High school basketball recruiting authority Ryan James told Sports Headliners he expects all four players who have made verbal commitments to the Gophers to sign National Letters of Intent during the early signing period that begins Wednesday and continues through November 19. “I would say they’re (the commitments) as solid as you’re ever going to get,” said James who writes for Gopherillustrated.com.
Verbally committed and expected to accept scholarships are point guards Kevin Dorsey and Jarvis Johnson, shooting guard Dupree McBrayer and power forward Jonathan Nwankwo. James said Dorsey’s style is a “perfect fit” for Minnesota coach Richard Pitino who likes to speed up play offensively and pressure defensively all over the court. James also said Johnson has favored the Gophers for awhile and the coaches “got in early on” recruiting McBrayer and Nwankwo. “There’s been no rumors whatsoever to them (all) not signing,” James said.
He expects the foursome to be a top 20 to 25 recruiting class when the national rankings come out after the early signing period, and for Minnesota’s group to be higher rated than those from border rivals Iowa and Wisconsin.
He believes the class will compare favorably to the Gophers’ best recruiting groups of the last 20 years except for what coach Clem Haskins achieved in 1995. The Haskins class included Bobby Jackson, Courtney James and Quincy Lewis—key contributors to the Gophers’ 1997 Final Four team. “That’s the best class that I have seen,” said James.
Dorsey is a 5-11, 160-pound four-star prospect from Upper Marlboro, Maryland, according to Rivals.com. “This is a guy who pushes the pace at all times,” James said. “He makes a 60, 70 point game (into) a 90 point game. His defense is game changing.”
Dorsey’s profile on Rival.com includes an impressive list of basketball schools that offered scholarships including Creighton, Maryland, Memphis, SMU and VCU.
Minnesota’s other three recruits are three-star players, according to Rivals but there are often different opinions about ratings. “Dupree McBrayer—some people have him four—most people have him three. I believe he’s a four-star kid,” James said. “As a guy who sees national talent (during) all the live periods, goes to all these tournaments, (I think) he’s better than a lot of guys that are ranked in front of him.”
McBrayer, from Bel Aire, Kansas, is 6-4, 175. “He’s a very skilled, very explosive long winged (player). He can play three positions,” James said. “He has so much potential, it’s amazing. He’s just starting to reach it.”
Johnson is the hometown kid, the DeLaSalle High School star who local prep fans have been watching for awhile. The 6-1, 175-pound Johnson turned down offers from the likes of Iowa State, Michigan State, Wisconsin and UCLA to stay home, according to Rivals.com. The decision was influenced, James said, by a “tight, tight, family.”
“Athletically he’s on another level,” James said about Johnson. “He can physically do things that other people just can’t and he’s been well taught at DeLaSalle.”
Johnson draws attention with his speed and James said the young point guard is “ferocious” in driving to the basket. And Johnson impresses with his hustle and effort on defense, too. “I’ve never seen him not dive for a loose ball. I’ve never seen him not play hard in a game. He plays for (coach) Dave Thorson; when you’re playing for Dave Thorson, you’re playing defense.”
Nwankwo is a player James is familiar with but wants to see more of. However, he has seen and knows enough to like the potential of the 6-9, 245-pound Nwankwo who is from Mount Vernon, New York.
“His body is like a Marvel cartoon character,” James said. “He’s a beast. He’s very coachable and willing to do whatever. Great size—he’s willing to defend.”