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James Blackmon Jr. Update


All_Hoosiers
  • See what recent IU de-commit James Blackmon Jr. has been up to and what he has to say on UK, UL, and IU.

After de-commiting from Indiana last week, James Blackmon Jr. has seen an explosion of attention. He's added offers from numerous schools, including UK and Louisville.

At the moment, Kentucky seems to be the favorites to land Blackmon. One national scouting director said, "If and when Cal offers, JB will be going to Kentucky." Blackmon is reportedly "intrigued" to follow his dad's footsteps at Kentucky, but says it isn't a main factor. One of Blackmon's AAU teammates, best friends, and fellow IU de-commit Trey Lyles is a big UK target, which could also intrigue JB. Blackmon told the Courier-Journal that chances are "big" he will take an official visit to Big Blue Madness in October, but is uncertain if Lyles will, also. Playing time as a freshman is a "main factor" to Blackmon. Since UK brings in elite talent each year, that may hamper their efforts to land Blackmon.

Blackmon is also intrigued with Louisville, especially after their national championship. JaQuan Lyle, another good friend and AAU teammate of Blackmon, is a UL commit, and Trey Lyles is also being recruited by Louisville, making the three a possible package deal. Blackmon has said he's talked to both Lyle and Lyles about possibly playing together. Blackmon plans to take an unofficial visit to Louisville on August 20, and will unofficially visit UK the same day.

Florida is also recruiting both Blackmon and Lyles and "each may take an official visit together to Gainseville," according to Blackmon and the Courier-Journal.

Blackmon has stated Indiana is still a key player in his recruitment. He tweeted "I still love Indiana," last week and said "they have a real big shot," to the Courier-Journal. Blackmon to C-J on Indiana: "I'm just looking at it. I think that would be a good place for me." Blackmon has previously said that he may take an official visit to Hoosier Hysteria on October 4.

No matter what he says publicly, odds are Blackmon won't re-commit to IU. Crean offered 2014 SG Isaiah Whitehead less than 24 hours after Blackmon's de-commitment with the pitch "Replace Blackmon." Indiana seems likely to land SG Rob Johnson, and will ramp-up their recruitment of SG Ahmed Hill. Blackmon doesn't appear to want to go to a school recruiting or signing so many players at his position, which greatly reduces the likelihood he'll be a Hoosier.

James Blackmon Jr. plans to commit and sign this fall.

See more on Blackmon via the Courier-Journal:

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To me, it sounds like Blackmon and Indiana are mutually interested in each other, but both feel that it just won't work out between them. Crean seems to be moving on, as does JBJ.

Blackmon mentioned to C-J that there's all sorts of UK stuff (pictures, memorabilia, etc.) all around his house. He's been groomed to go to and/or favor Kentucky since day one.

Rob Johnson is a good replacement for Blackmon, and Whitehead may be even better. Blackmon's de-commitment doesn't really hurt IUBB as much as Hoosier Nation first feared.

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