Is Mississippi State an option for 5-star wing Reggie Perry?
Mississippi State basketball has seen a rise in recruiting in Ben Howland’s short tenure. Can Howland add another five-star to his roster?
It is no secret that Ben Howland is one of the elite basketball recruiters in all of the nation. The long time coach knows the ins and outs of recruiting and is able to sell his vision to the most elite prospects around the country.
Since arriving to Mississippi State, Howland has landed two-five stars and a boat load of four-star prospects. Malik Newman and Mario Kegler didn’t exactly work out, but every other blue chip prospect that he has signed is still on the roster. Quinndary Weatherspoon was an All-SEC selection last season, Lamar Peters was named an All-SEC Freshman, and five-star combo guard Nick Weatherspoon will enroll this month.
Can Howland and company add yet another elite player to the roster?
Reggie Perry, a five-star combo forward that is from Georgia but plays in Arkansas’ AAU circuit, decommitted from the Razorbacks yesterday. The elite prospect is back on the market. Perry explained to Scout’s Evan Daniels that Fayetteville is simply too far from his ill father.
"“Unfortunately, I had to decomit tonight with Coach [Anderson] because of personal health issues with my father,” Perry said. “I have to do what is best for me and my family.”"
So, before I say more, I would like to say my prayers to Perry and his family during this difficult time. Health and family certainly trumps anything sports related.
But, back to the subject at hand.
Perry is rated as one of the best combo forwards across the land in the 2018 recruiting cycle. Able to play either out on the wing or the stretch-four position, it is no wonder why teams are hoping to land Perry. The talented forward averaged 15 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.5 steals, and 0.5 blocks at the Adidas Euro Camp, according to Real GM.
He knows how to put the ball into the hoop and can affect the game in more ways than one. At 6’9″ and 200 pounds, Perry possesses the size to both defend wings and battle bigger players in the paint. He is definitely one of the better prospects in the current recruiting class.
Why would he consider Mississippi State?
Well, the Perry family has big connections to Bulldogs basketball. Perry’s father, Al Perry, starred at Mississippi State from 1974-1978. The older Perry led the Southeastern Conference in assists over the course of both the ’75 and ’76 seasons. Al Perry’s 510 assists ranks third in MSU history, behind only Derrick Zimmerman’s 514 and Dee Bost’s 633.
There have also been rumors circulating that the younger Perry made a visit to Starkville last month. With Kegler off to Baylor, Howland is definitely looking for an elite wing to surround both Weatherspoons and Lamar Peters. As I wrote last week, the Bulldogs are after small forwards Robert Woodard and DJ Stewart. They are expected to land both.
Perry pulled his commitment to the Razorbacks because of his father’s health concerns. Fayetteville is over 13 hours away from his home in Thomasville, Georgia. Starkville is seven hours away. Still far, but makes it possible for an overnight trip. Will Perry want to be even closer to home? Alabama, Georgia, and Florida State were all factors in his recruitment before he pledged to the Hogs.
One thing for sure is that Ben Howland and ace recruiter Korey McCray will be recruiting hard to bring the elite forward to Starkville. This will be an interesting recruitment to watch unfold.
Next: MSU commit Marcus Murphy named a Dandy Dozen
Can the Bulldogs land three blue chip wings in the 2018 cycle? I wouldn’t doubt Ben Howland.