Headlines: Jamal Murray Not Choosing Kentucky? One Site Thinks So

StraightHoops.com is the website that predicted correctly many of this years recruits decisions on where they went to school. I believe the only one they got wrong, was they said Jaylen Brown would go to Kentucky. They are now saying they don’t believe that Jamal Murray will end up in Lexington wearing blue next year. They say he will reclassify however. Here is an exerpt to what they said about Jamal Murray:

"“Most experts have Murray leaning towards Kentucky. We disagree. While Kentucky offers the blue blood system with a history of shuffling top notch prospects into the league – which is why they are still in the running for Murray’s services – the Canadian connection is what lands Murray on the Oregon campus next season. While all of the major players jumped on board even harder after the Hoop Summit performance, Oregon and assistant coach Mike Mennenga – who has a very good relationship with Murray’s father, Roger – have been after Murray for some time now. That has resonated strongly with Murray’s camp. Additionally, Murray’s good friend and former AAU teammate, Dillon Brooks, has been persuading Murray to join him up in Eugene, where the Ducks are anticipating major things to occur this season. The Ducks return 3 of their top 4 scorers from last season, and have a stellar recruiting class coming in already with SG Tyler Dorsey, PF Trevor Manuel, PG Kendall Smith, and PF Chris Boucher. They also have Villanova-transfer, and another Canadian import, G Dylan Ennis joining the squad. Murray just returned from his 2nd trip to Oregon in the last two months. The word is, the last visit went fantastic and only solidified what Murray was already feeling. Once his academics straighten out and he can officially reclassify into the Class of 2015, we think Murray will then commit to Oregon. “"

It has been thought that Jamal Murray will be deciding on his college future sometime this week, but nothing definitive yet. The same website said that Thon Maker will also not pick Kentucky, that is of no shock really to anyone. Here is what they had to say about him:

"“Thon Maker is another x-factor that could drastically impact college hoops next season. Maker is one of the great mysteries of the last 10 years in college basketball recruiting. In the national spotlight basically since he’s been in this country – and featured widely on YouTube highlight videos – Maker has traveled around the globe more than Anthony Bourdain. After being born in Sudan and growing up in Uganda, Maker attended grade school in Australia before moving to the United States. He then attended two schools in Louisiana before settling down – for a bit, in Virginia and enrolling at the Carlisle School in Martinsville where he played his freshman and sophomore years of high school basketball. This past season, however, Maker moved again, transferring to the Athlete Institute in Mono, Ontario – yes, the same school as Jamal Murray. At 7’1″ & 210 lbs, Maker has been compared to everyone from Kevin Garnett to Anthony Davis. Not yet quite at either of their levels at this stage, Maker does combine guard like skills with the size of a center – just like both KG and AD. However, Maker has been a bit inconsistent, showing flashes of both brilliance and mediocrity at times. Nevertheless, there are many suitors for this 7-footer who has guard-like ball handling skills, a perimeter jumper, phenomenal shot blocking instincts and incredible footwork. While he holds offers from most of the big players, the consensus seems to be that it is down to Kentucky, Kansas, Indiana and Arizona State, with the Hoosiers and Sun Devils clearly leading the pack. To make a prediction here by us would be sheer speculation. We cannot offer any insight into where Maker will eventually end up, but we will say this: if it is truly down to Indiana and Arizona State, as reported, Maker will be Bobby Hurley, Jr.’s first major commit.”"

In other news today Zagsblog is reporting that Kentucky has offered 2017 power forward Mohamed Bamba. Bamba is a 6-11 big man with a 7-8 wingspan (yes, you read that correctly) with a 9-5 reach (yes, you also read that correctly). He is still growing. He has been referred to as the “Little Ticket” in reference to Kevin Garnett and his nickname “The Big Ticket”, because of their similar skill set. Here is a video of him so you can get an idea of what type of player he is:

Also, one last thing for today, it had been reported that class of 2016, 6-9 forward Jason Tatum had been down to 2 schools, and those schools where St. Louis and Duke. Not so fast said Jason Tatum when he told Zagsblog this:

"“No, I’m still at four [schools],” the 6-foot-9 guard/forward from St. Louis (MO) Chaminade College Prep told SNY.tv by phone Monday night after the roster was cut to 16 players."

"St. Louis: “[The appeal is] how much it would mean for St. Louis University and the hometown and my family as well to come to all the home games.”Kentucky: “It would be an honor. They produce a lot of great players in the NBA. They win ballgames and have a great coach [John Calipari] and they win national championships.”Duke: “They do the same thing. They produce NBA players, great coach [Mike Krzyzewski], [he has] most wins in NCAA history, and they win national championships and that’s appealing for any team.”North Carolina: “They’re not too much different from Duke or Kentucky. Great tradition, history of the program, coaching staff and a lot of great players have come through there.”"

Here is also a video of Jason Tatum: