I know all six of these schools are thrilled to have made the cut and will be pushing heavily for one of his five official visits.