University of Virginia men’s basketball class of 2020 commitment Carson McCorkle helped Garner Road Gold to a 5-1 record and a runner-up finish in the 17U Elite Championship at last weekend’s Hoop Group Southern Jam Fest.
The 6’3” guard, a rising senior at Greensboro Day (Greensboro, N.C.) and Raleigh (N.C.) native, opened with a 22-point performance in a 73-47 win over MD Movement last Friday night. A 32-point outing in a victory on Saturday and 15 points in the bracket play semifinal win over K-Low Elite on Sunday are among the other notable performances from the future Hoo.
Clint Jackson and Corey Evans of Rivals.com were on hand for some of last weekend’s action in Hampton and tweeted about McCorkle.
Carson McCorkle is ballin here at #HGJamfest . Terrific handler. Nice athlete. Elite shot-maker. Looks like a surfer. But doesn’t ball like one. #uvaguard
— Clint Jackson (@clintjackson1) May 17, 2019
Really like the @garnerroad bunch. Even better that David West is coaching. Has a tenacious rebounder with UNC bound DayRon Sharpe; much improved athlete with Virginia recruit Carson McCorkle; lastly, major long-term, sleeper wing with Justin Thomas
— Corey Evans (@coreyevans_10) May 18, 2019
As far as highlights of the standout prospect, here is one from Twitter …
✈️ Carson McCorkle TAKEOFF @carson_m2433 @GRoadBBall #HGJamfest pic.twitter.com/a70CMseMN3
— Hoop Group (@TheHoopGroup) May 18, 2019
… and here are some more below from the YouTube video produced by Hoops HQ. McCorkle, a noted Larry Bird fan who is donning #33 in gray, has highlights at the following times: 2:36, 3:22, 4:00, 5:18, 8:09
McCorkle’s plus performance in Hampton comes off a standout performance for Garner Road at the April 26-28 Adidas Gauntlet, where he averaged 16 points in four games. Garner Road went undefeated during that weekend.
UPDATE: The following highlights of McCorkle in Hampton were tweeted after the initial posting of this article.
🎥 Carson McCorkle (@carson_m2433) highlights for @GRoadBBall at Southern Jam Fest #HGJamfest pic.twitter.com/qjSvflv7x1
— Hoop Group (@TheHoopGroup) May 21, 2019
Morsell Preparing For UVA
The departures of Ty Jerome, Kyle Guy and De’Andre Hunter to the 2019 NBA Draft have paved the way for consensus 4-star shooting guard Casey Morsell to have an opportunity to have a major role in the Cavalier backcourt next season. The St. John’s College (Washington, D.C.) star is working hard in preparation.
Wash Post 1st Team All-Met & UVA commit Casey Morsell pre-college shooting workout. pic.twitter.com/zMaeENzWyj
— ALL-MET ELITE (@all_metelite) May 20, 2019
Waiting Game Continues
Former Marquette standouts Sam (6’8” G/F) and Joey Hauser (6’9” F/C) are expected to make their transfer destination(s) known this week, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported last Friday. The Journal Sentinel also reported that Wisconsin remains the likely choice for both brothers, who took official visits to UW, Virginia and Michigan State since announcing their departure from Marquette in early April.
In addition to the Hauser brothers, Virginia is awaiting word from Mamadi Diakite. The 6’9” forward has one year of eligibility remaining at UVA but is testing the NBA Draft waters. Diakite was invited to and participated in the NBA G League Camp; however, he was not invited to the NBA Draft Combine, likely a significant blow to his chances of being drafted next month.
While there is no information as to which way Diakite may be leaning, we do know he has until May 29 to withdraw from the draft.
Between the Hauser brothers and Diakite, we should have much more clarity on the 2019 and 2020 recruiting fronts by Wednesday (May 29) of next week. Include Diakite and Virginia has two scholarship spots available on the 2018-19 roster. Junior College All-American Guard Tomas Woldetensae signed with the Hoos last week. The 21-year old with two years of eligibility remaining should be able to help UVA right away, helping to fill scoring and ballhandling needs. The Cavaliers still could use help in the backcourt, however, and may look to add a graduate transfer for next season.