Looks like LSU made a huge play for O'Bryant this week and looking really good for a LSU commitment as early as tomorrow over Ole Miss.
I don't know if this means anything, but on this page of rivals website it list him as going to LSU. This is the top 50 pf page I believe. LSU! Yahoo Sports: Rivals.com Ranking - 2011: Power forwards also on his player profile Johnny O'Bryant - Yahoo! Sports
nola.com says we've got O'Bryant as well: LSU basketball reportedly gets commitment from five-star forward Johnny O'Bryant | NOLA.com
They are using the Rivals info too. One of the writers jumped the gun and moved him to a commitment. Could announce today or early next week.
All true. Folks around Tigerland have pronounced it but the fat lady has not yet sung. I'm hopeful, but still have the Noel Johnson sting on my mind (I wonder if he's regretting that decision?). That said, many things point in our favor (see my earlier post about why LSU just adds up for JOB). You'd hope that Rivals wouldn't have gotten it wrong. I think that Maryland pundits have all but conceded the LSU signing... Terp Basketball Recruiting Target Johnny O'Bryant to LSU? - Testudo Times For those who haven't seen the kid play, there's plenty on the web on ESPN, Youtube to view: [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qI3ytyZ3vIQ]YouTube - USA Basketball DNT - Johnny O'Bryant[/ame] Johnny O'Bryant 2011 Basketball Recruiting Videos - ESPN If this ends up coming to fruition next week, and there isn't some last minute home cooking to sway the vote, I think this signals some VERY positive trends for LSU. First, while Trent had a VERY good recruiting class in 2010, this says something different to me. With only 2 schollies to give in 2011, Trent zeroed in on his top recruit and first Top 40 recruit (top 15 on some accounts) and landed him. If JOB signs wth LSU, LSU would have again, landed the BEST player out of Mississippi and Louisiana, with their only two schollies. It dispells the myth that "top" talent don't want to play in Trent's system and more importantly, shows that top talent want to win, play with a good coach, have a chance to win and develop (in however long it takes) to get to the NBA. Coach Cal is always going to be going after the college all-star one and doners, but Trent is systematically going after kids that make his team better and can commit to a longer-term plan. I am also encouraged by his focus--focus on LA, Mississippi, hotbeds in Texas, and occassionally reach into AL and GA--lock up the LSU "perimeter"--he is obviously, in a short period of time listening to advisors close to LSU and getting into (quietly, but assertively) into the right circles, AAU programs, etc. As the LSU boat rises, kids from other parts of the country will eventually WANT to come to LSU (see Dotson and Hamilton from West Coast, see new practice facility). It also sets the tone for 2012 recruiting with consistency. How often did LSU "reload" with big classes, only to lay an egg the next year? With O'Bryant and Isaac committing to LSU (a top PF/Center and a very good combo guard), it makes for a smoother transition from a deep 2010 class to another deep class in 2012. Ricardo Gathers, Javon Felix, and others could very well continue the momentum and in turn, they'll want to come knowing that a kid like Johnny O'Bryant is here (as much as we tend to ignore it, good kids want to play with other good kids--see Lebron James, Chris Bosh). With three solid recruiting classes in a row, LSU will finally get to that situation where we have 9-10 deep in very talented players. That is what is needed to win a NC folks. I'm really very psyched about this commitment, because if you had asked me even 4-6 months ago what our chances of landing JOB were, I'd say maybe 10%. My only question mark with Trent coming into LSU was his recruiting, and his relatively unknown staff's ability to recruit. He's taking the LSU platform, and improving it recruit by recruit, folks. Pay attention... LSU BASKETBALL IS BACK! :grin:
I really hope you're right. I'm ready to be excited about LSU basketball again. I don't even need championships - just good seasons and a chance to win the SEC tournament.
He looked pretty good in that video going against what looked to be legit competition. His post moves look good, but his shooting motion looks really wild. I'd think he plays center for LSU, hopefully he can defend other big players. What's nice is that it looks like he can get the ball outside the lane and use some moves to get around a defender and get to the basket.
I heard someone within the Ole Miss program was saying this would be a major blow to the program and many thought this was a must get for the head coach and his job security. Even going as far as comparing it to losing Peyton Manning to Tennessee.
Ole Miss hasn't been to the NCAA tournament in almost a decade. They aren't entitled to any recruits anywhere for basketball.
