Kentucky, Florida, Memphis Battling for Major Christmas Present
Words. Patrick Cassidy
One of the country’s top programs is about to get very lucky. Think of some of the top teams you’ve seen play so far this year, particularly Kentucky, UConn and Florida. Now picture those lineups suddenly infused with a 6-9 power forward with the strength to clean house and finish in the lane and the touch to knock down a 15-foot jumper. That’s what we’re looking at with the case of Memphis, Tenn.’s Jarnell Stokes and his potential to be playing for one of those programs in January.
Here’s Jarnell’s situation:
Great Kentucky blog A Sea of Blue breaks it down today:
As has been speculated for some time, 2012 power forward Jarnell Stokes plans to enroll early, starting college after he graduates from high school this winter. The news was confirmed by Stokes’ father in an interview with Cats Illustrated. Stokes is looking to decide on a college by Christmas, thereby giving him time to enroll at his school of choice and be eligible to play starting in January 2012.
Stokes had transferred to Southwind High School in Memphis to play his senior season, but was ruled athletically ineligible by the state. He reportedly had been looking at alternative options for his final year of high school basketball (possibly enrolling out of state at a school like Word of God Academy). But because he’s academically as well as athletically gifted, Stokes also had the opportunity to graduate early. Give the young man kudos for putting himself in a position to succeed, not just on the basketball court but also at life.
The schools reportedly in the mix for Stokes along with the aforementioned Wildcats, Gators and Huskies, are Memphis, Tennessee, Arkansas and Ole Miss.
Here’s what the fuss is about – kid is a beast:
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He reminds me of Elton Brand