We’re back with another edition of ‘Recruit Roundtable’ where we ask the top prospects in the country to sound off on the latest basketball news or other important topics. In this edition, several players discuss the latest rumors of conference realignment from Louisville joining the ACC, Maryland bolting for the Big Ten and Duke possibly leaving the ACC for the SEC.
D’Angelo Russell | Class of 2014 | Shooting Guard | Louisville, UK, UNC, OSU
“That’s cool that Louisville is joining the ACC, I never would have expected it but everything happens for a reason so I guess it’s a good thing. People have told me I was a Big Ten, ACC type player but I’m not sure. Louisville has a chance with me regardless so I’m not sure how much it impacts me.”
Matt Jones | Class of 2013 | Shooting Guard | Duke
“That’s crazy! [I'd] definitely be sad a little if Duke left for the SEC since I was looking forward to playing in the ACC but none the less [I'm] excited to just get a chance to play college ball! I’m really glad [Pittsburgh, Syracuse, Louisville and Notre Dame] came [to the ACC] knowing it should be a very interesting conference. The ACC would be among the top for sure with all of the talents the teams in the ACC have and the great coaches.”
Malachi Richardson | Class of 2015 | Shooting Guard | Indiana, Georgetown, Connecticut
“Yes, realignment does impact my recruitment. They’re better games in better conferences and top programs are leaving the Big East to go to the ACC. I’ve always wanted to play in the Big East but the change of the Big East is a concern; it’s still competitive but it’s very different. Syracuse joined, Connecticut will soon and so will Louisville… those are top schools. Also, Rutgers leaving is big too. It’s pluses for all of them because they’re going to a strong conference.”
Anton Gill | Class of 2013 | Shooting Guard | Louisville
“I’m excited we’re moving to the ACC because they’re so many good teams we’re gonna have to play now. It’s a lot of competition in that conference. I’m most excited to play North Carolina because I grew up watching them and I went to a lot of their games when I was younger.”
Tyler Roberson | Class of 2013 | Power Forward | Syracuse
“I think the ACC will be an even better conference now and it will be a challenge playing against other good teams. Playing against all of those big schools in the ACC will be a challenge and I think we’ll be one of the best conferences in college basketball.”
Semi Ojeleye | Class of 2013 | Small Forward | Duke
“I’m not sure how I feel about the rumors of Duke leaving the ACC [for the SEC], Duke is my school regardless. The ACC is stacked now. I think it’ll be a power conference as far as basketball is concerned.”
Roddy Peters | Class of 2013 | Point Guard | Maryland
“I think it’s going to help us [to go to the Big Ten] because now we’ll have a better chance of getting into the tournament. I think it will help us overall and make us a lot better team. I like the Big Ten conference too.”
*Note: The schools listed for the uncommitted prospects are just a small sampling of the many schools that are recruiting them.
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