By ADAM ZAGORIA & SEAN BOCK
Bryan Antoine and Scottie Lewis, the two Class of 2019 stars from Team Rio and the Ranney (N.J.) School, wrapped up their in-home visits this week and are targeting college decisions by the early signing period in November.
“They will be taking official visits in August/September and hope to have a final decision prior to the start of their senior year of high school basketball in November,” Team Rio director Brian Klatsky told ZAGSBLOG.
The duo concluded their home visits Wednesday night when Villanova coach Jay Wright and three assistants — the reigning NCAA champions – had separate home visits with each player.
GQ Jay and the @NovaMBB staff went 4 deep last night with 2019 studs @Scott_lewis_23 and @BryanAntoine_
Story coming. pic.twitter.com/SKnRRtGoOC
— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) April 19, 2018
If either or both players end up at Villanova, it’s possible the Wildcats could produce their first one-and-done since Tim Thomas in 1997. One mock draft for 2020 has Lewis projected as the No. 4 pick and Antoine at No. 7.
Previously, the duo had home visits with Florida, Duke and Kentucky, while St. John’s met on the weekend with Lewis only.
Memphis was supposed to come on Sunday but ended up not taking the trip.
College coaches raving about the Class of 2019 talent in NY/NJ. Per ESPN rankings:
No. 6 – Cole Anthony
No. 7 – Bryan Antoine
No. 8 – Scottie Lewis
No. 12 – Precious Achiuwa
No. 37 – Aidan Igiehon
No. 38 – Kofi Cockburn
No. 42 – Kahlil WhitneyNo. 10-Jalen Lecque from The Bronx pic.twitter.com/Bn2BUCvDxn
— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) April 18, 2018
“It’s been an absolutely great week of home visits for me,” Lewis said on Instagram after the St. John’s visit. “I’ve gotten a chance to really have a one on one conversation with some of the best coaches ever. This week I’ve learned so much. Not just about their schools, how they coach, what they vision, but a lot about myself, what I’m looking for, and most importantly the player I hope to become and who will get me there.”
Antoine and Lewis will be playing in Dallas this weekend with Team Rio, and the coaches from each of the aforementioned schools are expected to watch.
The 6-foot-4 Antoine is ranked No. 7 in the 2019 ESPN 60, while the 6-foot-5 Lewis is ranked No. 8.
Lewis currently lists St. John’s, Duke, Seton Hall, Maryland, Villanova, Stanford, Kentucky, Kansas, Florida, Harvard, North Carolina and Colgate as his 12 schools, but said he planned to cut that list and add Notre Dame.
Antoine does not have a list at this point.
“I’m keeping my options open,” he told me at the USA Basketball event in San Antonio on Saturday. “I still haven’t found that right school yet.”
Antoine plans to cut his list to about eight schools soon.
“I think I’m going to cut my list before the first [live] session in April,” he said.
Meantime, both players will also compete in the US U18 trials next month in Colorado Springs with an eye toward playing on the U18 team under Kansas coach Bill Self in the FIBA Americas Championship in St. Catharine’s, Ontario in June. Cole Anthony, another top Class of 2019 recruit from Archbishop Molloy, will also try out for the U18 team.
“They had great home visits,” Klatsky said. “Each coach did a fantastic job sharing their visions and thoughts. Both are now focused on spring basketball with Team Rio and preparing for USA U18 in June.”
