Exciting times as highly touted point guard, Josh Perkins, has finally made it to the Gonzaga Campus this weekend for an official visit.
Although coach Few has been on him for awhile now, it will probably take a minor miracle to get him to commit to being a Zag at this point in his recruitment process.
He is a 6-foot-3, 185-pound point guard who is the #22 ranked prospect in the country for the 2014 class on 247Sports.com. He averaged 25 points, 7 rebounds and 6.5 assists per game as a junior while attending Regis Jesuit of Colorado. Perkins is an elite hoops prospect who is transferring to the NBA creating pipeline, Huntington Prep, for his senior season. The thinking is that this move, with the added exposure, will make his recruitment blow up even more.
Gonzaga and UCLA were once considered the frontrunners for his services, but Perkin's recruitment is really starting to escalate. He has at least 30 DI offers on the table and now coach Calipari of Kentucky is taking a look. I will never forget how coach Cal came in at the last second and locked up potential Zag, Kyle Wiltjer. Most prognosticators thought he was a lock for becoming a Zag until coach Cal jumped into the fray. With Calipari sniffing around it gives me a nervous feeling. Some of the other notables we are up against are: Syracuse, USC, Baylor, and Kansas.
With Pangos and Gary Bell set to become upperclassmen next season (wow, that was fast!) obtaining Perkin's commitment would be a huge success and bode well for the programs future. It's doubtful that he will commit during his visit as he plans on taking more official visits, but we certainly hope the staff and players roll out the red carpet and show him the love!
He recently tweeted:
14 comments:
Hey MagTown,
LOL, it's as if Josh and I somehow managed to find the time to squeeze in a little content after you complained.
Keep up the good work! :o)
Hey, if going to a Jesuit school means anything to Josh (and it might since he's at a Jesuit school now), Gonzaga could be a great fit. Also, if he were to go to Gonzaga he'd probably get more national exposure than he would on any other team. There's good reason to believe that he'd be in the NCAA every year and a starter early on with a lot of minutes every game. Which wouldn't be nearly as likely if he were to go somewhere like Kentucky.
Eric, excellent thoughts.
I too had felt the Jesuit connection might have some extra sway. And, since UK already has pg recruits lined up that are higher ranked than Perkins, it stands to reason he'd get more pt here.
It would seem UK could promise getting to the dance every year, just like GU, but they lost in the NIT last year, lol. Apparently, getting the top 5 Micky Ds like coach Calipari does every year does not guarantee making the NCAA dance.
My feeling is that it would be the biggest recruit score in history if we could land Perkins. Lord, let it be.
Good points, and I agree it would be great news!
Don't know if you saw this article on Slipperstillfits or not - looks like in addition to the Jesuit connection, Perkins is VERY impressed by the sincerity of Mark Few, and has a friendship going with Matt Bouldin. The Zags seem to have a good shot at this one.
http://www.slipperstillfits.com/2014-gonzaga-recruiting/2013/3/18/4109150/interview-gonzaga-in-hot-pursuit-of-2014-g-josh-perkins#comments
Thanks Eric....I'll take a peek.
From what I've been seeing it looks like he is leaning Kentucky right now.
Don't have the links in front of me but a guy posted some on www.guboards.com that give some quotes from Perkins that make me feel he will not be a Zag. We can keep hoping though.
I hate to say it but here is a link where it does not feel as favorable:
http://www.kentucky.com/2013/06/14/2679109/next-cats-pg-prospect-perkins.html
However, his Dad seems to be the one taking charge in his recruiting, so maybe he will talk some sense into his son and let him know he can get to the NBA just as easily through GU.
If it were my son there is no way I allow him to go to Kentucky. I think Gonzaga's coaches are much more stable, honest, and they run a clean program. I actually like the smaller, closer community too.
Calipari calling Perkins DURING his visit to Gonzaga is just an example of why I can't stand him. If I were the recruit I would be turned off by a school calling me during a recruiting visit. It has slime written all over it.
He does not feel he is anyone's back up? Also, it is his goal to go to the NBA early...so yeah he won't be coming to GU as KP would be a Senior and our starting PG...
These HS kids...more and more think they are the shiz when they have not played one minute of D1 ball....
Dear HS recruits...Stop believing the tweets, put your head down and do work and earn your starting spot just like everyone else!
