Pitino, UofL set for humongous recruiting weekend

Since Rick Pitino has been head coach at the university of Louisville, there haven’t been many bigger recruiting weekends than the one this weekend. Pitino and his staff are welcoming in six top recruits from the 2013 and 2014 classes, including a pair of transfers from Virginia Tech. Here are the prospects visiting Louisville this weekend:

Montrezl Harrell

You probably already know about Harrell. He’s a bruising 6-7 power forward from the 2012 class who originally signed with Virginia Tech, but asked for his release following Seth Greenberg’s dismissal. Harrell comes from Hargrave Military Academy, formerly coached by current UofL assistant Kevin Keatts. The Cards are currently the clear team to beat for the top 75 recruit and if any of these visitors were to announce a decision, Harrell is the most likely to do so.

Dorian Finney-Smith

Dorian Finney-Smith was a five-star prospect from the 2011 class who just completed his freshman season at Virginia Tech. Like Harrell, he also asked for his release following the Hokies’ coaching change. As a freshman in the ACC, the 6-8 Finney-Smith averaged 6.3 points and 7.0 rebounds per game en route to being named the All-ACC freshmen team. Also like Harrell, Kevin Keatts is the connection here as Finney-Smith’s brother played for Keatts at Hargrave.

Jordan Mickey

Louisville typically doesn’t get too many kids from the state of Texas, but they will welcome in a five-star prospect from the Lone Star state in 2013 power forward Jordan Mickey. The 6-7 Mickey, a native of Arlington, Texas, is rated the no. 6 power forward by Scout.com and a top 30 recruit overall.

Jajuan Johnson

Johnson visits the Cards out of Memphis, Tennessee and is rated a four-star prospect in the ’13 class. The 6-5 shooting guard is ranked no. 4 at his position and is also a top 30 overall recruit. UofL assistant Wyking Jones is responsible for bringing in Mickey and Johnson.

Keita Bates-Diop

A top 40 prospect in the 2014 class, Bates-Diop is a 6-7 forward with a reported seven foot wingspan. He’s from Bloomington, Illinois and is also seeing interest from schools such as Purdue, DePaul, Michigan and Northwestern. UofL assistant Kareem Richardson is the connection here.

Malek Harris

The four-star Harris is an AAU teammate of Keita Bates-Diop and is a 6-6 forward. Harris has solid perimeter skills and has good shooting ability. He is also receiving interest from the same schools as Bates-Diop.