#OTRHoopsReport: A Pair of SEC schools receive commitments – Aug 3, 2018

Donate Allen recruitment took off during the month of July. 

Alabama Gets Commitment From Mississippi’s Finest

A couple of weeks ago the University of Alabama lost out on Florida native Diante Smith as he committed to the Tide only to back out a week later, but today Head Coach Avery Johnson filled that void with a commitment from Mississippi Express wing Jaylen Forbes.  After visiting Tuscaloosa back in June Forbes ultimately chose Alabama over UAB, Murray St, and Kansas St.

A native of Florence, Mississippi the 6’5 Forbes averaged 28 points per game during his junior year of high school. This summer while playing with Team Rodney Hood in the Nike EYBL Forbes brought his scoring to the table as he averaged 19 points a contest, but what really sparked the interest of the coaches at Alabama is his ability to shoot from behind the arc consistently.  Forbes’ commitment gives Alabama their second pledge of the 2019 class along with 6’6 Juwan Gary from Columbia, South Carolina.

RESPECT MY DECISION ‼️#ROLLTIDE?⚪️? pic.twitter.com/QzurqyGMRP

— CBGJay2️⃣3️⃣ (@G0LDENJAY23) August 2, 2018

Hometown Kid Picks Cats

Pendleton County’s 6’6 Dontaie Allen made a big splash this July in Atlanta at the Under Armour Challenge were he lead the tournament in scoring at 26 points a game, accompanied by 6 rebounds and 4 assists which included three 30 point outings in six games.  Allen drew a big time crowd at each game on the coaching side and he more than delivered as he came away from the event with offers from Clemson, Illinois, Louisville, Florida, Oklahoma and a host of others.  In the end the allure Big Blue Nation was to much as Allen committed to the Kentucky Wildcats a day after he visited campus unofficially.  

Just like Alabama, Calipari and staff lost a player this week that they had committed in Mississippi born DJ Jefferies so the commitment from Allen was right on time.  After watching Kentucly’s team last year its clear that the staff is putting an emphasis on versatile players that can shoot the ball and Allen falls into that category.  Being from the state of Kentucky and watching the Wildcats play as he has grown up no doubt played a huge part in Allen’sdecision to stay home and become part of the best show in town.

M.A.T.T.S Mustangs @MustangsMatts guard Dontaie Allen @dontaieallen11 constantly showed that he is capable of being a dominant scorer among the stars

He plays the game in an attack mode offensively and is always a triple threat to shoot, drive, or pass

— Shun Williams (@OntheRadarHoops) July 15, 2018

Kerry Willis is a contributor to On the Radar Hoops