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Get ready for Nerlens Noel to be the story of spring recruiting

spt-120201-noel

Mike Miller

Anthony Davis has spent this season swatting his way into Kentucky’s record books and maybe even into national player of the year consideration.

Now chew on this – there’s an even more intimidating player entering college basketball next season.

Nerlens Noel, a 6-10 center who’s wowed the summer circuit the last two years with his shot-blocking abilities, told Dave Telep of ESPN that he intends to re-classify from the class of 2013 to 2012, meaning he’ll be the prime target of every school this spring. Brush him off as hype if you choose. Even Mike DeCourcy of the Sporting News (not one for hyperbole) thinks Noel is headed for greatness.

Here’s Noel in prime form.

“I just thought over the season that I thought I was getting a higher level of competition and was working on my game,” Noel told Telep. “I reclassified because I was hurt but I feel like I’m ready to play at the next level.”

Noel recently said he wouldn’t re-classify, but told Telep that his performance at the HoopHall Classic two weeks ago cemented the move. Now he’ll line up more visits to prospective colleges – he’s already been to Providence and Connecticut and will visit Syracuse on Feb. 11 – with Kentucky, Florida, Georgetown and North Carolina on the list.

Noel told Telep he isn’t in a hurry to commit to a school. He just wants to head to the college game.

Can’t wait to see how he impacts it.

You also can follow me on Twitter @MikeMillerNBC.