A glimpse into the future

After some serious Summer Reading (hope everyone enjoyed that series) and lots of work writing for The Almanac (more on that below), I’m back into a regular day for The Field of 68 Daily.

At least until Mike decides to tweak the lineup again. Until then, I’m on Twitter @SeanPaulCBB. Hit me up anytime to talk hoops.

Let’s get to the news.

THREE POINTERS

1. 247 drops its 2024 rankings

The 2022 fall recruiting period is still open and the 2023 prospects have barely begun their senior year of high school, but Wednesday was a good day to start thinking about 2024.

That’s because 247Sports updated its 2024 rankings. It shifted 65 new players into its Top 150, including a new No. 1 in guard Tre Johnson. They dove into that process here, but we’ll get into some other notable players below:

• One new entrant is 6-9 center Flory Bidunga from Kokomo, Ind. Previously unranked, he’s the top-rated center and holds offers from blue bloods like Kansas and Indiana, not to mention other notable programs like Auburn, Creighton and Purdue. As a top-five recruit, Bidunga will continue to see his list of potential suitors grow.

• Also new to the top 10 is 6-4 combo guard Dylan Harper from Don Bosco Prep (N.J.). He rose more than 30 spots and analysts now view him as one of the top backcourt players in the class. Yes, he’s the younger brother of former Rutgers standout and current Toronto Raptor, Ron Harper Jr. and son of five-time NBA champion Ron Harper Sr.

• From the West Coast, 6-8 wing Carter Bryant (Sage Hill, Calif.) jumped from number 24 to number seven. On Wednesday, Bryant secured an offer from Duke and received interest from Gonzaga, Texas, Wyoming and Nebraska this week. Arizona is reportedly the leader for the sweet-shooting wing right now.

• Juke Harris jumped from unranked to number 50. The 6-4 guard from Salisbury (N.C.) parlayed a strong summer into offers from premier programs like Tennessee and Virginia. He’s a three-level scorer who is sure to land even more offers if he continues to shine on the circuit.

More names to know can be found here. And the full Top 10, via 247.

2. Hoos next?

Tony Bennett’s week got a lot better on Wednesday.

Elijah Gertrude, a 6-foot-4 wing, joined forward Blake Buchanan in Virginia’s 2023 class. A 4-star recruit from New Jersey, Gertrude is known for his impressive athleticism and — yes, great defensive potential. You aren’t playing big minutes unless you play stout defense in Bennett’s pack line scheme.

The Cavaliers will lose super seniors Kihei Clark, Jayden Gardner and incoming Ohio transfer Ben Vander Plas in 2023, which could allow Gertrude to play substantial minutes right away. He also doesn’t project to be a one-and-done player.

Gertrude told On3.com: “Having the chance to be able to play with and for a group of guys like everyone at UVA is a blessing. Coach (Tony) Bennett is an amazing coach that works to develop his players and that’s something I want to be a part of.”

3. Tweaks coming to transfer windows?

The NCAA adopted changes to the transfer process on Aug. 31 (a 60-day window is now in place, more here), but we may see even more refinements. The Athletic reports that the D-I Council is expected to consider emergency legislation next week to exempt students from transfer windows who are pursuing graduate degrees at a different school.

So players who received a degree potentially could evade the transfer window, which non-grad transfers cannot do. It’s certainly akin to Proposal 2005-54, which kicked off much of the current transfer movement. (Any student enrolled in a graduate program not offered at their original school would be immediately eligible.)

It makes sense as a further refinement to the transfer process.

The following also makes sense. Limiting it to 30 days seems a little unnecessary, but I suppose there should be limits.

HAVE YOUR COPY OF THE ALMANAC?

Everything to know about the Ohio Valley

We’ve heavily promoted The Almanac in the last few weeks, but the advertising has mostly focused on the bigger schools and conferences.

Seems like the perfect time to mention I wrote the previews for all 10 Ohio Valley schools, which meant talking to each coach, confirming which players are on the roster (not always an easy thing with the transfer portal) and providing a detailed analysis for 2022-23.

When you buy it, tell ‘em Sean sent you. Or just use promo code HOOPS to save some money before Sept. 27.

THE FAST BREAK

Links as you wear your Patagonia gear with pride.

• MWC Commissioner Craig Thompson is retiring at the end of the calendar year. He’s led the league since it formed in 1998.

• The Pac-12’s next media right might not be with ESPN, Fox or any other broadcaster. It might be with Amazon.

• D1 athletic departments had an average turnover rate of 48% from fall 2019 to summer 2022 — almost double corporate America.

THE DTF PODCAST

Bronny’s basketball future

Let’s say Bronny James spends a year, maybe two in college before playing with LeBron in the NBA (that’s dad’s current plan). Where would be the best place for him?

The guys from the DTF podcast discuss that it’s not a simple choice for Bronny — or the program that lands the 2023 guard. Have a watch.

Subscribe to The Field of 68 on YouTube here and subscribe to the DTF podcast here.

BROUGHT TO YOU BY PLUM DELUXE TEA

Maybe you know Plum Deluxe for its tea of the month club. Or as the leading tea subscription and one of the most well-liked “surprise and delight” subscriptions. Whatever it is, they know once you try it, you’ll want more. That’s why there’s free shipping on all purchases.

Subscribe today to get 20% off! 

To sponsor a future Field of 68 Daily newsletter, please connect with us here. For article ideas, newsletter feedback, tips and more, shoot us a note at [email protected].