Tuesday, 14 May 2013

All Eyes on 5-Star SG Rashad Vaughn Following Andrew Wiggins' Decision

Andrew Wiggins has finally made his choice of college known. The ultra-talented swingman will play at least one season with the Kansas Jayhawks, per Jim Halley of USA Today.

By not choosing the Kentucky Wildcats, Wiggins took a huge step away from receiving LeBron James-like hate from the masses.

Had he chosen the Wildcats, he could have easily fallen into the category of the "perfect" superstar, on the nearly "perfect" team, that many fans hate for being so perfect.

The Wildcats already have six of the top-10 rated players in the country headed to Lexington. Critics would have taken shots at Wiggins for jumping on board for the ride.

While Wiggins' saga is over, the college—and high school basketball worlds—should brace itself for another game of Where Will He Attend with Rashad Vaughn.

Per 247 Sports, Vaughn is the No. 8 prospect in the nation and currently uncommitted. The 6'5 shooting guard from Minneapolis, Minn. is considering many of the usual suspects: North Carolina, Kansas, Louisville, Kentucky and one long shot, Iowa State.

Per Jeff Borzello of CBS Sports, in-state Minnesota is also an interesting possibility. Per ZagsBlog, Vaughn visited the campus and they report:

[Richard]Pitino has made Vaughn a priority at Minnesota and attended every one of his games with assistant Kimani Young after Vaughn recently visited the campus and met the new staff.

Even though Pitino is pursuing Vaughn, it is acknowledged by both 247 Sports and Borzello, that the Tar Heels seem to have an edge in the pursuit of the coveted recruit.

At 6'5" 200 pounds, he already has the requisite size to play 2-guard in the NBA. He has great range on his jump shot, a quick first step, leaping ability and the handle to beat his man off the dribble.

Beyond that, what makes the No. 8 player in the nation's decision so polarizing? After all, he isn't currently considered the best—committed or non-committed—in his class.

Vaughn's case grabs attention because choosing a college for 2014 will be preceded by choosing a high school for 2013.

Per Borzello, Vaughn is currently deciding between Huntington Prep (W.Va.), Findlay Prep (Nev.), Oak Hill Academy (Va.) and Brewster Academy (N.H.) and returning to his 2013 school, Robbinsdale Cooper (Minn.) is not out of the question.

It is clear this young man has his eyes on the prize. He's preparing himself for his professional future, which would seemingly culminate in the NBA. There is no shame in this career path, though some may frown upon it and the spotlight it creates.

We want our children to know what they want in life and to go after it. The first line of Vaughn's Twitter profile description reads "#DREAM CHASING"and he's doing just that.

With that chase comes tons of attention and with that attention comes scrutiny. Wiggins found that out first hand during his long process of choosing a school. Overall, he handled it well and he likely infuriated the smallest amount of people by choosing Kansas.

In the end, he wouldn't have been wrong to join the superstar recruiting class headed to Lexington. His only responsibility is to do what's best for him and his family at this point.

Via: Filipe Luis: "sooner or later, history will change"

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