Oregon is making a late run at Class of 2017 wing Jordan Tucker, who is planning an official visit to the Pac-12 school in the coming weeks.
Lou Tucker, the player’s father, said Thursday no date had been set and it depends on what happens with the Ducks in the NCAA Tournament.
Oregon head coach Dana Altman and assistant Tony Stubblefield watched the 6-foot-7 Tucker play his final high school game Wednesday night at Marietta (GA) Wheeler, a 75-60 state playoff loss to McEachern. Georgia Tech head coach Josh Pastner was also in attendance.
March 1, 2017 my last high school game ever & I just want to thank White Plains, Stepinac and Wheeler for everything & the endless memories
— The Juice Man (@Therealjtucks) March 2, 2017
As first reported here in January, Oregon got involved late after Tucker, ranked No. 40 on the 2017 ESPN 100, had initially narrowed his focus to Villanova and Indiana.
“Oregon is trying to get in the mix, trying to make a late run based on relationships,” Lou Tucker said then.
Oregon likes Tucker’s versatility.
“They like his ability to shoot the ball and [his] versatility,” Lou said. “Somebody who can pass, shoot and make plays, and that’s pretty much what they’re selling. They allow all their 2s, 3s and 4s to make basketball plays and push the ball. Get it and push it, as opposed to waiting for the point guard.”
Meantime, Tucker took officials to Indiana in November and Villanova in December.
“Indiana’s message is basically they’re going to lose 2-3 guys next year and they need somebody to come in and be an impact scorer,” Lou said. “They should be losing their 2, 3 and 5 and they’re going to need some scoring, an impact scorer, impact player, somebody to make plays, a person to get people involved and just make the right basketball plays. And they feel they can develop him as a guard and not as a forward.”
Villanova head coach Jay Wright has also been in to see Tucker, who transferred during the summer from White Plains (N.Y.) Archbishop Stepinac.
“Villanova’s saying that in their system, they feel he’s going to strive,” Lou said. “They have good guard play and with them losing two players to graduation [Josh Hart and Kris Jenkins] there’s going to be a lot of time and a lot of opportunity for him to showcase his skillset.”
Tucker was initially planning to announce in February, but that obviously didn’t happen. When he commits, he will join fellow NY Rens Hamidou Diallo (Kentucky), Jordan Nwora (Louisville), Jose Alvarado (Georgia Tech), Jake Klores (Columbia) and Samson George (Iona).
