Examining Jaden McDaniels’ Quiet and Loud Recruitment
Washington has had its fair share of top flight recruits in the last 20 years and Jaden McDaniels fits that description in the 2019 class. It is possible that no prospect in the last couple decades has created more anxiousness for fans around the country the way that Jaden has. Number one, he is reluctant to talk about his recruitment to people outside of his small inner circle. Secondly, he is literally taking until the last moments to make his decision. He is one of only six players in the top 50 that remains uncommitted and one of two in the top 10. San Diego State, Kentucky, Washington, Texas and UCLA have been on his list of final five for the last couple months. Some recruits wait it out to see who enters the NBA draft and what other top high school prospects decide on before making one of the biggest decisions of their life. A lot of people have tried to guess and create theories as to why Jaden has yet to make a decision, but it is more simple than it appears. He is no rush and he does not need to be. When you are a top 10 player nationally, you hold all of the cards and his final 5 schools can only sit and wait for things to unfold.
So, the big question is where will Jaden McDaniels decide to attend college?
University of Washington: The home school can make the case that he can be the hometown hero and they have recruited him as aggressively as any UW recruit in some time. Coach Mike Hopkins is a high energy, positive coach and he has made it clear that he wants to keep home grown talent in Seattle. UW’s roster looks promising next year and Jaden could be the piece that takes them over the top. It would be absolute heart break if Jaden decides to go elsewhere.
UCLA: The Bruins are in a tough spot in Jaden’s recruitment with a coaching change announcement after Jaden made his list of five. Head Coach Mick Cronin has taken over the program, but there have been no apparent signs that UCLA is the favorite.
Kentucky: Coach Calipari has not been shy about the fact he wants McDaniels in Kentucky blue. His tweet from his private airplane flying over Mount Rainier made a lot of UW fans quiver. Kentucky has missed out on target Matthew Hurt to Duke and they have one hole in their recruiting class and that is at Jaden’s position. Jaden’s goal is to ultimately play in the NBA and Coach Calipari is one of the very best at helping kids do just that.
San Diego State: SDSU is where Jaden’s older brother, Jalen, spent his college career before entering the upcoming NBA draft. SDSU fans were hopeful Jalen would return to school and that would attract Jaden to want to play with his brother. While his brother is gone, SDSU has been a frequent destination for Jaden visiting his brother and doing workouts, but it remains to be seen if this will be enough.
Texas: Head Coach Shaka Smart and his staff have been recruiting Jaden dating back to his Team Bradley days and it continued to his breakout 2018 summer in the EYBL. Texas will likely rely on the fact that they offered Jaden earlier than some other schools and have been active in his recruitment before he was a top 10 player.
Let us know where you think Jaden will attend and WHY!?