Oregon is making a late run at Class of 2017 wing Jordan Tucker, who is primarily focusing on Indiana and Villanova and is targeting a decision next month.
Oregon assistant Tony Stubblefield and Indiana assistant Chuck Martin were in to see the 6-foot-7 Tucker on Thursday morning at Marietta (GA) Wheeler.
“Oregon is trying to get in the mix, trying to make a late run based on relationships,” Lou Tucker, Jordan’s father, said by phone.
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.”
Asked if Jordan might visit Oregon, Lou said, “I don’t know yet. They just came down here and wanted to visit practice and chop it up and see if there’s any interest or anything. So we just sat and listened.”
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 is planning to announce sometime in February on ESPN. He would join fellow NY Rens Hamidou Diallo (Kentucky), Jordan Nwora (Louisville), Jose Alvarado (Georgia Tech), Jake Klores (Columbia) and Samson George (Iona), who will enroll this semester at Iona.
“He’s definitely going to announce on ESPN with Paul Biancardi,” he said. “We just don’t know when.”
