4* 2016 Power Forward Decommits from UVA: What does it mean for Wake Forest?

We’re nearing one of the most exciting times of the year in college basketball recruiting as the summer AAU circuit is beginning and top players across the nation are all trimming their lists of potential future schools. One of those players, 4* Power Forward Sacha Killeya-Jones, was thought to be off the Deacons’ radar after he committed to UVA back in early January, but Wake now might be back in play for the talented big man. Killeya-Jones announced on Tuesday night that he was decommitting from the Cavaliers and reopening his recruitment, looking to schedule more visits and reconsider his options.

Top-100 big man Sacha Killeya-Jones has backed off his pledge to Virginia | http://t.co/5vSBULEnii | pic.twitter.com/92NuiqcuM8

— Rob Harrington (@Rob_Harrington) June 2, 2015

This is good news for Wake Forest for multiple reasons. For one, UVA had the top recruiting class in the nation according to 247sports with Killeya-Jones committed, and whenever fellow ACC competition misses out on big-time prospects, it is definitely positive news for the Deacs on the court. However, most importantly, it might mean that Wake is back in the mix for the North Carolina native, having already offered and had him visit campus last year. We’ve already seen how Manning can land high-profile big men with his recruiting pitches and one would have to think Wake absolutely has a shot at Killeya-Jones if the staff makes him a priority.

#Bolt: Wake Forest HC Danny Manning watching Sacha Killeya-Jones & Justice Kithcart per @Coach_Rick57 http://t.co/kXrl3y2LTC @WakeForest247

— Jerry Meyer (@jerrymeyer247) December 4, 2014

Obviously, the fight to gain his commitment will be no easy task, however, as top 50 players in the country are always heavily sought after, and considering Killeya-Jones has jumped nearly 80 spots in the 247sports rankings since he committed, there will undoubtedly be some high-major schools who didn’t get the chance to offer him before now calling his phone. Not to mention he already holds offers from UNC, Georgetown, and Notre Dame and visited Duke last fall.

Would I bet the house on Manning getting Killeya-Jones to commit to the Deacons? Absolutely not. Is it possible that Wake is a sleeper to land him having shown significant interest before and the coaching staff already proven it can land players of his caliber? Definitely. We’ll know soon enough if the Deacs are back in the Killeya-Jones sweepstakes, but based on how interested Manning was last year, I’d be stunned if he didn’t immediately become a priority for the 2016 class.

As always, you can follow me on Twitter @DeacFan3 for daily Wake Forest recruiting news and updates.

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