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Georgia Tech Basketball Recruiting: Tucker cuts Georgia Tech, down to two schools

By Dylan Callaghan-Croley

Feb 21, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; A general view of McCamish Pavilion during the national anthem prior to the game between the North Carolina State Wolfpack and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 21, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; A general view of McCamish Pavilion during the national anthem prior to the game between the North Carolina State Wolfpack and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
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One of Georgia Tech’s top targets in Jordan Tucker has cut the Yellow Jackets from his choices.

Four-star small forward Jordan Tucker has cut his list down to two schools as he nears his decision on Saturday. The two schools that will be going up against each other for the New York natives talents are Duke and Syracuse, leaving Georgia Tech with no chance.

As reported on Wednesday, it appeared that Duke had become the favorite to land the 6-foot-7 forward after offering him last Sunday. The Blue Devils offered Tucker one day after losing out on five-star Kevin Knox. Ever since the offer, all of Tucker’s recruiting momentum has gone towards the Blue Devils.

Syracuse was an early play for Tucker in his recruitment and early on seemed like where he would end up. Then last fall, it appeared as though both Tucker and Syracuse backed off on each other and Indiana then took his top spot. Once Indiana fired Tom Crean, the Orange saw their opportunity to get back into his recruitment. For a while, it appeared as though the Orange would have to battle it out with Georgia Tech. The Orange are by no means the favorites to land Tucker but it can’t be ruled out. After all, Tucker is a New York native and has the chance to return home to play his college hoops.

Oregon and Villanova were two other schools that Tucker had expressed interest in during his recruitment.

What it means for Georgia Tech:

For Georgia Tech, it obviously means missing out on a top prospect. However, if there is one thing evident by Tucker’s recruitment it’s that Georgia Tech was a long-shot no matter what. By coming down to the choices of Syracuse and Duke, the Yellow Jackets were at best third in his recruitment. If Duke never came calling last Sunday, Tucker would most likely be putting on a Syracuse uniform next fall.

With that being said, missing out on Tucker is not the end of the world for the program. While it appears that another top target in M.J Walker is headed to Virginia Tech, the Jackets have a whole clean slate to work with in the 2018 recruiting class. The 2017 recruiting class is most likely finished for the Yellow Jackets who will finish with four commitments. While not the strongest class in the ACC (currently 11th), the class will be one that helps set the foundation for the future of the program.