Kevin Ware, who rivals.com ranks as the nation's No. 56 basketball prospect, never thought he would spend the final months of his senior year of high school thinking about a college other than Tennessee.
The Rockdale County guard committed to the Volunteers as a sophomore, ignored flirtations from rival recruiters over the years, and signed with Tennessee in November. Ware's longtime college plans were jolted with Monday's firing of Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl.
Georgia Tech recruit Julian Royal of Milton is in the same type of situation after the dismissal of Yellow Jackets coach Paul Hewitt on March 12.
It can be the land of confusion for any high school kid with spring's annual hiring and firing of college coaches. There will be a lot of recruiting soap operas to be played out before the late signing period, which begins April 13.
"Yes, it's going to be weird because I'm not going to have another relationship like I had with Coach Pearl," Ware said. "It was so early when I committed as a sophomore. I basically knew [Pearl] for almost three years. We talked all the time. Now he's gone."
Ware's reaction was the same as any elite recruit yet to enroll in a college that has undergone a coaching change -- he wanted a release from his Tennessee letter of intent to re-open the recruiting process. He may stick with the Vols, but wants to examine possible interest from other schools, including Tech and Georgia.
However, Ware said it appeared that Tennessee officials want him to talk with the soon-to-be-named coach before discussing further his request.
"I really don't know what's going to happen," Ware said. "If Tennessee's doors close, then hopefully God will open another door for me. That's how I'm looking at it."
The 6-foot-8 Royal signed with Tech over Georgia, citing his relationship with Hewitt as a deciding factor. While Royal was disappointed with the change, he still heavily favors Tech. His family credits regular communication with Tech athletic director Dan Radakovich for calming the uncertainty.
“We did talk about the possibility of getting a release but [Radakovich] said the policy of the school is not to do that until a new guy is chosen and we get to sit down and talk," said Royal's father, Charles Royal. "It’s a little more ‘hardball’ than I would like, but I understand it, too.
"We anxiously want to sit down with the new coach ... at the end of the day, my son really wants to attend Georgia Tech.”
Most of Atlanta area's top seniors signed in the early period, including Greater Atlanta Christian guard Malcolm Brogdon (Virginia), the Milton duo of Shannon Scott (Ohio State) and guard Dai-Jon Parker (Vanderbilt), and Norcross swingman E. Victor Nickerson (UNC-Charlotte), among others. None are likely to consider a switch unless they are touched by the domino effect of coaching changes.
There are still several uncommitted seniors who are attracting attention from colleges. South Atlanta's Dominique McCoy has talked to Oregon State, New Mexico, La Salle, Indiana State and Providence about scholarship offers or official visits. The 6-7 senior averaged 16 points and can play multiple positions, including point guard and forward.
Algie Key, who helped Columbia win the Class AAA championship, has serious interest from Florida and Auburn, but first will have to attend a junior college or prep school. The 6-4 guard averaged 14 points and seven assists this past season.
Rockdale County's Bernard Thompson has offers from Virginia Commonwealth, Providence, Georgia State, Wofford and Tennessee-Chattanooga. The 6-3 guard, who averaged 17.5 points last season, said he has yet to schedule any official visits.
Miller Grove's Henry Brooks was a hot commodity until tearing the ACL in his left knee in the state quarterfinals. The 6-7 forward has an offer from Georgia Southern and is still waiting to hear back from Minnesota and Mississippi State.
"It's a tough on Henry, really tough," Miller Grove coach Sharman White said. "There is a good lesson to be learned out of this situation here for a lot of kids. Henry is a superb student [with a 3.9 GPA] and won't have a problem getting an academic scholarship, if that turns out to be the case."
About the Author
