Intel Report 6/09/23: Summer Recruiting
The return of Ron Sanchez to Virginia, and how he fits into recruiting. And the Hoos made the short lists for a pair of 2024 recruits this week. All the latest on that front, along with emerging names to know this summer in the latest Locker Room Access Intel Report.
The Band Is Back Together
Ron Sanchez is returning to his old position as Virginia’s Associate Head Coach, It was announced on Tuesday, just shortly after news broke that he had resigned as UNC-Charlotte’s Head Coach. He’ll replace the outgoing Kyle Getter, who left in April for Notre Dame. Sanchez was of course one of Bennett’s original assistants at Virginia before leaving for Charlotte five years ago.
The news took me by total surprise. It’s highly unusual for a head coach to make that sort of move this late on the calendar. No idea what changed for Sanchez to decide on accepting the job now, but it’s the absolute best case scenario for UVA. He's obviously a very high-end experienced assistant coach at this level. And just as importantly, he understands Bennett’s way better than anyone.
On the recruiting front, it’s a perfect fit. Sanchez for the most part will slide right in and take over Getter’s former territories. He has a lot of connections in the midwest as well as out on the west coast going back to his time at Washington State. And he’s from New York City, so expect him to dabble in the northeast too.
Both Sanchez and Jason Williford will carry the Associate Head Coach title, with assistant coach Orlando Vandross and Bennett rounding out the four coaches who’ll be allowed on the road recruiting.
There's still a shakeup in staff titles coming. Graduate assistant Isaiah Wilkins will definitely be promoted to a full-time position. New rules take effect in July allowing for an expanded coaching staff in non-recruiting roles. So there could be further additions later. .
Summer Calendar
It’s been quiet on the recruiting front lately, but things are about to get busy. There’s live evaluation periods during four straight weeks, starting next weekend. UVA hasn’t had any visitors, and none are scheduled this weekend. I was told there should be some in the next week or so. Recruits can visit up until July 5th, and then that gets shut down for the rest of July.
June 15. Reach out day. Coaches can contact 2025 recruits directly for the first time. It’s kind of the kickoff to the recruiting process for rising juniors.
June 16-18. Scholastic Live Period. Coaches attend events in which prospects play with their high school teams.
June 23-25. 2nd Scholastic Live Period
June 28-29. NBPA Top 100 Camp. For two days, coaches can attend Top 100 Camp in Orlando.
July 6-9. AAU Live period. The biggest weekend of the year in recruiting. All the shoe circuits hold their championship events.
July 15-16 AAU live period. Last chance to evaluate most 2024 recruits.
Current 2024 Recruiting Targets
At this point, it’s important to look at how far along players are in their recruiting process and how solidified their contenders are. Things can change quickly in the summer, especially during July..
Nearing Decisions
George School (PA) point guard Christian Bliss included Virginia in his final four announced on Saturday, along with Villanova, Miami, and Xavier. That’s as solidified as it gets. It should be over by early July.
He’s already visited Villanova, and plans to visit the other three this month. No dates set yet as far as I know, but we fully expect him to take an official visit to Virginia. Bennett will be all over him in DC during the live period next weekend. I still think Villanova is the team to beat, and Miami is probably next, but UVA has a very real shot.
Seaforth (NC) forward Jarin Stevenson has walked back the talk of deciding by early June, but it’s still probably coming soon. The thing to watch right now is Alabama’s transfer recruiting. If they aren’t able to snag one of the high-profile forwards they’re after, Jarin will almost surely end up in that spot. That’s his best and maybe only acceptable choice to reclassify.
I don’t hold out much hope of Jarin ending up at UVA, but it’s still possible. The first step is for him to stay in the 2024 class. While UNC would be the favorite in that scenario. UVA does have a much clearer path to the court. And with all the focus on reclassification, I’m not sure he’s seriously examined things for 2024 yet.
Loose Ends
There are always loose ends this time of year. Recruits nearing a decision that UVA has been involved with but aren’t really in contention for anymore.. We have two of those right now.
