Eli Boettger | @boettger_eli | 04/16/20
Welcome back to Three Things!
The intention of Three Things is simple: Keeping you informed. The offseason can be a busy time and college basketball isn’t always on everyone’s radars from April to October.
Here’s how it will work: Every morning, Monday through Friday, we will provide you with three things that you need to know from the previous day. Pretty simple, right? You’ll be amazed by your new college basketball wisdom!
Here are the three things you need to know for April 16.
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Kentucky loses another one
John Calipari will have his hands full with a bunch of youngsters in ’20-21. EJ Montgomery announced Wednesday that he will be headed to the NBA Draft and forgo his final two years of college eligibility.
Montgomery ranked 10th overall in the 2018 class, averaging 3.8 points per game as a freshman and 6.1 as a sophomore. The 6-10 forward is yet another Wildcats pro declaration this offseason, as Keion Brooks is now the only returning player from the ’19-20 squad. Calipari’s No. 1-ranked 2020 freshman class will need to step up in a big way in what is shaping up to be one of Kentucky’s youngest teams ever.
DJ Carton commits
Wednesday marked a big win for Steve Wojciechowski’s staff. Former Ohio State guard DJ Carton committed to Marquette on social media, adding a huge boost to future Golden Eagle backcourts.
Carton, who ranked 31st overall in the 2019 class, spent his freshman year with the Buckeyes before choosing to enter the transfer portal. The 6-2 Iowa native averaged 23.9 minutes and 10.4 points in his 20 appearances this past season. Carton took a leave of absence from the team due to mental health reasons during the season and didn’t appear in another game the remainder of the campaign. As it currently stands, Carton would be a sit-out transfer with three years of eligibility beginning in ’21-22.
G League looks to lure recruits
Is the G League becoming the next big threat to college basketball? Conversations have swirled on social media in recent days over the presence of the NBA’s developmental league as high-level recruits are expressing interest in skipping college for the G League before becoming eligible for the NBA Draft.
According to a report Wednesday by 24/7Sports’ Evan Daniels, the G League is “now willing to pay more for the right prospects” compared to a previously reported figure of $125,000 for the nation’s top recruits. Two of the top 2019 recruits — LaMelo Ball and R.J. Hampton — played overseas this past season while current 2020 prospects Isaiah Todd — who decommitted from Michigan Tuesday — and Jalen Green — who announces his decision Thursday — have both been tied to professional options. Despite recent momentum, the G League is still looking for its first-ever high school signee.
Eli Boettger is a college basketball writer and founder of HeatCheckCBB.com. He has previously worked for Sporting News, DAZN and USA TODAY SMG.
Boettger’s content has been featured by Bleacher Report, NBC Sports, FiveThirtyEight, Yahoo Sports, Athletic Director University, Washington Post, Illinois Law Review and Notre Dame Law Review, among other publications. Boettger is also a current USBWA member and Rockin’ 25 voter.