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Predicting Where Five-Star SF Brandon Ingram Will Play College Ball

By Cody Daniel

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An official decision date has been set for another one of college basketball’s undecided elite, as Brandon Ingram, ESPN’s No. 2 small forward in 2015, will make his college selection on Monday, Apr. 27.

With a full week between now and decision day, six schools still remain in the running in hopes of landing the 6’8” wing’s services; Duke, North Carolina, Kentucky, Kansas, North Carolina State and UCLA. As you can see with the names included, Ingram wouldn’t be making a mistake by choosing any of these programs and each of these schools has something different to offer the McDonald’s All-American.

Duke has one of the greatest coaches in college basketball history in Mike Krzyzewski and a recently added National Championship. John Calipari at Kentucky offers the powerhouse of college basketball, at the moment, and a stamped ticket to the NBA after a presumed deep run in March Madness. Another Hall-of-Famer in Roy Williams has a roster that could begin as the Preseason No. 1, while UCLA and N.C. State can advertise immediate minutes as a starter.

But of all the intriguing options, where is Ingram most likely to take to the hardwood at next season?

N.C. State and UCLA both have the most to offer Ingram in terms of playing time from the moment he arrives on campus, just as both are fresh off of impressive NCAA Tournament runs. But another thing both have in common is the lack of real noise they have made in Ingram’s recruitment. When you include that into the reality of more prominent programs seeking his services as time winds down, I think it’s safe to say Ingram going to N.C. State or UCLA is unlikely, at best.

This would then leave Duke, North Carolina, Kentucky and Kansas.

For each of the remaining four, there are already quality options in place on the perimeter. Duke has Grayson Allen, Matt Jones and incoming freshman Luke Kennard. North Carolina looks to be set for their starting perimeter with Justin Jackson and Theo Pinson on the wings. Kentucky is loaded with freshman Charles Matthews and Alex Poythress, along with Isaiah Brisco, who could see minutes on the wing as a secondary ball handler when he isn’t running the show.

Apr 1, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; McDonald’s All American East forward Jaylen Brown (1) shoots the ball against the McDonald’s All American West during the first half at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 1, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; McDonald’s All American East forward Jaylen Brown (1) shoots the ball against the McDonald’s All American West during the first half at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /

But the Wildcats still have the nation’s top small forward, Jaylen Brown, considering the Big Blue Nation, while combo-guard Malik Newman is expected to become a Wildcat. Bill Self and Kansas have some unanswered roster questions, but they are likely set for perimeter starters with Wayne Selden returning for a junior season, along with Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk.

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The Jayhawks were able to visit with Ingram Saturday, but Kansas has never really been considered a leader for Ingram and with a decision date already set, it’s quite likely Ingram has made up his mind and that destination isn’t Kansas.

Just as with Kansas, the Kentucky Wildcats have never led the pack in Ingram’s recruitment. Whether you want to credit this to a loaded roster last season that could have deterred his interest, or the possibility of landing the No. 2 recruit in the nation in Jaylen Brown who plays his position, the truth remains that UK has been playing catch up for a while. Kentucky met with Ingram Friday, but as the odd man out in a race that seems to come down to Duke and UNC, along with an already-occupied backcourt that may add Newman and Brown, I can’t see Ingram heading to Lexington.

This leaves North Carolina and Duke in the running for the in-state product from Kinston High.

247 Sports also has Duke and UNC as the leading two candidates for Ingram, but their Crystal Ball projections favor Coach K and the Blue Devils in convincing fashion at 70 percent, and due to the current roster situations of the two, I have to agree.

The Tar Heels are expected to be one of the very best teams in the country next season, but with that comes a polished roster that may not have room for Ingram right out of the gates. With guys like Jackson and Pinson already in place, along with a plethora of skilled guards, heading to Chapel Hill could mean spending more of his freshman year on the bench than the hardwood.

This leaves Duke.

The makeup of Duke’s current roster is pretty ideal for what Ingram brings to the table. He’s a lengthy scorer on the wing, already displaying tremendous potential as a well-rounded prospect. With his length providing an advantage of defense, his versatility would make for plenty of early opportunities at Duke.

The Blue Devils competition for the perimeter would provide two positions for the taking with four viable candidates. Sophomore shooting guard Grayson Allen could use his 16-point explosion in the National Championship game as a springboard to the early favorite to start. Matt Jones has shown signs of scoring in spurts, but he serves better as an offensive option off the bench, while the freshman Kennard is as capable of starting as any.

Ingram’s smooth stroke from all over and offensive identity that doesn’t limit him to threes and looks at the rim, the 6’8″ wing can use his raw talent and length to compete for a starting job, although it probably wouldn’t happen by the start of the season. But with Duke often running guard heavy offenses with only one true big man down low, Ingram could, and likely will provide a mismatch off the bench running with three other guards.

Elite recruits finding early minutes can play a key factor in their decisions, especially with talks of making the NBA after only one season arise. This isn’t to say that will affect Ingram’s decision, but as a prospect that’s viewed more by that sacred word we know as “upside,” it’s possible that’s his ultimate path and Duke provides the most available opportunity to make that case. That, along with Duke being close to home and the possibility of playing under a legendary coach is why Ingram will become a Blue Devil.

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