Both Marquette and Utah landed their point guards of the future, but it will be another season before the commitments help out at the college level, as both prospects are currently high school juniors, in the 2013 class.
Marquette struck in their backyard with Duane Wilson, a lengthy lead guard from Dominican (Wis.), who is 6-3 and narrowed his finalists to Missouri and Memphis before calling it for Marquette. He seems like a great fit in Buzz Williams’ system, and is part of a very nice duo of early commits with 6-4 wing Deonte Burton of Vincent (Wis.). As a bonus, Wilson’s teammate at Dominican, future all-name team member Diamond Stone, is a 6-9 freshman considered a top talent nationally in that class.
The rebuilding Utah program needs help in a variety of areas, and they only way to go from here is up. No-nonsense lead guard Julian Jacobs is a complete point guard at 6-3, and the Las Vegas-native has the skill set to step in and play heavy minutes when he hits campus. While Utah could find competent point guard play in the 2012-2013 from the candidates on the current roster, if they don’t, Jacobs could play right away. Utah could be looking to establish a pipeline to the Las Vegas Prospects grassroots basketball team, which Jacobs plays for, as assistant coach DeMarlo Slocum formerly coached in that program.
While not a point guard, New Mexico snagged a good 2013 commitment, as well. The verbal that the Lobos received is the farthest thing from unexpected though, as head coach Steve Alford’s son Bryce committed at a press conference. Alford, the younger, is a terrific outside gunner, and will play for his father, with his brother Kory, who is currently a redshirt freshman.
Kellon Hassenstab runs Hoopniks.com. Follow him on Twitter @hoopniks.