Five-Star point guard Immanuel Quickley has narrowed his college choices down to three schools. Miami Basketball along with Kansas and Kentucky are the finalists to land the ninth rated player in the class of 2018 according to the 247Sports composite rankings.
It’s almost a certainty Quickley will end up at Kentucky. According to Quickley’s 247 profile, the Wildcats are the 100 percent favorite to land Quickley.
Miami Basketball Head Coach Jim Larranaga and his staff have not shied away from going after the best players in the country. They landed Lonnie Walker in this year’s class over Arizona and Villanova. They also got All-Americans Bruce Brown and Dewan Huell in the class of 2016.
Quickley narrowed his choices down to three schools after eliminating Maryland. That had to be disheartening to Terrapin fans to lose the home state product from John Carroll High School in Bel Air, Maryland.
Quickley said he is still considering Miami because of the relationship he has with the coaching staff. He likes the way player development is highlighted at Kansas. The chance to play for Calipari is what intrigues him about Kentucky.
If Larranaga could somehow convince Brown and Walker to return for the 2018-19 season and team Quickley with them Miami would likely have the best backcourt in the country.
Calipari had the advantage of coaching Quickley in the FIBA Under 19 World Championship this summer. Calipari, Quickley and the United States team brought back the Gold Medal.
FanSided
Talking about his experience playing for the Kentucky Headman Quickley said:
"“It was really cool, just get to know him on and off the floor…We got to spend time in Egypt touring and stuff like that, getting on camels and just really getting to know him off the court.”"
Should the Hurricanes land the upset and sign Quickley he can be a transcendent player like Walker and Brown. The 6’3 175 pound point guard is ranked third in the class and the ninth best player overall.
It seems like a foregone conclusion that Kentucky is going to land Quickley. A lot can change between now and signing day though. Arizona had an 80 percent chance to sign Walker according to 247 last year before he signed with Miami.
The combination of Walker and Brown this season can only continue to reinforce what Miami is doing on the basketball court. Larranaga has gotten the fan base to buy into basketball.
The basketball team has thrived drawing fans at the Watsco Center over the last few seasons. Miami basketball sold out every game the last two seasons.
Next: Miami Basketball and Jim Larranaga Continue to be Doubted
With the players returning this season, the class coming in and UM aiming for a third straight NCAA Tournament for the second time in school history Larranaga has built more than just a great team he has a great program headed towards being at the top of the ACC consistently.