NCAA Basketball Notebook: Two 2017 prospects cut lists

2017 6’11” center Malik Williams has become a rising prospect this spring/summer for his excellent play on the AAU circuit. While he was the only top-45 prospect that didn’t compete with on a shoe company circuit, he shined bright with Team Legit, showing off his athleticism, length, frame, and mobility.

Williams cut his list down to eight schools on Monday. The list consisted of North Carolina State, Georgetown, Michigan State, Iowa, UCLA, Louisville, Purdue and hometown Indiana.

Williams, a four-star prospect that is ranked 42nd in ESPN’s top 100, has great hands (which can help him mold into an excellent pick-and-roll big) and he scores effectively in the paint. The Fort Wayne, Indiana native looks like a player that eventually has high NBA upside because of his physical tools, developing offensive game and impressive ability to protect the rim defensively.

D.J. Harvey Jr. chops list to 10

A 6’5″, 205 pound 2017 shooting guard/small forward, D.J. Harvey Jr., has cut his list to 10 schools: Notre Dame, Texas, UConn, Maryland, Arizona, Oklahoma, Villanova, UCLA, Duke and Louisville.

The two most significant offers are from Duke (which he received last summer) and the defending National Champion Villanova Wildcats.

Harvey is a four-star recruit from Bowie, MD, who is ranked 36th in ESPN’s top 100 for the class of 2017. He is the number one player in the state of Maryland (one of the reasons the Terps are after him), and is the eighth ranked player at this position.

The DeMatha Catholic High School star has solid size for a wing, is an excellent transition player (can handle the ball very well), can attack the rim and finish through contact, and can knock down open shots from the perimeter. He is also a very effective rebounder at his position.

If he improves his defense, strength and decision making, Harvey could be a great college talent and a future pro.