Kris Wilkes and Paul Scruggs: The Most Important Indiana Recruits Since Yogi
By Edward Koton
With the importance of keeping top Indiana talent in-state, it’s time to start talking about the Class of 2017’s Kris Wilkes and Paul Scruggs
Quite simply, Kris Wilkes and Paul Scruggs are the two most important potential recruits for Indiana since Yogi Ferrell.
Kris Wilkes is a 6-7, 190-pound small forward from Indianapolis, IN. According to 247Sports, Wilkes is the 17th best player in the country. In addition to that, he is the fifth-best small forward in the country. Most Importantly, he’s the number one player in the state of Indiana.
Paul Scruggs is a 6-4, 200-pound point guard from Indianapolis, IN. According to 247Sports, Scruggs is the 29th best player in the country. In addition to that, he is the fifth-best point guard in the country. Most Importantly, he’s the number three player in the state of Indiana.
Both top prospects have been on Indiana’s radar since they entered high school. Scruggs received a scholarship offer in eighth grade, and Wilkes receiving one freshman year.
Both recruits play on the same AAU team for the Indy Hoosiers, and the thought of keeping that duo together has been on the mind of coach Tom Crean for a while now.
Every few years, top collegiate programs find these team defining prospects that will shape the build of their team for years to come. The Hoosiers have had a few of those in the past, most recently with James Blackmon Jr. two years ago, Yogi Ferrell two years before that, and Cody Zeller two years before that. These are guys that change a program, and rarely do two of them come along at the same time.
Kris Wilkes and Paul Scruggs have the ability to establish a “Jahlil Okafor and Tyus Jones” type partnership that could lead Indiana to success just like the Duke Blue Devils, who won the title last year.
Of course, just because you have the ability to do something, doesn’t mean you will.
As time has passed, other teams have gotten into the race for the two of them. The most prominent team that seems to provide the most competition for Indiana? Kentucky.
Tom Crean has attempted to do his best to show dedication and build relationships with these prospects as he has attended multiple high school games and offered them various unofficial visit opportunities. Kris Wilkes has unofficially visited Indiana seven times and Kentucky three times. Paul Scruggs has unofficially visited Indiana six times and Kentucky once.
One of those visits came recently for both Wilkes and Scruggs as they were both in attendance for Indiana’s blowout against Ohio State.
Tom Crean also paid a visit to Wilkes two days ago, while assistant coach Chuck Martin came to watch Scruggs play. Crean was also in attendance last night when the two faced off against each other.
Unfortunately, Crean wasn’t the only one there, as Kentucky also sent assistant Tony Barbee, who played at North Central HS, to watch the matchup.
Scruggs ended the game with 21 points and Wilkes put up a respectable 18.
Now, how important are these two recruits to not only Indiana but also Coach Tom Crean?
Tom Crean’s Job Security
Heading into this season, Tom Crean’s job security was already in question. Without playoff success this season, many will want him run out of town. If that isn’t an issue, not securing at least one of these top talents will be. Missing out on a potentially remarkable recruiting class could possibly send Tom Crean out the door.
You can’t lose Recruits to Rivals
No matter how you slice it, Kentucky is one of Indiana’s biggest rivals. Losing talent like this can be detrimental to a fanbase. Indiana won the James Blackmon Jr. fight but lost the Trey Lyles one. Wilkes and Scruggs could be the worst loss of them all.
You have to keep Indiana Talent in the State of Indiana
Keeping talent like Yogi Ferrell, James Blackmon Jr., and Cody Zeller in-state has been huge for this program. It sends a message and sets a precedent that our state’s top players aren’t leaving. The only way to build upon program success and establish yourself as THE Indiana Basketball Program is to keep top talent in-state.
Potential Build Off Point for an Incredible Class
There are many other potential recruits from the class of 2017 considering offers from Indiana. This includes Micheal Porter, Malik Williams, Zach Gunn, and Jordan Tucker. Wilkes and Scruggs paired with any of these guys could be legendary.Build off point for future Indiana talent
Potential Build Off Point for Future Indiana Talent
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Romeo Langford is the top talent from Indiana in the class of 2018. Langford visited IU with Zach Gunn, Scruggs, and Wilkes when Indiana defeated Ohio State. Scruggs and Wilkes could be the build off point for not only the class of 2017 but also future Indiana talent.