Virginia's Search For Another 2023 Guard, New 2024 Offer, and More
It’s been a busy couple weeks of recruiting for the Virginia coaching staff. Two new scholarship offers are out. They’re clearly searching for another addition to the 2023 class, while still setting the table for 2024.
Making a Move on Carr
Tony Bennett has been on the road looking for another guard in his 2023 class. It seems he’s found one he likes. Link Academy (MO) combo guard Cameron Carr was offered a scholarship on Thursday, after Bennett was in Missouri to see him earlier this week.
Carr is an athletic, very long 6’4 guard who brings a lot of versatility. He’s becoming a hot commodity as more coaches have taken notice in recent weeks. .
Originally from Kansas, the offer comes on the eve of an official visit to his hometown school Kansas State. They’re believed to be the team to be beat right now. His former high school and AAU coach is on the staff there now. He’s also recently visited Northwestern. And Tennessee is trying to get him for a visit as well.
Still a Shot at Elmarko
South Kent (CT) point guard Elmarko Jackson included Virginia in his top 7 last week along with Kansas, Villanova, Texas, UCLA, Miami, and Notre Dame. Heavily recruited by the Hoos since being offered in June, he’s planning to use all five official visits before deciding in November.
He’s said that Virginia will receive one of those visits, but hasn’t yet set a date. Texas gets their turn this weekend. Along with Miami, those two may be in the best position with him right now. He’s already visited Miami and Kansas, and plans to see Notre Dame in late October.
Looking at their other activity, it’s not hard to conclude that UVA doesn’t love their chances with Elmarko. But they’re still in it, and there’s no obvious favorite yet. If they can get him on grounds as he’s said, there’s a chance.
GW III Finalist
Coach Bennett was recently in to see Chaminade Julienne (OH) combo guard George Washington III. The former Ohio State commit has since announced a top five that includes the Hoos along with Dayton, Wake Forest, Michigan, and Louisville.
Virginia hasn’t offered him a scholarship yet, but obviously there’s serious interest. They've had a relationship with him going back to the first go-round when he visited last Fall before committing to the Buckeyes. He plans to start taking visits soon, with Michigan getting the first shot on October 8th.
New 2024 Offer
Tony Bennett was in his home-state recruiting on Tuesday. He stopped by Wisconsin Lutheran, where he extended a scholarship offer to 2024 wing Kon Knueppel. After they staked out his games all summer, it’s not a surprising offer at all.
As always seems to be the case with recruits from Wisconsin, there’s a Bennett connection. Kon’s uncle, Jeff Nordgaard, was a star player for Dick Bennett at Wisconsin-Green Bay. Both of his parents were standouts in college as well.
Knueppel is a big-time prospect, maybe the most skilled player in the class at this stage. He had a dominant summer of AAU. His recruitment will continue to expand. He’s scheduled early official visits to Notre Dame and Stanford so far. Expect Virginia to be a serious player for him.
Quick Recruiting Overview.
Scholarships aren’t an issue for Virginia in either class. With guard Elijah Gertrude and big man Blake Buchanan on board, UVA still has four open for the 2023-24 season. Only two recruits with offers are left on the board, Elmarko Jackson and now Cameron Carr. The hope is to get at least one more.
Knueppel is the eighth player in the 2024 class to receive a scholarship offer. He joins guards Dedan Thomas Jr, Jaeden Mustaf, and Jayden Harris. Wings Isaiah Abraham and Rakease Passmore. Along with forwards Jarin Stevenson and Caleb Williams. So far, early attention has been concentrated on the wings and forwards. Look for more guards to be added once things are resolved for 2023.
As always, we’ll have it covered on Locker Room Access as Fall recruiting heads down the home stretch.