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Now that Tyler Dorsey is declaring for the NBA Draft, Oregon basketball has an opportunity to secure the No. 6 high school prospect in the country, Brandon McCoy. UO already possesses the No. 8 recruiting class for the 2017 collegiate season.
Growing up minutes from the United Center on Chicago’s West Side, McCoy can’t help but reflect as the lone representative of his city in the 2017 McDonald’s All-American Game.
“I really miss Chicago,” said McCoy said. “I see the streets that I was on and the houses I was living, you know? It's crazy.”
Nevertheless, his family moved him to San Diego when he was 14 years old. Don’t be surprised if he stays on the west coast, even with East Lansing just 223 miles from where he grew up.
The Ducks had all 13 scholarships accounted for before Dorsey’s departure on Monday. His presence will be missed on the floor, but the new roster opening could go a long way in deciding the future dreams of Duck fans everywhere.
According to sources close to McCoy, he was waiting patiently on Dorsey, Dillon Brooks and Jordan Bell to make their professional decisions. If any of the three declared for the NBA, McCoy would commit to the Ducks. If all three stayed in Eugene, he would take his talent to East Lansing, Michigan with head coach Tom Izzo.
Regardless, a decision should be coming momentarily.
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The hard part of saying goodbye to “Mr. March” is over. Now, we wait patiently on McCoy to determine his future team. With his commitment to Oregon, the Ducks could assume the No. 1 overall spot in the 2017 recruiting class ranks. He is a game-changer.
At 6-foot-10, the San Diego resident and Chicago product could change the destiny of the program he chooses. If he decided on Oregon, McCoy would become the highest-rated prospect to sign with the Ducks in program history. The 5-star forward would pass his future teammate and current 5-star commit Troy Brown Jr. from Las Vegas.
The No. 1 player from the state of Nevada was also the consensus No. 1 high school point guard in the country. Not to mention, Brown and McCoy played together in the 2017 McDonald’s All-American Game.
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The two led their West team to victory over the East, 109-107, from the United Center in Chicago. That could be the first of many W’s for the formidable duo.
NBA and college scouts have collaborated to rank McCoy compositely as a 9.9 prospect out of a possible 10. That should tell you all you need to know right now.
We are just waiting on word from the McCoy camp concerning his college choice. It could happen any minute.
Keep in mind that Oregon is actively pursuing New Mexico graduate, Elijah Brown. He would be in a similar situation to that of Dylan Ennis next season. The former Lobo averaged 18.8 points per game last year. He would add immediate scoring, experience and leadership.
The Ducks have also been associated with rumors concerning Duke’s Chase Jeter. The 6-foot-10 forward from Las Vegas has Gonzaga, Oregon and Cal on his transfer wish list.
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