Lyon County (KY) point guard Travis Perry keeps saying he’ll visit. So I’ll keep mentioning him. UVA would love to have him, but it’s a very longshot. He’s been a max effort recruit for Purdue. I’m surprised he hasn’t already committed. We’ll see if the coaches check on him next weekend in KY.
And Sidwell (DC) forward Caleb Williams included Virginia in his Final 7 on Thursday. Barring an unforeseen twist, he won’t be coming to UVA. They’ve cooled on him a bit. It looks like a battle between Georgetown and Villanova.
On The Horizon
Nobody had a better spring of AAU than Wisconsin Lutheran wing Kon Knueppel. He might be the most valuable player in the class to a college program. There’s a bunch of visits coming up for him this month. UVA and Wisconsin are really the only two serious contenders in the race right now though. The Badgers will try to close him out before July. If they can’t, they’ll start to weaken.
The bigger issue is that he’s a soaring stock that will draw new suitors this summer. Duke has been around before. So has Kansas, Gonzaga is interested. It won’t be as simple as it seems now. Bennett will be in it all the way though, or at least until he forces a verdict around late August to early September if necessary. Kon plays during the second scholastic weekend in Wisconsin.
I don’t know what to expect with Paul VI (VA) wing Isaiah Abraham. UVA is still involved, but they’re not being very aggressive. And it’s possible he won’t be available that much longer. I just think a wing isn’t a must-have for them, so everything needs to be right. We’ll see if they bring him for a visit later this month. Bennett will see him play in DC next week.
UVA has continued to recruit Paul VI (VA) big man Patrick Ngongba as well. He’s scheduled to visit Duke next week. Very longshot for the Hoos.
In The Distance
Harvard Westlake (CA) point guard Trent Perry was offered a scholarship in May. It’s nothing to take seriously though until Bennett comes around. They haven’t even started to recruit him yet. He’ll play at the Section 7 event in Arizona during the second scholastic weekend. I’d expect someone from UVA to be there. .
He recently visited Southern Cal. They look like the favorite so far. UVA would like to get him to visit before AAU starts back up. If that doesn’t happen, he’s a fall recruit and there’s no guarantee they’ll be seriously involved.
Emerging Names
Some of the players we know will get evaluated by UVA in the weeks ahead.
Point Guards
Jase Richdson of Bishop Gorman (NV) already has UVA in his Top 8. It’s just a question of how seriously they’ll dive in. He’ll be at the Section 7 event in Arizona during the second June weekend.
Bishop Boswell from Myers Park (NC) has been mentioned here before. Ron Sanchez was recruiting him at Charlotte, so there could be a little extra reason for UVA to jump in. He’ll be at the live event in Georgia next week.
Brandon Jennings out of St. Christopher’s School in Richmond is one to keep an eye on. After a big spring of AAU, he’s starting to draw high major interest including from UVA. They’ll check him out during the second June period at the Blue Ridge School.
Wings
I still expect UVA to check out Harlan County (KY) sharpshooter Trent Noah at some point this summer. Stanford and Seton Hall recently offered. He’ll be at the live event in KY next weekend.
Chase McCarty from Westminster Christian (AL) has already blown up as they say. UVA could still jump in though. He’ll be in Georgia next weekend.
Forwards
Ryan Jones Jr. out of The Rock School (FL) is about to get very popular after a monster spring. UVA is sure to be among those in line. I don’t think his team is playing during the scholastic periods. So Top 100 Camp in late June will probably be the next chance to see him.
I’ve mentioned William Jobe before, the stretch forward out of King’s Ridge (GA). He’ll play during the second June weekend in Georgia.
David Punch of Dynamic Prep (TX) has been a standout in the Nike EYBL. Coach Williford has been talking to him for a while now. He’ll be at the live event in Texas during the second weekend.
Sebastian Rancik from JSerra Catholic (CA) could be one to watch out for. Another guy Ron Sachez recruited at Charlotte early on before he got out of their range.
And UVA has been in contact with Sandy Creek (GA) forward Micah Smith for a while. He should get a look this month, playing in both live periods in Georgia.
I’m looking forward to the coaches finally getting back on the road, and hopefully visits coming up as well. We’ll have it covered in-depth as always on Locker Room Access. Thanks for subscribing!