By JACK LeGWIN
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Coming off an 18-point performance Wednesday night in Marietta (GA) Wheeler’s win over the Cannon School (N.C.) at the Chick-Fil-A Classic, Jordan Tucker discussed his final two schools — Indiana and Villanova — and his decision timeline.
The 6-foot-7 Tucker said the visit to see Indiana play North Carolina on Nov. 30 was a positive experience because he got to see the time leading up to the game.
“It was good,” Tucker said. “The atmosphere was crazy there. I went there for the UNC game, and was there for two days. Their preparation for the game was really intense, the workouts, lifting, film room. I really got to see it translate to the court. They said they’re going to push me, like any other school, they said they really want to develop me as a player, make me more efficient and get me ready for the next level.”
As for Villanova, which he saw Dec. 13 for the Temple game, Tucker says that Wildcats head coach Jay Wright said he’s going to fill a role of a scorer in their system.
“Just to come in and be a scorer,” Tucker said. “They want someone who can shoot it, kind of like Kris Jenkins. Tall, lanky shooter who can score the ball. The trip there was really good. All of my family is from New York, so that trip was really good.”
Villanova associate head coach Baker Dunleavy also watched Tucker Thursday night.
Jordan Tucker (@Therealjtucks) had his Chick-Fil-A for breakfast this morning?
WATCH @CFAClassic: https://t.co/2XFV7PTxLO pic.twitter.com/WIJ3vcmZSp
— FloHoops (@FloHoops) December 21, 2016
Tucker, who transferred to Wheeler from White Plains (N.Y.) Archbishop Stepinac for his senior season, that he will be looking at location a bit, because of the amount of family he has in the New York area, and that location will factor into his decision.
“I’ve been away for a while, and I’d kind of like to have my family be able to see me play,” Tucker said. “Indiana plays a lot of games in the Northeast, the Big Ten Tournament is in the North, and they played North Carolina at the Barclays. It could work either way. I don’t want to focus on location by itself, but I do want to find what the best fit is for me.”
Looking towards the timetable for his decision, he’s going to be looking at making a decision within the next month or so.
“Either January or early February for me I think,” Tucker said. “I’m just looking to see who’s ready to leave as well as playing time.”
With players possibly leaving to go to the NBA, Tucker says that he believes that will factor greatly into his decision.
“For Indiana, if O.G. (Anunoby) left and James Blackmon stayed, I feel like I’d be comfortable with the situation,” Tucker said. “With Nova, if Mikal Bridges left, that would probably be the guy there.”
With Jermaine Samuels having already committed to Villanova, Samuels is recruiting Tucker to join him.
“Yeah, I really like Jermaine,” Tucker said. “I speak with him a lot, and he’s trying to get me to come to Villanova.”
Photo: Hardy LeGwin
