The Georgia Bulldogs on Monday finally got around to announcing four signees for their 2019-20 recruiting class.
In-state prep prospects Kadarius “K.D.” Johnson and Josh Taylor and a pair of junior college teammates Jonathan Ned and Mikal Starks. Their commitments had been all over social media last week when the fall signing period began, but coach Tom Crean said Monday he wanted to wait until he had all the completed paperwork from all four prospects so he could announce them together.
Together, they give Georgia the nation's 24th-ranked recruiting class, according to 247Sports.com's composite rankings. Last year's class was consensus Top 10.
Crean commented on each player Monday before discussing the Bulldogs' Wednesday matchup against archrival Georgia Tech.
- On the 6-foot-8, 200-pound Taylor of Columbia High in DeKalb County:
“What stood out about Josh right away was his level of rebounding,” Crean said. “His ability to play end to end, his desire to rebound the ball which is going to be a huge thing for us moving forward, inside of this team. I like his length—I like his height. I think there's a lot of upside to him, offensively. He likes to defend. He likes to block shots he runs end to end, and we're excited to have him.”
- On Johnson, a 6-1, 180-pound guard from Decatur who is playing at Hargrave Military Prep School in Virginia as a senior this season:
“K.D. is a young guy that wanted to be here, and I think he's doing a really good job of trying to improve and every area that he can,” Crean said. “I think it's one of the reasons that he went to Hargrave Military Academy, I liked the discipline of that program. I've had success in the past with guys that have come out of there. I feel good about him and again he’s another Georgia young man, from a Georgia family that wanted to be here, that helps represent this program I think the right way.”
- On Ned, a 6-9, 205-pounder who is a rising sophomore at Eastern Florida State.
“Jonathan Ned is going to be outstanding,” Crean said. “He can shoot the ball. He made 45 threes last year as a freshman. He can play numerous positions. He's already had a game of 17 rebounds this year. He's from California. He was one of those kids that was under-recruited – went to junior college – to change his lot, and that's exactly what he did. He's versatile. He can pick and pop. He can drive it. You can play through him. I think he's going to get better and better to that extent.”
- On Starks (6-0, 175), who is from Miami, Fla., and also is a rising sophomore at Eastern Florida State.
“What I love about him is he has an unbelievable level of toughness,” Crean said. “He's fearless. He can shoot the ball, which is hugely important for us, and from a guard spot. He can play with the ball. He can play without the ball. He can deliver the ball. He's very good in the pick and roll. I like that he can attack the rim. He can score with both hands. I like the fact that he really wanted to be here, and that meant a lot to me, too.”
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