Where Turner, Brown and the rest will end up

Kevin McCarthy
 

So who is going where? The members of the NorCalPreps.com 2011 Top 10 will enjoy plenty of options but where do you think each player will end up?

Here's our best -- albeit very early -- shot at divining the college to which each player will eventually choose. Results may vary according to the imposition of reality.

1. Josiah Turner, Sacramento High, PG, 6-3 - He won't need to leave the West Coast if he so chooses but the NCP crystal ball says Kansas will be the winner for Turner's signature on a letter of intent. The Jayhawks need some major upgrading in the backcourt and Turner does that as a frosh.
2. Ramon Eaton, Sheldon, Sacramento, F, 6-8 - Do he and cousin Darius Nelson go tag-team to the same college? We're attaching Oregon to Eaton as new coach Dana Altman has to upgrade the Duck talent and athletic. level. Sorry but we just don't see UTEP in play despite how often it's mentioned. You decide: Eugene (Nikeville) or El Paso?
3. Jabari Brown, Oakland High, W, 6-4 - Cal would probably rename the Campanile to Brown Tower during his tenure if Jabari goes the Bear route but the tarot cards say it's Washington if he goes PAC-10. Why not UCLA? Two words: Drew Gordon. Regardless, it's going to be an elite destination for the ultra scorer so we can't see a middle-of-the-pack ACC or other school receiving his paperwork. Why are Duke, North Carolina and Kentucky absent at this point?
4. Darius Nelson, Sheldon, Sacramento, W, 6-6 - The offers are for the taking from across the nation and his brother enjoyed his time on the east coast as a Dookie. For a number of reasons -- college position, remaining healthy -- this is the hardest one to forsee. Maybe webbed feet is in his future? Or possibly Cal. He's going to remain in the west.
5. Kiwi Gardner, Manteca High, PG, 5-7 - Washington is nosing around Manteca and connected to the Soldiers but also involved with multiple point prospects. We say Gardner is Seattle-bound if his academics are in order. What to watch for: can the Huskies lure Jahii Carson out of the state of Arizona? If so, that definitely sends Gardner elsewhere. Want a wildcard choice: try UNLV because Kiwi in Vegas, no, make that Kiwi IS Vegas.
6. Kori Babineaux, Folsom High, SG, 6-3 - He takes it to the gridiron.
7. Juan Anderson, Castro Valley High, W, 6-5 - Anderson may be the most fascinating prospect to watch in that he'll likely face this choice: heading to the PAC-10 where he may not become an (immediate) impact player or light up the West Coast Conference or Western Athletic Conference from the get-go as a star. Cal will be in the mix and hard to ignore.
8. Roderick Bobbitt, Castro Valley High, PG, 6-2 - Around and around the recruiting wheel goes until his ticket is punched for St. Mary's.
9. TJ Taylor, Oakland High, PG, 5-9 - Formerly aligned with Santa Clara, Taylor now has multiple options. We've been listening to the tweets of the birdies flitting around but our guess is his eventual landing spot remains wide open at this point. San Diego State has offered so right now we're leaning in that direction as the backcourt firm of Tapley, Thames and Taylor certainly rolls off the tongue.
10. Robert Garrett, Sacramento High, C, 6-11 - This one will be fascinating because height brings many more options such as Garrett and the Big East or the PAC-12. High major colleges will have to decide if he is of enough potential value to wait out his in-progress development or does he drop some and go with a school and conference where he could earn earlier playing time? Try Cal and we don't mean Calipari.