That is just silly to think Josh won't come to GU because he doesn't want to be anybody's backup. I wouldn't expect, nor want, a top tier recruit to have any other attitude. Sometimes what a recruit says and is willing to accept are two entirely different things. He will get plenty of minutes, mostly Stockton's.
There aren't too many elite teams where he can be expected to be the starter right away. Maybe Kentucky if the Harrison twins are as good as everyone thinks they are but there is no guarantee they will go pro leaving an opening for Josh. Besides, like Gaz says, who would want their son to go there.
UCLA is iffy with their situation with a coaching change so I think we are sitting pretty good. His only other real options to start right away are with teams with no guarantee of a NCAA appearance and without nearly the exposure of GU.
I am going to go out on a limb and say we get Perkins, Travis and Pope.
"That is just silly to think Josh won't come to GU because he doesn't want to be anybody's backup." no it isn't.
you my want that sort of attitude from a "top tier" kid who has not played a minute of D1 ball but that does not mean anyone else does nor does it make it right.
He has enough talent to start...but GU will have a four year starting Seniors at PG and SG...I think you are silly to one, think he will take the starting spot and two, think that DS minutes will be "plenty"
Also I stated two reasons he won't be coming to GU...he holds offers from very good schools and even after that he will hold out to see if UK offers...as he wants an early exit and "that is what UK does.."
Take UK out of the picture for a moment....UCLA is not even close to "iffy" try reading what he said about his visits, he loves it there...he has been there many times...not just on his official...
Lastly....he does not have the option to start right away at GU...so why in the Hades are you acting like he does?
I really wanted Perkins and 3 months ago I would have said he had a good chance of coming to GU but he has played is way into the spotlight, and he is going to take the path he feels will get him to his goal....the NBA.
I would love to see him come to GU and be content to take the reigns from Pangos...as a sophomore...but I am dubious at best...
I don't think it happens but I do think GU can get Pope and Travis maybe even get Namon Wright or Trey Kell...and then a good PG in Kendall Small in 2015....that would be one hell of a recruiting class in 2014....in the end though...if I had to pick any one of those I would take Pope...he is a special kind of player IMO.
If Perkins is that good, there will be enough minutes to make him happy. It has happened before (Harris for one).
The 'NBA argument' is just specious. If you are good enough to play in the NBA you can certainly get there from GU. Austin Daye did it and . . . frankly, was he as good as Perkins is?
In the end it always comes down to the same thing. Guys come to GU because they want to come to GU. There are many great things about playing in Spokane for Gonzaga that you will never get anywhere else.
On the flip side, GU / Spokane isn't a lot of things and if those other things are more important to a player then you will never see him suiting up as a Zag.
Remember, these are 18 year old kids and kids often make decisions based on criteria that will just make you roll your eyes. Such is life.
The 'NBA argument' is just specious. If you are good enough to play in the NBA you can certainly get there from GU. Austin Daye did it and . . . frankly, was he as good as Perkins is?
Well...if you want to be a one and done coming into a program with a Senior PG...it matters...
Perkins is good....better than AD?...no idea...IMO AD was limited by his attitude...but that is what young kids have very often..attitude. ah well.
Perkins does get owned on the D side of the ball when trying to guard bigger physical guards....but...don't we all....
In the end it always comes down to the same thing. Guys come to GU because they want to come to GU. There are many great things about playing in Spokane for Gonzaga that you will never get anywhere else...
Completely Agree
Remember, these are 18 year old kids and kids often make decisions based on criteria that will just make you roll your eyes. Such is life.
Agree as well.
Alluding to something Brianna said:
"Sometimes what a recruit says and is willing to accept are two entirely different things."
I certainly hope so. Otherwise he is delusional. Chances are not very good he comes straight in and takes a spot from Pangos or Bell as seniors.
Also: "He will get plenty of minutes, mostly Stockton's."
But....is it good enough for him?, to get Stocks mins and backup mins from KP or GB? I like the attitude too, but if it is how he REALLY feels this will not work out.
I remember when it looked like Wiltjer would commit, then he got swept off his feet by the starry lights of Calipari and UK.
I felt like because he was a Jesuit, and that Few had been on him forever, and that his parents seemed to be in the lead and not in awe necessarily by MONEY and the NBA, that we had a very good shot. Welp, we know what happened.
Unfortunately, it feels similar with Perkins.
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