Simi Shittu, the 6-foot-10 power forward from Vermont Academy and CIA Bounce, is eyeing a college decision sometime in December.
After ZAGSBLOG recently reported a December timeframe, Shittu told reporters at the National Prep Showcase on Sunday that he would announce “in a few weeks.”
“Right now, I am still talking to my family,” he told Rivals.com after going for 25 points and 14 rebounds in an 78-69 loss to The Academy Spain on Sunday. “I am going to make a decision in a few weeks.”
Included in Shittu’s 25 point-outburst was this ferocious dunk that could’ve been a SportsCenter Top 10 highlight.
@VTAcademyHoops Simi Shittu 18’ (@LanX_Sims) w/ the highlight of the weekend !!!! Dunk of the year contender @NERRHoops @AdamFinkelstein @EliteMixtapesNC @NorthPoleHoops @HoopDiamonds @d0nniebui pic.twitter.com/nkiiwcyD20
— RIA 401? (@RIAFFILIATED) November 19, 2017
Ranked No. 6 in the 2018 ESPN 100, Shittu has taken only one official visit — to Vanderbilt — and he enjoyed it.
“It is a great school and I had a great visit,” he told Rivals. “It was good. I am still in contact with UNC a little bit. We are still just talking about when I am going to make my decision.”
Shittu did not take his scheduled official to North Carolina Nov. 10 after the Tar Heels landed a pledge from Orlando Christian Prep win Nassir Little.
Vanderbilt appears to be the favorite, especially after landing five-star point guard Darius Garland, who quickly set about recruiting Shittu and five-star shooting guard Romeo Langford, who cut his list to Vanderbilt, Indiana and Kansas.
“He is actively recruiting both guys to come with him to Vandy,” Jamal Richardson, Garland’s trainer, told ZAGSBLOG.“They have the potential to be a Final Four-caliber team with adding those two dynamic players.”
Speaking last week on The 4 Quarters Podcast, Vanderbilt coach Bryce Drew said he sees Garland as a key building block going forward.
“We’re off to a great start,” Drew said. “Our first signee was [small forward] Aaron Nesmith from South Carolina, who we feel is going to be a great player for us, one of the best shooters in the 2018 class. And then with Darius, we see him as the best point guard in the class.
“We got two great pieces and so obviously we’re still recruiting, but I think those are two intriguing parts to hopefully attract others.”
Wherever he lands, Shittu hopes to be a one-and-done. He recently told ZAGSBLOG that was his goal.
“Yeah,” he said, “it is.”
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