Terp-Centric Basketball Recruiting Weekend Wrap: Jefferson Recruitment Widens; Catch Macon on ESPN3 at 4:00

With the recent list cuts of Jerami Grant and Arnaud Adala Moto, premier SF targets like Amile Jefferson have become of paramount importance. But his recruitment doesn't seem to be winding down. In fact, it's continuing to ramp up.

"I have been talking to Alabama lately and my father has been talking to St. John's," said Jefferson. [...]

Jefferson did mention that NC State and Illinois are the programs likely recruiting the hardest. But whatever program does get him is likely going to have to beat out hometown program Villanova for his services, as Jefferson has many friends on the team now and in the future, including Class of 2012 commits Savon Goodman and Daniel Ochefu.

"Those guys have been my friends for a while. We played in the same league for a long time, so when we make a decision they'll definitely have some influence, but I still have to make the decision for myself. But I would love to play with those guys. Each and every one of them I have become close friends with."

Jefferson did mention that he wanted to visit Maryland, in addition to NC State, Wake Forest, Pitt, and Ohio State. He's had a killer summer and will likely be top 20 across the board when rankings are updated in the coming weeks. It's starting to look like he might go into spring, and his recruitment will probably be a knock-down-drag-out war. Nova looks like a frontrunner, but it still seems like Maryland, N.C. State, and perhaps Ohio State are in the top tier for him. Again: it'll be a battle, but Maryland has a fighting chance.

Meanwhile, Jeff Borzello, who was in Orlando for both the Super Showcase as well as AAU Nationals, published his wrap from the two events. Standout performers included the Harrisons (duh) and also Jake Layman.

Andrew Harrison, Houston Defenders: With a game that reminds some of Dwyane Wade, Harrison is unarguably the best guard in the country - regardless of class. He is impossible to stay in front of because of quickness and handle, and his 6-foot-5 size makes him a matchup nightmare. [...]

Jake Layman, BABC: Layman has broken out as much as anyone the past few weeks, with some saying he's a future pro. The King Phillip (Mass.) product is very long and skilled on the wing, but is athletic and quick enough to guard any perimeter position.

As for Andrew, Wade is a good comparison, though Harrison is bigger and not quite the scoring threat that D-Wade is. Regarding Layman: again, he'll make his living at every level on his defensive potential. He can guard anyone 1-4 - he's like a Chris Singleton, though not nearly as strong.

But AAU Nationals isn't actually over just yet. There's one more game left - the 4:00 title between YOMCA, led by Jarnell Stokes and Shaquille Goodwin, against All-Ohio Red, featuring Maryland target Elijah Macon. And you can see it on ESPN3. I'm intrigued to see Macon's game, so I'll be watching for sure.

While a bunch of teams battled in Orlando, smaller regional tournaments were taking place all over the country. In DC, for example, there was D.C. Assault's Big Shots tournament, featuring teams from all up and down the east coast. One of the big names at the event was Daniel Dingle, a 6-6 forward who plays for Long Island Lightning and has enjoyed a relative breakout summer. He lists a new Maryland offer:

"Right now my recruitment is going good," Dingle said Sunday. "I just got a scholarship offer from Maryland. [As well as interest and offers from] Arizona, Temple, Dayton, Miami, Florida and Texas.

Dingle is starting to think about where he will visit in the coming month.

"I'll probably visit Arizona or go back to Auburn again," he said.

Dingle is a three-star type, probably eventually in Rivals' 150 but not anyone's top 100. I'm not sure that offer is "committable" quite yet, but, as I said in a different thread, it's about building backup options should the unlikely happen and Maryland whiffs on everyone.

I saw Dingle play once back in the start of summer, when his team played Seth Allen's at the Reebok Breakout Challenge (televised online); I have no idea what position he'll play in college, but he can really do a lot on the court. In that sense, he's like a mini-Amile Jefferson. He'll probably end up as an undersized 4 as he does spend most of his halfcourt time in the paint, but he runs the floor really well and has a nice little mid-range jumper.

In the same article, Nate Britt mentions five schools showing the most interest: Virginia, Maryland, VIllanova, Arizona, and Georgetown. I feel almost guilty with the guard options in 2013.

To sober me (and you) up a bit: Danuel House has a top 5, and Maryland isn't in it. He hasn't been listing the Terps for months now; you can cross him off the list for good.

If that got you too down, here's another 5-minute Mitch McGary highlight reel. He does a lot offensively again, but his shot-blocking ability gets a lot of camera time here, too. I'm starting to wonder if there's anything he can't do.

And I know this is a basketball post (obviously), but one bit of football news: Stefon Diggs cut (well, kind of cut) his list to 15. Maryland, of course, made it. Not much of a reduction, but you have to start somewhere.