Darius Perry, a 6-foot-2 point guard from Marietta (GA) Wheeler, pledged to Louisville over home-state Georgia, becoming Rick Pitino’s second commit in the Class of 2017.
Louisville also recently landed 7-foot Indiana big man Malik Williams.
“I went down to Louisville and I got to watch them practice and see how Pitino works and see that kind of environment,” Perry, ranked the No. 14 point guard by 247Sports.com, told Scout.com of his Aug. 3 visit. “I got a good feel for the people I’m going to be around, the town I’m going to be in and how the team is going to be.”
“Louisville has always been a school, I wouldn’t say dream school, but always been a school that I’ve considered going to since before they were even recruiting me,” he added. “It was really neck and neck between them and Georgia and it was a really hard decision, probably the hardest decision that I’ll have to make. It was hard to tell Georgia no, but me and dad I talked about it and decided that was right for me.”
KEVIN SAMUEL TO TCU
Kevin Samuel, a 6-10 center from Houston (TX) Homeschool Redemption Academy, pledged to TCU coach Jamie Dixon.
He also considered Houston, Texas A&M and Kansas State.
“Kevin really liked the coaching staff,” said RCHA director and head coach Ed Chung. “He was impressed with Coach Dixon’s plan to build the program. He loved the facilities and the campus in general. And he wanted to stay in Texas.
“Kevin is a natural shot-blocker and a good rebounder. He has good hands. He is very coachable and is a competitor. Don’t be fooled by his laid back demeanor.”
Samuel joins 6-4 point guard R.C. Nembhard and power forward 6-7 Kouat Noi in TCU’s 2017 class.
IRA LEE, AAMIR SIMS AND DARIUS McNEIL CUT LISTS
Several high-profile players have cut their lists in recent days.
**Ira Lee, a strong blue-collar power forward from Earl Watson Elite, is down to Texas, Oregon, Cal, Arizona and Maryland.
My final 5 ???? pic.twitter.com/w0vZW1F3G6
— Ira Lee (@iramandoesit) August 17, 2016
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**Aamir Simms, a 6-7 small forward from Dyke (VA) Blue Ridge School, cut his list to six: VCU, Iowa State, Miami, Clemson, Pitt, VCU and Notre Dame.
Aamir Simms @EarlShmitty_ has cut his list down to 6 ???????????????????? pic.twitter.com/eTJ27NVZ0p
— A.WigginsTeam Loaded (@teamloadedaau) August 17, 2016
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**Darius McNeil, a 6-2 shooting guard from Houston (TX) Westfield, cut to six in SMU, Cincinnati, Iowa State, Texas, UConn and Florida, according to Corey Evans. He does not hold offers from UConn, Texas or Florida yet. Texas and UConn plan on visiting his school in September, he told Jacob Polacheck of SNY.tv.
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